The nation's capital is not all about high cost of living. Nor do bulldozers and demolitions define it. The city also has an enchanting core fed by creative hands and minds.
Wuse II probably boasts one of the most interesting places that will blow your mind. And it is right inside a building not different from the next bungalow. It instantly launches you into a beautiful world of art and creativity.
The work of art therein is so overwhelming that this correspondent was momentarily arrested by what she saw–the exquisite and irresistible work of a creative mind. For instance, the kitchen is made of wood, from top to bottom, with a sink that is designed in the form of a huge cup with cupboards having different designs. The bathrooms are designed like a typical resort on a beach or the mountains.
A section of the corridors and living-room looks like a semi cave with paintings scattered all over the white-washed wall. Another section of the living-room wall is covered in a recycled newspaper divide with another made from used drinking straws that look so impossible. This scenario is created by different gifted artists with sculptures standing majestically by ankara-styled hand-made sitters.
Ifesinachi, one of the artists and architects of the great house, explained that his theme as an artist and what they are trying to portray is working with recycled materials, which is basically encouraging an environment that is clean and sustainable.
For instance, the coffee tables, beds and most of the furniture items were made from wood that was found in the bush which ordinarily would have passed for firewood.
The artist, who has been in the profession for upwards of 15 years, said that he is an environmentalist who works towards environmental sustenance and prefers working in Abuja because his raw materials are found in bushes and the mountains around him. Besides, he enjoys working on things that are contemporary and African.
He explained that art in Nigeria is not mainly seen in terms of the monetary value but the relationship that one has with art lovers that appreciate one's work.
''Even if a particular work of mine is given a N6 million tag and I find someone who genuinely loves it, I can give it to the person for free or sell it 10 times less the price. Most of us artists do not always sell all our works, sometimes a friend or even stranger may genuinely love your work but may not be able to afford the price and you end up giving it out for free,'' he said.
He said that one sad thing is that a visit to most hotels in Abuja will reveal pictures that were mass produced in China but has no relevance with our culture hanging.
He explained that art in Abuja is still growing, adding "a lot of people living in Abuja often travel to Lagos just to be in the world of art, art is more vibrant in Lagos because the city has more exhibitions which is the life-line of the artists and Lagos already has an art community which Abuja is yet to have".
He said that the idea is to make Nigerians think environmental and recycling and also make people who enjoy going to Dubai and China to purchase works of art realise that great and cheaper art work can be done in the country by local artists.
The owner of the house and partner in the conceptualisation, Uzor, who is a writer, explained that he had decided to transform his house into something spectacular and a private gallery. He explained that if you walk into a lot of houses in Nigeria, you realise that the finishing is often very bad and boring, So he thought to himself that "if you want to live in a place and be there, then you should enjoy the place, a place where you can come back to and feel very relaxed and having a place like mine is a very interesting way of doing just that.''
The reserved and quiet writer explained that when he was young, he visited museums a lot and his mother collected art, which actually opened his mind to greater things. In his words, ''We have lots of talents in this country, it's like a lot of people are technically gifted but lack the vision, like how to make things out of what is surrounding you, is what really makes it interesting.
''The problem is that Nigerians are more concerned about what is more practical and can make money within a short time which is certainly not art''.
He said that art is not about how much you can make but how you show people your ability to reason. He explained that Nigerians are gradually beginning to appreciate and invest in art now unlike before.
There is no thorough fare in the house as visit is strictly by invitation, and when asked how they sell their work under such strict rules, Uzor said this should not be thought as selling but more of coming to enjoy the pleasure of looking at art because there isn't enough places in the city where people can just sit and say, "you know what? This is something beautiful, let me take my mind off the things that are bothering me and enjoy something beautiful that is not stressing me."
The post City of art, beauty appeared first on The Nation.
