Paradox, Nostalgia and Empathy Of The “Beautiful Chaos” Art Exhibition

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