Four artists win N4m for turning waste to art
Four artists have been presented with a cheque of one million naira each in the just concluded ReCyclArt Initiative for successfully turning waste into art.
Ifedilichukwu Chibuike who won from the Abuja zone with the entry: Devolution of Power; Samson Ogundeji from Ogun zone with the entry: Egungun; Udeh Charles from Rivers zone with the entry: Soiled Soil and Dudu Emmanuel from Lagos zone with the entry: Undressed Identity emerged winners from a pool of 16 finalists.
Sponsors of the prize, Sterling Bank, said they decided to dole out the cash in order to encourage creativity within an eco-friendly system, as well as inspiring a new generation of artists.
Speaking at the British Council, Ikoyi venue of the grandfinale, Chief Marketing Officer of the bank Mr. Henry Bassey, said the idea of asking artists to create artworks from wastes was aimed at using the power of arts to awaken a change in attitude in how people relate to the environment.
According to Bassey, the response to calls for entries through social media, newspapers and television was remarkable with about 630 entries received across the country.
“Our esteemed panel of judges shortlisted 16 finalists from the 630 entries received on transforming old and reusable objects into amazing pieces of contemporary art for public spaces. The top 16 finalists created miniatures versions of their proposed works, which was submitted for exhibition during the recently held African Culture and Design Festival (ACDF), which had architects, designers and art connoisseurs from about 100 countries in attendance,” Bassey said.
He added that each of the four winners would have a solo installation/exhibition in a community park or space within his geographical zone, courtesy of the bank.
“Their eco-friendly art forms will advocate the cause of the environment by inspiring the masses to reuse and repurpose waste, which will in turn reduce our environmental challenges,” the Sterling Bank Chief Marketing Officer said.
One of the winners, Ifedilichukwu Chibuike, who spoke to journalists at the event, said he was overwhelmed with his victory. “This is the first time I am winning an award for creating a work of art. I am happy and overwhelmed. My name as an artist is being defined today by this award,” he said.