Female Genital Mutilation Through the Eyes of Nigerian Artists

Nigerian art cannot be properly understood under one single heading or stylistic idiom. Instead, a great variety in styles suggests the formidable range of contemporary Nigerian artistic expression. Works for this exhibition illustrate the breadth and scope of creativity today.

Beyond a multiplicity of forms, however, all exhibited paintings and sculpture highlight the negative aspects of female genital mutilation, and, it is worth stressing, despite their innovative, even avant-garde subject matter, they also share one characteristic of Nigerian art in general: an openness to the past. Despite their participation in protest against an injustice rooted in custom, a great percentage of paintings displayed use elements of Nigerian cultural traditions. Pre-colonial Nigerian artists, not unlike those exhibited here, address recurrent themes such as fertility, female virtuosity, multiple births and maternity.

A new generation of artists has supplied fresh works for this exhibition, inspired by youth's ideals. These creators can best be described as the grandchildren of a 'parent stream' of indigenous painters and sculptors, with the present cohort taking their progenitors' history and adding to it a worldliness and knowledge drawn from international efforts to end genital cutting. The project communicates specific Nigerian experiences of FGM (female genital mutilation) as suffering, sorrow, and (economic) setback to viewers around the globe.

Sam Ovraiti, Curator and Former Lecturer, Painting & Drawing Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria

Juliet Ezenwa Nze

B.A. in education, fine arts degree 1990 from Brendel State University. Since 1990 she has had three solo and 15 group exhibitions. She works primarily in oil and water colors.

Silence?

Ufuoma Onobrakpeya

Born in 1971, he earned his Bachelor's in Painting from the University of Benin. He has been part of eight group exhibitions and has numerous solo exhibitions to his credit. He works in oils, pastel, deep etching techniques of printmaking and plastocast.

Female Genital Mutilation

Dele Campbell

A graduate in computer science from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Campbell has received numerous awards for her art. She debuted in 1998 and works primarily with foil and charcoal.

Untitled

Helen Idehen

The artist earned a Master's from the University of Benin, Nigeria. She teaches drawing and painting at Auchi Polytechnic.

The Unfulfilled

Stella Ubigho

Born in 1969, she earned a High National Diploma (H.N.D.) in painting at Auchi Polytechnic and has been represented in many group exhibitions in Nigeria. She works mainly in water colors, pastels, and oil.

Agony - an Experience I Will Never Forget

Godfrey Williams-Okorodus

Born in 1970, he has participated in at least 10 exhibitions locally and internationally. He works mainly in water colors and oil.

Defiance of Pain 1

Defiance 2

Alloysius Osagie

Born in 1965, he graduated from Auchi Polytchnic and in 1994 earned the Higher National Diploma (H.N.D.) in sculpture. He specializes in stone carving and junk sculpture, and he has taken part in numerous exhibitions.

Infibulation Stone

Angela Japhet

Born in 1968 in Delta State, the artist earned her H.N.D. at the Auchi Polytechnic in painting. She has held numerous solo and group exhibitions.

Instrument of the Act

Sam Ovraiti

Born in 1961, he was educated at Auchi Polytechnic and the University of Benin, graduating with the H.N.D. and a Master's in Fine Art. As best graduating student he received numerous academic awards. From 1985 to 1993 he taught painting and drawing at Auchi Polytechnic. Today he lives and works in Lagos. The artist is widely exhibited in Nigeria, Europe and the U.S.A.

Distorted Tracks

Osagie Aimufua

Born in 1969, he earned the N.H.D. in painting from Auchi Polytechnic. The artist has won numerous academic awards for painting, among them best student of the 1994 graduating class. He prefers oil, water colors and pastels.

Tears in Our Eyes

Wande George

Born in 1962, he earned the N.H.D. at Auchi Polytechnic in painting and illustration. Wande George presently works as a visualiser/illustrator at Lintas: Lagos, Nigeria's best known advertising agency. He has participated in several group exhibitions.

The Ugly Hand that Maims

Barbaric Act

The Child Weeps

Emmanuel Ekpeni

Born in 1958 in Delta State, Nigeria, the artist is presently active as a painter and lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic. He has participated in many local and international exhibitions.

The Victim

Ben Osaghae

Born in 1962, he earned his N.H.D. at Auchi Polytechnic in painting and illustration. At his graduation in 1986 he received the Rector's Certificate for Excellence. For many years he taught as senior instructor at his alma mater and has had several solo and group exhibitions.

Misery and the Spirit of Conquest

Menassah Imonikebe

A well-known Nigerian painter from Edo State, he has many solo and group exhibitions to his credit.

What if I Refuse?

Midnight Act