National Art Gallery can encourage Artist from the grassroots —Archie

Archie-Abia Godwin is a visual Artist who has auctioned several Art works. He spoke with ADEOLA OGUNRINDE on many issues of art. Excerpts

Why did you go into Art?

I am called to be an Artist. I did not study Art, I studied English and International Relations. I have been into Arts for more than 25 years after my calling.

What was the first collection of Art that you created which you sold to a corporate organisation?

That was many years ago, an institution gave me a contract to furnish their office with Art work but I have been selling Art works before then. I have also sold works abroad. In 1996 Atlanta 1996 an Art collector bought works from me and took it to America for exhibition. I also recycle works, bone collapse, sculpting. I use metal fiber glass, colours. I play with so many materials. I am inspired by the spirit.

Where have you exhibited your collections?

I have exhibited at Didi Museum in 1996, I exhibited in Bishop Vining in GRA. I have also exhibited when NEWS Magazine organized an Art exhibition. I have also been doing some private shows nearly every two months. My works have also been exhibited abroad through art collectors

Who are your major collectors?

They are many, individuals include Bart de Bruyne who is based in Germany, Felix Bonati, Luckson Orunma. Institutions who have bought my works include Nigerian Ports Authority, Cardbury, Dangote, Covenant University, just to mention a few.

What are the  challenges?

When we started, people did not appreciate Arts but now things have changed. Corporate people and private people are taking Arts in a serious form. The government should create an enabling environment for Artist. It is not only oil the government should invest in. In America through their films their government earn something, even in India with Bollywood. The government should provide an enabling environment for the Artist, they should encourage cooperate organization to promote Art exhibitions. The federal government should give tax relive to Organisations that promote Arts. Our roundabouts should be adorned with Art works.

Do you believe tax relieve to private organisations will improve the promotion of Arts?

Yes, government should give tax relive to those who promote Art, this will encourage other organisations to promote Arts piece, that is done in other countries. This will stimulate the economy. One Artist is like an industry. Where I am doing a commission job, I employ more than six Artist.

Does the visual artist have the challenge of Piracy?

It is not common, the Artist can draw his inspiration from other Artist but the work cannot be the same. Visual Artist need to be original.

Who are the Artist that have impacted you.

The masters, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Aina Onabolu and the others. Nigeria Art has come to stay , some Artist go to Dubai. We also have the Art House that auction Visual Art.

Do you think the auctioning of visual art works of young artist can help develop the Art?

Yes, those auctioning Art in this country should look beyond the masters and auction works of young artist that are very talented. For you to grow the economy in the Art world, the older Artist should be there, the young Artist should also be there. The new government should draft in a programme to exhibit Art works in all our embassies across the world. They can sell Artist through that which can attract interested buyers around the world.

Football has made a lot of money for a country like Brazil because of our talented footballers. Our states should also have Art galleries across the world. I appeal to the government anyone they want to choose for minister for Culture, should be a professional who will earnest all this things I am saying. Our embassies should be able to organise exhibitions, draw artist from every geo-political zone. The National Gallery did it in the past but now I don’t know what is going on.

Are you saying the National Gallery is not serving its purpose anymore?

I am not saying that because I don’t know their programme. I won’t sit down here to criticize what I don’t know but 15 years ago National Gallery of Nigeria use to take works of Artist out Nigeria to exhibit, we should be able to have National Galleries in all the 36 states so that we can draw young Artist from the grassroots. We should think Art because Art is everything.