Just like the 2020 edition of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) programme, the exhibition to honour the literary icon under the theme ‘Timeless Memories; The Humanity of WS’. will be held in a virtual space this year. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.
Now in its third instalment, ‘Timeless Memories’, is an art initiative series created and curated by Oludamola Adebowale, to celebrate the legacy of Prof. Wole Soyinka and other well-meaning individuals in the creative art industry.
Adebowale said in a statement that the Timeless Memories’ project series is to project the legacy of Prof. Wole Soyinka and the amazing body of work he has created in new innovative mediums for this generation and the generation to come.
Only last year, the series started with the ‘Timeless Memories: A Decade of Iconic Celebration’ Exhibition which celebrated the 10th year anniversary of the WSICE Project and the 85th birthday of Prof.Soyinka. He said the exhibition was well attended by about 2000 secondary school students. An array of archival images spanning over 10 years of activities of the WSICE Project was on display.
“In November 2019, the ‘Timeless Memories: Elastic Effects of Wole Soyinka’ was staged at Freedom Park, Lagos. The exhibition featured illustrative artworks around Prof. Wole Soyinka, alongside a 23-minute documentary and a 17ft mural on display,” Adebowale stated.
This year’s exhibition title draws from the WSICE Theme “I AM because YOU ARE”, and also aims to reinforce the commitment of Prof. Soyinka and the objective behind the WSICE programme – which is primarily educating young minds for a better tomorrow.
“It will feature new illustrative works, some works from the November 2019 exhibition and also an E-Art book that will be available for download for free on the WSICE website, which will host the showcase from July 13, 2020 to July 1, 2021.