Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), has dedicated it’s 2022 programming season to celebrating the exemplary life and illustrious career of the grand patriarch of Nigeria’s visual arts, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya, as he clocks the nonagenarian age in August.
The prime art and culture advocacy group, set to flag off the season on March 1, made the announcement in a statement.
Describing him as a multi-pronged artist, teacher and mentor to generations of artists, CORA states that Onobrakpeya will be 90 on August 30.
CORA, the statement adds, is rolling out the drums to celebrate the accomplishments of the painter, sculptor, plastocastist and artist-philosopher, whose 60-year Retrospective exhibition is currently holding at the San Diego State University, United States of America.
“Just as we dedicated the 2021 Programming season to celebrating the life and career of the theatre matriarch, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, we are dedicating this year fully to honouring Dr. Onobrakpeya.
“We shall in due course be releasing the details of the programming content of the celebration, however, our prime project, the 2022 edition of the annual LAGOS BOOK & ART FESTIVAL, LABAF, holding November 14-20, will be fully dedicated to honouring Dr. Onobrakpeya.
“Before then we would have a series of conversations, reflections, Arthouse gatherings as well as mentoring sessions in his honour,” says the statement from the programme directorate of the CORA.
Below is a glimpse into the programming season that runs from March 2022 to March 2023
CORA ‘CULTURE ICONS’ HONOURS PROGRAMME
On other key items in the programming season, the CORA directorate also revealed that it shall equally be involved with honouring some other eminent artists who are coming into old age in the course of the year.
“We shall celebrate:
* The veteran journalist and photo-artist, Tam Fiofori @80 in June
* The multi-skilled performer – actor, musician, storyteller, visual artist, Jimi Solanke @80 in July
* The veteran actor, Olu Jacobs @ 80 in July.
“We shall also be honouring other eminent artists who come into their 70s and 60s in the course of the year.
“The CORA is conscious that its Honours programme, remains a pedestal of honour for those who should, and could be formally described as Icons of the Culture Sector.”
CORA YOUTH RECOGNITION & EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME
“Also as advised by the Board of the CORA, we shall hold Arthouse Forums for even younger masters of the creative fields who come into the 50s and 40s birthday fold in the year.
“The CORA as a future-focused organisation, whose foundation is rooted in youth empowerment, has resolved to reawaken its commitment to the recognition and celebration of the Nigerian youths, who have consistently proved that they are well equipped mentally and otherwise in all fields of endeavour — from the Creative Art to Science and Technology — to take on the world in terms of accomplishments. To this end, the CORA Creative Youth Club (CYCC), is being energised to stage regular programmes to recognise the contribution of the youths to the process of nation building.”