AFTER three months of rigorous search, Next of Kin Series 4 unveils the 10 finalists for the 2022 edition of the yearly art competition and exhibition.
Fourth in the yearly talent hunt project, Next of Kin Series-4 took off when Thought Pyramid Art Centre called for the submission of entries in October 2021. Eligible entries include young and upcoming artists whose careers are not more than eight years. The specified years of practice was deliberate to expand the scope for more talented artists to submit entries.
On March 27, 2022, the ten finalists will have their works on display at the Grand Finale, holding inside Thought Pyramid Art Centre, 96, Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State. It’s important to note that the event will observe Lagos State Covid-19 protocols.
“Next of kin is a yearly Juried art project of competition and exhibition format that contributes to the development of fresh artists in Nigeria,” Director of Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ovie Omatsola stated. “This is the fourth in the series of the art project where the new generation of artists are supported and mentored at the initial stages of their career where it matters the most.”
Omatsola recalled that Next Of Kin, in the last editions had uncovered young artists such as Anthonia Nnneji, Christian Allison and Ikechukwu Ezeigwe as three of the previous winners of the yearly talent hunt. After emerging winners of different editions of Next of Kin, respectively, the artists’ works, over the years, have climbed the ladder of art appreciation in Africa and other parts of the world.
Expanding on the vision of Next of Kin, Omatsola explained that the talent event is an art initiative created to envision the future of art in Nigeria by discovering future masters from the hoard of current emerging artists. Specifically, Next of Kin, he notes, looks out for artists who possess that peculiar artistic originality and creative disruptiveness with transcending futuristic abilities and traits. The success of Next of Kin, the director said, lies in the unearthing of such talents.
To inspire the young artists at the preview, few days ago, guest speakers, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere and Abolore Sobayo shared their thoughts on the challenges of being an established artist.
Sobayo, founder of Jeleosinmi Art Gallery, Oshodi, Lagos, told the audience how mentorship is key in art practice. He started by acknowledging the role of Ovraiti in mentoring him, which he recalled contributed in lifting his career. Speaking on the yearly art competition and exhibition, Next of Kin, Sobayo noted that the name represents creating opportunity for young artists. While congratulating the participants, he stated that the benefit is not just to the winners, but to all participants too.”
The lead guest speaker, Ovraiti argued that not every artist will be a star or be known. “Only three percent of you here will be known in your career,” Ovraiti, a well known artist in mentorship skill told the audience of mostly youths. “But being a famous artist is not so difficult; the quality should be in you right now.” He explained that whoever, as a young artist, thinks he or she “is going to be famous, may not achieve it.” He added: “But if you believe you are famous now, you will be famous.”
Ovraiti described the mentality to succeed as a seed and the beginning that goes beyond having intention. “Plant the seed of being known in your mind.”
He cited the Next of Kin art event as an example, saying that “participating in this art exhibition showed that you are among the next of kin” that will inherit the future and become famous. “Every generation must produce their king and queen and prince etc. So, every artist must face challenges like the proverbial tree that face hostility constantly,” but never stopped yeilding branches. “You must create your own fruits as a tree, and be different.”
Asidere, who said he has been painting since 1981, told the young artists audience how he had always been learning from then till now. “Your studio is your daily practice so that people who don’t know will not be teaching you art.” Artists, he stated, “should be adventurous, and choose your choice; don’t let anyone choose for you.”
Sponsored by Nigeria Machine Tools and TrustBanc Group, Next of Kin Series-4 finalists selection was juried by artists Sam Ovraiti, Abiodun Olaku, Fidelis Odogwu and art critic, Tajudeen Sowole.
After an interactive session between the young artists and the guest speakers, OvraitI announced the 10 finalists.
The 10 Finalists:
Adenitan Daniel
Olalekan Adeyemi Julius
Solomon Akinnire
Ademola Ojo
Chidinma Nwafor
Obeka Simon Edoh
Boluwatife Victoria Lawal
Falope Ibrahim Abiodun
Jiboku Segun Adebayo
Aladejare Ayodeji.
Omotsola announced the prizes:
“Winning Prize for Next Of Kin Series 4.
1st Prize- One-month fully-funded art
residency/sponsored solo exhibition .
From the entry point till date, Next of Kin Series 4, according to Omatsola, never had gender preference or age restriction as long as the artist submitting the entry meets the career timespan specified.
“Ten finalists have been selected after the jury went through the entries submitted, towards preparation for the grand finale where the works of the finalists will be exhibited and the winner announced,” Omatsola enthused. “Professional and seasoned artists/art stakeholders have been carefully appointed as jury members. The identities of the jury were withheld from the public to ensure fairness and avoid decision influence.”
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How Ovraiti, Asidere, Sobayo inspired Next of Kin Series-4 artists
ARTISTS and other young participants at the unveiling of the ten finalists for Next of Kin Series-4 art competition and exhibition got a dose of mentorship, few days ago.
To inspire the young artists at the preview, guest speakers, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere and Abolore Sobayo shared their thoughts on the challenges of being an established artist. Sobayo, founder of Jeleosinmi Art Gallery, Oshodi, Lagos, told the audience how mentorship is key in art practice. He started by acknowledging the role of Ovraiti in mentoring him, which he recalled contributed in lifting his career. Speaking on the yearly art competition and exhibition, Next of Kin, Sobayo noted that the name represents creating opportunity for young artists. While congratulating the participants, he stated that the benefit is not just to the winners, but to all participants too.”
The lead guest speaker, Ovraiti argued that not every artist will be a star or be known. “Only three percent of you here will be known in your career,” Ovraiti, a well known artist in mentorship skill told the audience of mostly youths. “But being a famous artist is not so difficult; the quality should be in you right now.” He explained that whoever, as a young artist, thinks he or she “is going to be famous, may not achieve it.” He added: “But if you believe you are famous now, you will be famous.”
Ovraiti described the mentality to succeed as a seed and the beginning that goes beyond having intention. “Plant the seed of being known in your mind.”
He cited the Next of Kin art event as an example, saying that “participating in this art exhibition showed that you are among the next of kin” that will inherit the future and become famous. “Every generation must produce their king and queen and prince etc. So, every artist must face challenges like the proverbial tree that face hostility constantly,” but never stopped yeilding branches. “You must create your own fruits as a tree, and be different.”
Asidere, who said he has been painting since 1981, told the young artists audience how he had always been learning from then till now. “Your studio is your daily practice so that people who don’t know will not be teaching you art.” Artists, he stated, “should be adventurous, and choose your choice; don’t let anyone choose for you.”
The Next of Kin Series-4 unveiled the 10 finalists for the 2022 edition of the yearly art competition and exhibition, few days ago, after three months of search for the front runners.
Fourth in the yearly talent hunt project, Next of Kin Series-4 took off when Thought Pyramid Art Centre called for the submission of entries in October 2021. Eligible entries include young and upcoming artists whose careers are not more than eight years. The specified years of practice was deliberate to expand the scope for more talented artists to submit entries.
On March 27, 2022, the ten finalists will have their works on display at the Grand Finale, holding inside Thought Pyramid Art Centre, 96, Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State. It’s important to note that the event will observe Lagos State Covid-19 protocols.
“Next of kin is a yearly Juried art project of competition and exhibition format that contributes to the development of fresh artists in Nigeria,” Director of Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ovie Omatsola stated. “This is the fourth in the series of the art project where the new generation of artists are supported and mentored at the initial stages of their career where it matters the most.”
Omatsola recalled that Next Of Kin, in the last editions had uncovered young artists such as Anthonia Nnneji, Christian Allison and Ikechukwu Ezeigwe as three of the previous winners of the yearly talent hunt. After emerging winners of different editions of Next of Kin, respectively, the artists’ works, over the years, have climbed the ladder of art appreciation in Africa and other parts of the world.
Expanding on the vision of Next of Kin, Omatsola explained that the talent event is an art initiative created to envision the future of art in Nigeria by discovering future masters from the hoard of current emerging artists. Specifically, Next of Kin, he notes, looks out for artists who possess that peculiar artistic originality and creative disruptiveness with transcending futuristic abilities and traits. The success of Next of Kin, the director said, lies in the unearthing of such talents.
Sponsored by Nigeria Machine Tools and TrustBanc Group, Next of Kin Series-4 finalists selection was juried by artists Sam Ovraiti, Abiodun Olaku, Fidelis Odogwu and art critic, Tajudeen Sowole.
After an interactive session between the young artists and the guest speakers, OvraitI announced the 10 finalists.
The 10 Finalists:
Adenitan Daniel
Olalekan Adeyemi Julius
Solomon Akinnire
Ademola Ojo
Chidinma Nwafor
Obeka Simon Edoh
Boluwatife Victoria Lawal
Falope Ibrahim Abiodun
Jiboku Segun Adebayo
Aladejare Ayodeji.
Omotsola announced the prizes:
“Winning Prize for Next Of Kin Series 4.
Winner prize- One-month fully-funded art
residency/sponsored solo exhibition.
Next of Kin Series-4 Overview.
From the entry point till date, Next of Kin Series 4, according to Omatsola, never had gender preference or age restriction as long as the artist submitting the entry meets the career timespan specified.
“Ten finalists have been selected after the jury went through the entries submitted, towards preparation for the grand finale where the works of the finalists will be exhibited and the winner announced,” Omatsola enthused. “Professional and seasoned artists/art stakeholders have been carefully appointed as jury members. The identities of the jury were withheld from the public to ensure fairness and avoid decision influence.”
About Thought Pyramid.
Thought Pyramid Art Centre is an art organization established with a distinctive mentality to be a pioneering art stakeholder in the domestic and international art scene. Beyond art sales and promotion of domestic art to the global art enthusiasts, Thought Pyramid Art Centre aims to be functional in the community or environment in which it exists. Hence, Thought Pyramid Art Centre is largely involved in the encouragement of Nigerian artists and creating a standard accessible art platform for the future generations of artists who will be entrusted with the responsibility of pushing Nigerian arts across the shores and borders of the world. This and more is what we envisioned when we thought up Next of Kin.
