LIMCAF’s Big Night and the Business of Art

With Obi Asika chairing the gala and Paul Usoro lending his presence to the occasion, LIMCAF’s 19th edition is as much a celebration of young artists as a reminder of the corporate support the festival has struggled to secure despite nearly two decades of nurturing emerging talents. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

Finally, the Life in My City Art Festival – simply LIMCAF to its growing devotees and habitués – stomps into its much-anticipated grand finale exhibition week in Enugu in an even more upbeat mood. The festival, held at the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, culminates in a gala and awards night on Saturday, October 31, bringing its 19th edition, themed Open Letter, to a close.

Besides its customary business of bringing a fresh crop of emerging artists into the spotlight, the festival will, this year, also feature two prominent figures from Nigeria’s creative and corporate worlds, lending their weight to the proceedings.

As might be expected, the hallmark of the event is the recognition of outstanding artists. But the presence of Obi Asika, director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Paul Usoro, SAN, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), gives the occasion added weight.

Asika, a grandee of Nigeria’s creative industry, will chair the gala and awards night. He has the industry connections and experience having built a career in music and related industries as well as his links to the UK, to enable him steer the event to a success. His present perch at the helms of the NCAC should stand him in good stead to appreciate what LIMCAF has been doing from 2007 to take the visual arts out of the galleries and cultural institutions of the metropolitan areas.

Usoro represents a different section of the Establishment. He is a former president of the NBA, and a communications lawyer, having previously chaired Access Bank. He heads Paul Usoro & Co. Law firm in Victoria Island, Lagos. “LIMCAF provides a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work, engage with established practitioners and connect with wider audiences,” Usoro said. “The participation of distinguished personalities further enriches the festival and reinforces the importance of sustained support for the visual arts in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Adaora Oji-Ngwu, the executive director of the Life In My City Art Foundation, called the grand finale the end result of months of activities across the country, as well as the efforts of the artists, partners, and supporters who kept the festival going.

“The grand finale celebrates the artistic achievements of the participants. It provides us the opportunity to strengthen our relationships and conversations with colleagues in Nigeria for the advancement of the visual arts,” she said.

Among other events, there will be art and craft exhibitions, artist tours of Enugu, a party, Prof. Jacob Onoja’s lecture, a fashion show, a film screening, and spoken word performances, and a tribute to Obiora Udechukwu, artist and co-founder of AKA Circle of Artists, in addition to the national exhibition that formally opens on Wednesday, October 28.

Events associated with AKA will feature the publication, Kindred Spirits: The AKA Circle of Exhibiting Artists, by Iheanyi Onwuegbucha. A historical discussion on artist-led initiatives in Eastern Nigeria will accompany the publication. The discussion will unravel artists’ frustrations with exhibition opportunities and taking the initiative to organise exhibitions. This is history that younger artists should know.

Thus, Udechukwu and the AKA Circle bring an earlier chapter of Eastern Nigeria’s art history to LIMCAF. Though the festival is focused on emerging artists, its participants ought to recognise other chapters of history as well.

Currently in its 19th year, LIMCAF deserves recognition as Nigeria’s longest running art festival. The fact that it has endured as the only existing art festival that is youth-focused and growing over the years should have earned it more significant and sustained corporate sponsorship.

Now, it has matured and attracted the interest of prominent personalities in the field of visual arts and beyond, including Bruce Onobrakpeya, El Anatsui, Obiora Udechukwu, the late Ola Oloidi, the late Okwui Enwezor, the late Olabisi Silva and Kolade Oshinowo. Anatsui, for one, funds the annual all-expenses-paid two week trips of the festival’s top six winners to the Dak’Art, the Dakar Art Biennale. Others who have taken interest in LIMCAF include Jerry Buhari, curator of this year’s grand finale exhibition, Kunle Filani, Sani Mu’azu, Peju Layiwola, Joe Musa, Frank Ugiomoh, Sam Ovraiti, Blaise Gundu Gbaden, Chijioke Onuora, the late Nsikak Essien and Tonie Okpe, as well as a host of international consultants.

Beyond the exhibitions and competitions which LIMCAF is well known for, the foundation has branched out to hosting creative workshops for children and youth living with disabilities.

The Elder K.U. Kalu Grand Prize for Young Artist of the Year, the competition’s highest recognition, is valued at approximately $2,000. Other category prizes include the N1 million Capt. Everest Odengene Nnaji Prize for Painting, and the ₦500,000 Tayo Adenaike Prize for Watercolour.

Indeed, the festival has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2007 by the founder of Rocana Nigeria Limited, Robert Orji. Much of its staying power has been due to the goodwill of its supporters ranging from the Alliance Française network to the French Embassy, other corporate organisations, art foundations and individuals. Some of these are Clam Lab, Paris, Honeywell Group, FBN Holdings, the Pan African Circle of Artists, the Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja. Special donations have been made by the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Family, Vin Martin Ilo, Mfon Usoro, the Pius Okigbo Family, Art Is Everywhere, and Professor El Anatsui, and Engr. Gesi Asamaowei among others.

The increasing number of participants from all over Nigeria, and the continuing success of past participants provide an idea of the festival’s progress. The next LIMCAF is its 20th, and the foundation will be celebrating its 15th anniversary.