Artist as an environmentalist
As he prepares for his new solo exhibition, The Big bang, the Pandora and Flight Lieutenant, environmental artist, Muraina Akeem, tells AGOZINO AGOZINO how some of his environmental works came into being
Walking into his compound at 3 Alomo Close, Iju Ishaga, Agege, Lagos, the first compelling thing that grips your imagination is the large on-going metal sculpture made of long sheets. The masterpiece dubbed King Solomon’s Flying Mat, is one of the new metal sculptures for his next solo exhibition entitled The Big Bang, the Pandora and Flight Lieutenant, by environmental artist, Muraina Akeem.
In reality, the variety of metals is symbolic, representing the output of the artist, who believes in standing out in the crowd. He belongs to the class of artists that transmits waste to wealth. This testimony which awaits the visitor, as he peers deeper into his house, tells you more about his creative creativity.
The metal pieces, books, designs and decorative forms tell the symbolic story of Muraina and his deep philosophical mind. A visitor will also not fail to notice the drive for new experimentation as metal pieces of all sizes tell the stories of the environment through his sculpture, which is now a global issue.
Many agree that he is not yet a master, but, Akeem’s aesthetic record, when it comes to metal work, speaks for him. As a young lad in Ibadan, Oyo State, where his muse berthed, Akeem yearned for self-expression, which he thinks he can do through converting waste materials into wealth, and since then , and to him this adventurous spirit has been achieved. He started his studio work after his HND programme in YABATECH in 1993.
At Okuku, in Osun State, the NITEL logo edifice is a testimony of his creativity. In Lagos, he sculpted the effigy of the late S.L. Edu at Lekki, where the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is located. Others include some of the works that speak volume of his creativity.
His growing creativity is recognised by the President of the World Wide Funds (WWF), Sara Morrison, who collected his animal sculpture for a display in United Kingdom.
For this sculptor, his love for representing animals through his work is unique. He is keen on making a statement on the arts again. Since his last exhibition in Lagos, Akeem has been making a research, which, he said, would constitute what this new exhibition is all about.
Before now, Muraina had exhibited at the Niger-Delta Arts and Cultural Centre in Delta State, in 2000, the Harmattan Workshop organised by the Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, at Agbara Otor, Delta State, where he participated, and where the Header of Reindeer, one of his works became a cynosure of all eyes.
Similarly, his last exhibition, Eden Before Us, held at the National Museum Onikan, Lagos, was a success story. When one engages Akeem, he talks on issues of art, carefully choosing and analyzing his words. He said that his going for the art has been a childhood passion. The studio artist is an ex-officio member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State, and co-founder of Art Zero Group.
Akeem, who had taught art to students and presented papers at seminars says “My philosophy is that man should first pay attention to what is lesser than him so that greater things will follow. And that is why I work on discarded materials. But when I work on them, they become a collector’s item”.
Again, throwing more light into his studio trait, the artist, who is a devout Muslim, said all religions should promote peace and the sanctity of life and not destruction. “One should see himself as a complete part of humanity, so as to be part of humanity”.
As a sculptor, Muraina has garnered awards such as the Distinguished Stewardship Award by the SNA, where he served as an executive member. His works have been collected by many dignitaries and has participated in several group and solo exhibitions and creative workshops. “I believe that the smallest component or element of a collage is as significant as the whole. One has to contribute meaningfully in life so as to benefit the entire humanity.’’
