By Adewole Ajala
The restlessness and resourcefulness of the Nigerian artist was at it again. The year was running on empty but that did not stop the exhibition Stitches of Partnership from coming to life as the Lekki-based Nike Art Centre.
There was much to see in joint and individual pieces by Nike Okundaye and Tola Wewe as the pristine first floor of the captivating Lekki edifice was filled with the creative outpouring of these famed artists-stunning pieces that added strength to the exhibition title.
“It is like breaking new grounds for others to see how good your product has been,” Okundaye explained. “The title means that if you come together in harmony you’ll achieve greater heights in whatever you do.
According to Okundaye the path of both parties as creative partners for the exhibition was coincidental. Her scribbling on a piece Wewe was working on while they were both in California for another exhibition triggered their joint venture which engendered stunning pieces.
“We have done more than 30 works together and have sold more than ten of them. We were in California and someone commissioned Tola Wewe to do a painting. While he was doing the drawing I asked for it and put some designs on it. That was how we started.”
The famous artist added that this should be the trend in indigenous art instead of the current unhealthy rivalry that sees most names bickering for ephemeral things.
“Instead of the artists being jealous of one another the sky is big enough for all to fly. It is not about the money but to show how people can come together and work in spirit,”the artist said.
The ability to blend was another highlight of the day and this was easy as Wewe’s inspiration by Ife adire was close to Okundaye’s concerns with patterns and women issues. There was also a pseudo-familial relationship between both of them.
“Promoting the work of women is my business and being like a mother to him our collaboration worked out. He is one of the most prolific artists in Nigeria and I am not saying this because he is close to me,” said Okundaye.
With both artists being extremely good at what they do; joint and individual works of varying sizes and hues reflected Wewe’s flair for colouration and traditional figures mixed with Okundaye’s striking designs. A captivating blend which makes you agree with the reality of Jess Castellote’s third artist.
“It is a good development and others should emulate it as the works they created jointly are more interesting than individual works. There is a third artist emerging and this third artist in some ways is better than the two of them,” the art critic said.
This view was corroborated by Gbenga Ofo, another artist who was present at the exhibition.
“Two artists coming together is an interesting development and a lot of people should see where they can influence one another in thought and ideas. Once you have the same flow you can do things together,” he said.
