As part of the activities of the Society of Nigeria Artists, Bayelsa state chapter recently organized an art exhibition where their artworks and paintings were displayed to the admiration of the general public in Yenagoa.

Speaking to journalists about the essence of the Exhibition, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Atmosphere Art Gallery, Angalapele Tombara Samson, urged young, talented Bayelsans interested in artwork to continue, saying Art is therapeutic.

Tombara said, Art is not just about the beauty, but that Art heals the soul adding that it can be used to calm the nerves when one is down or in depression, it’s a healing balm.

Angalapele Tombara Samson handed down this during the Art exhibition in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, recently, saying the

” Art exhibition is to showcase the talent we have in Bayelsa, telling our stories the way they are. The exhibition is to promote our artwork in the state”.

“The best way to pass this message is to continue the show to create awareness for our people. As we start small, gradually it will get bigger.

“People are beginning to know the value of Art Work and what it stands for. It’s a tool to convey some critical messages. People are coming out this time around to see what we can offer. We are here to tell our stories through Art,  paintings, and from the local, it will gain international recognition one day.

 “Art is used to preserve our culture, our heritage, to show that this is what we are and what we do. The Art exhibition is to showcase the talent we have in Bayelsa, telling our stories as it is. It shows our resilience, struggles and determination, and our history. The exhibition is to promote our Art and Culture in the state”, he said.

Angalapele said, for patronage from government and individuals, “the Art professional in the state needs to create more awareness from time to time and continue with this annual exhibition”.

Answering questions from journalists, Bolaji Akpuloma, Chairman Society of Nigerian Artists, Bayelsa state chapter, said the Art exhibition is to let the people in the state, especially the Yenagoa metropolis to know that there is something going on in the Art World in the state.

According to him, “the aim of this exhibition is the Expression of the essence of life, we are not just looking at Art itself, but we are looking generally at humanity. The Artist sees life through his brush to actualize what he wants people to see. We still have a lot to do, but I just believe that this exhibition is a turning point for the next year’s exhibition that will be held”.

“Art is a viable tool for self-development, and that is why we brought in students to come understand life from a perspective of self-development. A lot of Bayelsan artists are doing well outside the state, but if you bring the same artists here in Bayelsa, they hardly get patronage, the reason being that the standard of understanding Art here is very low.

We from Bayelsa here rush to Calabar and other places that have made names for themselves, why can’t we make names for ourselves?” he asked.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of MEA Gallery, Macaulay Eteli, commended the various artists that participated in the exhibition, which is an indication that artists from this part of the world can use art to tell their stories and that with arts they could eke out their living. He urged them not to relent but continue to practice their profession, and in the future, they would get recognition and patronage from art collectors, private, and corporate organizations. They should not be discouraged by low turnout or lack of government presence.

Art paintings are a veritable means of tourism promotion and development, and Bayelsa state is a tourism destination; art can accelerate that from different dimensions.

Artworks could depict the cultural brilliance of a society.

The theme of the Exhibition is Expression: The Essence of Life.

Other artists that took part in the Exhibition include secondary school students and upcoming artists such as Deborah Wilcox, who titled her work ” When the rain couldn’t stop us” Deborah Alikwe, who titled her own “Contagious Joy” Ogheneruro Sandra Shedrack, who titled his own ” Seen ” Dave Yanky “Vulnerability” Footprint Art, Russia Inei, InRush Art Gallery, Liene Atonye, Workaholic Bee Concept, Vivian Effort, V- Collections, Jerri Bolosi amongst other artists and professionals whose art works and paintings were displayed during the epoch making Exhibition.