Simeon Mpamugoh
Chief Executive Officer, Simpli International, Engr Bruno Eke, has said that the reason art is not fathomed as part of aesthetics in many homes and public places is because it is an emerging culture, adding that “if art events continue the way they are going, more Nigerian would start having artworks in their homes.
Eke who spoke to our correspondent in Lagos shortly after his return from a successful International Culture and Art Festival (ICAF) organised by his company in Malta, said that it was not the job of an engineer to work out the aesthetics of a building but the architect.
He said: “When you say the engineer, he doesn’t look at that, he is more bothered about the structure; to ensure that the structure is okay and can stand the test of time. I think it is the architect that designs the structure that should begin to consider most building plans.
“You know art has to do with the person that owns the building. It is more about Nigerian appetite. But a lot of Nigerians these days now consider having artworks: paintings and sculpted works in their homes.
Also, we try to talk to our African artists about pricing, which is an issue to people’s earning power; how much are people willing to pay to get these art pieces to people’s home?
“An artist can have original work and at the same time produce from the same piece more duplicate copies that are probably more affordable than the original work. This was also re-echoed in the exhibition we had in Malta. We were told that an artist can do good work, and also produce another one that is more affordable. Yet, it will original before the collector. ‘It is the artist only that can spot the difference in terms of efforts. So, affordability is very important in art because if people are spending their money, they do so base on priority. I think art for homes and public places is an emerging culture and if art events continue the way they are is going, most Nigerians would start having artworks in their homes.
“Already, the Chinese have taken over that market from us. You see people on the streets selling printed and framed Chinese artworks done in China whereas our own artists are not taking advantage of that market. They have beaten our people to the price and perfection in their printed artworks. It is a huge potential, and artists can make a lot of money from it,” he said