By Tadeniawo Collins
Award-winning Nigerian painter, Zinno Orara opened an 8-day exhibition of his works on Friday, December 5, 2014 to the utmost delight of art lovers and enthusiasts in Lagos.The exhibition, holding at Mydrim Gallery, 74B, Norman Williams Street, S/W Ikoyi is tagged Against All Odds in celebration of Zinno’s wife, Adaora who is currently battling breast cancer.
Accompanied by one of his daughters as he took guests and members of the press on tours through the beautiful gallery, Zinno described the paintings on display in detail and told the gripping stories behind each artwork and the thoughts that inspired them. Within hours of opening, several of the works on display were picked up by collectors and many more promised to return in the coming days.
Speaking on the ultimate inspiration behind the exhibition, the celebrated painter said: ‘Life’s heaviest burden is to have nothing to carry. The value of every person is determined by the sacrifices he is willing to make for others.’
Zinno Orara attended Government College, Ughelli and The School of Art and Design, Auchi Polytechnic. He graduated in 1988 with a Distinction in Painting and Illustration. He also holds a degree in Philosophy from The University of Lagos.
With twelve solo exhibitions and over twenty group exhibitions across Nigeria, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, Against All Odds is his thirteenth solo.
Present at the opening were celebrities like OAP Tosyn Bucknor, writers Toni Kan, Peju Akande, Azuh Arinze and Jahman Anikulapo, actress Oreka Godis, rapper, T.R; model, Sarah Ofili and filmmaker, Chris Ihidero.
Also present to support the exhibition was Ayeni Adekunle Samuel, gallery owner, Mrs Sinmi Adesanya and collectors such as Dotun Sulaiman and Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu among others.
The exhibition remains open until Friday, December 12, 2014 and opens from 9am daily.
See pictures from the exhibition below…