Paradox, Nostalgia and Empathy Of The “Beautiful Chaos” Art Exhibition
by Alewa House, published 3 years, 2 months ago
Unarguably, the year 2020 would travel down history’s lane and clinch for itself a space on the hall of fame as one riddled with the most life-changing of events that held the world by its jugular, threatening to split it asunder. Despite the prickly blows that came with the year, it is interesting to see that amidst the groping in the dark, amidst the sprinklings of uncertainties and despair; the ruggedness of hope emanates regardless. Therefore, to commence the new year (2021), the recently concluded Arts Exhibition “Beautiful Chaos” in Jos, Nigeria, proved that in all that the previous year threw in our faces, onus lies on all and sundry to preserve every intricate piece of information; to nurture the feelings of fear, anxiety, and every other human emotions we felt- and most importantly to participate in telling the true stories, and bequeathing down to posterity.
Kenri Tony-Doohwan, 2020, 2020, Ink on paper. Photo Courtesy of JAGO.
Alewa House, in collaboration with JAGO – Jos Art Gallery Online brought this historic art exhibition curated by Ponchang Kumven to fruition. The art exhibition which opened on the 22nd – 24th of January was themed: “Beautiful Chaos: Disruption, Transformation and Creativity”, and featured artworks inspired by the chaos which riddled the year 2020: COVID-19 pandemic; the 9 month long ASUU strike which kept a large portion of the country’s university students out of school; and the #EndSAR Protests.
"Beautiful Chaos" Art Exhibition Flier. Photo Courtesy Of JAGO.
It is both interesting as well as mind boggling to consider the paradoxical flare with which the exhibition was named: “Beautiful Chaos”. To scratch beyond the surface to the core would reveal that in spite of how chaotic the previous year unfolded, [COVID inclusive], in spite of the misdemeanors that has its claws deep into the Nigerian socio-political space, we see pockets of beauty that reminds us to hang positivity like an ornament around our necks, and that when we reach our lowest, we reinforce and fan the embers of hope.
Plangji Challa, Beautiful Chaos, 2020, Acrylic on Canvas. Photo Courtesy of JAGO.
The exhibition featured 8 artists: Judith Daduut (Young Contemporaries’ 2020 finalist), Plangji Challa, Mangai Dawang, Victor Elayo, Tony Kenri, Rike Christian, Nenman Goki, Nentawe Gokwat, Mala Iwa Gbado Ikaleku. And photographs from 16 Photographers: Lazham Gaina, Zayn Yusuf Ali, Beka Nenzar, Epaphras Obed, Benedict Pawa, Lawunna Yilwada, Martha Datong, Andy Chantu, Victor Atang, Gyang Daweng, Raphael Ogbodo, Amanda Jeremih, Victor Idi Peters, Twamsen Danaan, Emmanuel Morgan Ishaya and Kenneth Obinna. It also included pieces from inspiring amateur artists: Makut Macham, an architect who used the Covid-19 lockdown to reignite his passion for painting, and Holiare Manga, a 500 level medical student from the University of Jos who spent a portion of the ASUU strike to learning how to crochet, and is presently good enough to make crochet pieces for prospective clients.
"Beautiful Chaos" Exhibition Space. Photo Courtesy of JAGO.
The exhibition which ran for three days sought to, and did successfully ignite a sense of nostalgia in the minds of people who were part of the #EndSARS protest, and conjure a empathy from people who didn’t experience the #EndSARS protest firsthand. Like most artistic engagements, the exhibition promoted creativity, participation in decision making especially in the continuous effort to build and defend democracy by the citizenry, and most importantly opened minds of exhibition visitors to the positive side of chaos, as an integral part of change opening us to creativity and progressive change.
Ponchang Kumven, Curator Of "Beautiful Chaos" Art Exhibition. Photo Courtesy Of JAGO.
Photo Courtesy Of Sketch.
"Ladders Of History". Photo Courtesy Of Sketch.
Photo Courtesy Of JAGO
Featured Articles
Press Release: The Jos Festival of Storytelling (Beyond what you are told)
by Alewa House, published 11 months, 4 weeks ago
The Jos Festival of Storytelling, an annual festival of the craft, will take place from April 28 to April 30, 2023. Especially powered by Egija Naija, Alewa House, and Everyday Money. The festival will feature a wide range of storytellers and performances that showcase storytelling's potential to uplift, inform, and entertain. Emerging storytellers, actors, dancers, spoken word performers, and authors will all perform during the event. During the festival, there will also be panel discussions, stage performances, and workshops to explore the craft of storytelling and its role in society.
"We're excited to be bringing together such a group of exceptionally talented storytellers and performers for the festival," said the festival's organisers, Omale Abraham. "Storytelling connects people to themselves, their environments and other people and we're excited to showcase the many different ways that stories can be used to create meaningful connections and build understanding."
The festival's opening ceremony will feature a keynote lecture by Profesor Ademiju Bepo Diran, former Head of Department of Theatre Art at the University of Jos, who will speak on the art of performance storytelling. Other festival highlights include performances by spoken word artists Younglan Ceazer, Envoi Vate, and Miss She. Dance by the Eagles, stage plays by Akolo Anthony James, Mark Musa and Omale Abraham and Art Exhibition by Onyechi Christina Ukeni.
In addition to the performances, the festival will include workshops that will explore many aspects of storytelling, such as how to develop appealing narratives and how to execute stories on stage, which will be facilitated by Dorcas Seffy Bello and Omale Abraham (Da Storyteller).
The event is designed to promote storytellers, the African storytelling tradition and Plateau State, as well as imprint the culture of storytelling in the minds of the younger generation, so as to sustain our history, culture and identity as a people.
You are part of US. So please be our guest. Tickets for the event are now available and may be purchased by dialing a number (+234 8142926295). Visit all of our social media handles @egijanaija for additional information on the festival's lineup and itinerary
Omale Abraham
Festival Director
Email: egijanaija@gmail.com
Phone: +234-8142926295
Herbeembola, with the support of Alewa House, announces the release of their song: Keke
by Alewa House, published 1 year, 2 months ago
As you may have already known, there are very few emerging female artists in the Nigerian music industry and Alewa House seeks to increase this demographic by increasing women participation. On this note, we present to you Herbeembola, the first Afrobeat Artist to ever enrol on the platform.
Herbeembola, with the support of Alewa House, announces the release of their song "Keke".
Keke is set to hit most streaming platforms worldwide on the 10th of February 2023.
We would love your support in allowing an exceptional music artist to reach a wider audience. Even as St. Valentine's love season approaches and love songs are the norm, this artist has a different perspective to unburden with this release.
Her vocal prowess shines forth from the intro, accompanied by an engrossing instrumental, while her message urges a disloyal lover out of her life. The blend of English and Yoruba language on this track is seamless as well as endearing, keeping you wanting more.
Herbeembola (Abimbola Oyewo) boldly launched her music career with a 5 song EP in 2021, including Soul, Pop, Afrobeat, and Dancehall genres. Having sung in the church choir from a young age, Herbeembola has been following a dream of becoming an icon of positive influence through music. She was largely influenced by Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Teni, Kizz Daniel, and very indigenous styles. Her dexterity is however not limited to attracting foreign consumers. It was well established in her last project, and "Keke" is a continuation of the journey of exploring her sound. She is convinced that floating a successful music career is her destined path in life.
Her achievements include Voice 2Rep "Top 10 Finalists Material" from a pool of over 1,000 artists.
You can connect with her on her social media handles as follows
Instagram: the_herbeembola
Twitter: The_herbeembola
Tiktok: @the_herbeembola