Determined to protect and promote the interest of full time professional Fine Artists as never before, the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GPFAN) held its inaugural induction ceremony at Terrakulture, Victoria Island in Lagos, last Saturday.

The occasion witnessed people from all walks of life with some notable Nigerian artists like Professor Yusuf Grillo, David Dale, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Toyin Akinosho, Kolade Oshinowo, former National President, Society of Nigerian Artists, Mr Sammy Olagbaju, Chairman, VASON among many others.

The occasion provided a platform for artists to rebrand their art especially the professional body, which needed to re-position itself as the fulcrum of true national development through the vehicle of creativity on which visual art is premised.

Popular art collector, Engr Yemisi Shyllon was on hand to commend the artists on their achievements so far. He extolled seasoned artists like Yusuf Grillo, Kolade Oshinowo, David Dale and Bruce Onobrakpeya, whose works have travelled across Europe and America. He also counselled the artists on re-branding, noting that a new image should be brokered to allow growth and development of visual arts.

The group, which had kept the business of art at the corporate and gallery levels afloat through thick and thin is traced to early 1980s when a group of young studio conscious artists started a silent movement of professional activism. Then it was an enduring product of a chain of actions, reactions, and inactions bordering on professional concerns.

As narrated by Bunmi Babatunde, this group of artists recognised a yawning gap to be filled by setting the tone for professionalism amidst the indefinable prism of art practice in the country.
As a result, they started establishing ethical standard and rules that would encourage and enhance proper practice of art. They also sought to establish professionalism in the practice as against the poor public perception as a trade or craft among many other visions.

In his comment, Yinka Fisher, Chairman, Board of Trustees, noted that the process of GPFAN to enhance professionalism amongst the practitioners was a step in the right direction.
His words, “the Nigerian art scene is marturing everyday both in terms of works being produced by professionals living off their creative skills and also the art market, where commercial transactions take place between different principal actors, collectors, galleries, artists themselves through private treaty, exhibition sales and auction.”

He therefore observed that, the concept of the guild to provide an umbrella for Fine Art practitioners to share their common interests and help one another to improve and sharpen their skills is a welcome addition to the Nigerian art scene.

Fisher said that the artists would derive collateral benefits from the guild and such services as authentication of works, providing valuable and accurate data of the artists and work would be of tremendous assistance in the maturing process of the art market.

On his part, Edosa Ogiugo, President, GPFAN, explained that “in the past we have heard and seen artists as individuals through solo effort which had made it complex and difficult for partnerships and collaboration from corporate organisations to appreciate the essence and inherent benefits associated with the art industry as a veritable component of the economy.”

Ogiugo added that, this has resulted in the unfavourable disposition of the corporate social responsibility policy formation of these organisations towards the visual artn sector.

He noted that art remains a compulsory part of the educational curriculum in many parts of the world becaue it is seen as a fundamental and developmental part of human capacity building, which multiplier effect is limitless. “This has in no small measure added to the economic strength and mental disposition of these nations,” he added.

He stated further that many irritating issues would soon be discussed as the association launched its agenda.

The artist, noted furthermore that, were it not for the visionary spirit, enduring faith to principles of studio practice and commitment to the nation building by the Nigerian artists, the Nigerian visual art industry would have been grappling with the realities of extinction by now.

Ogiugo` observed that “in spite of the huge possibilities and potentials of this emerging giant sub-sector of the Nigerian economy, the most apparent and vivid threat to its crystallization is the psychological and economic well-being of the professional artist, who is the foundation block of this structure.”
He however maintained that visual art helps in cultivating the mind’s eye, it revives values and brings to the fore the right atmosphere that inspires excellence.