Kunle ADELABU
The idea was innovative; the occasion was inspiring and the setting created an avenue to discover children endowed with art talents.
The occasion was a art clinic organised to mark the 2018 Children’s Day celebration at the Funcity Amusement Park in Ikorodu.
It was a unique way of celebrating the children in Ikorodu on the special day set aside to celebrate them as about 50 children between the ages of two and 15years were gathered at the popular fun park by an Ikorodu born young contemporary artist, Habeeb Andu,on Sunday, May 27, 2017, to showcase their talents and skills in abstract and realism arts.
The occasion, which was filled with fun and memorable moments, was themed, ‘Child’s Play: A Social Impact Initiative with Habeeb Andu’.
The facilitator, alongside a team from the RELE Art foundation, provided the participating kids materials and conducive environment to enable them express the perception and realities around them on papers.
Habeeb and other professional artists on ground moved round to monitor, put through and inspire the young artists while various works done by them were displayed on a large board for everyone to see.
The works ranges from drawings about houses, cars, home appliances to abstract painting among others.
At the end of the session which lasted for about an hour, three finalists were picked from each of the two categories – visual and realism arts.
The finalists were Samiat, Fariat and Aishat (visual art category) and Yunus, Ajarat and Babatunde (realism art category).
However, Alowoshile Aishat, a 5years old female nursery 2 pupil of Adequate Model Private School situated at Olayemi Estate, Grammar School, Ikorodu, emerged the overall best in abstract drawing while Ajala Yunus, 13years old male Junior Secondary School 2 student of Minber Comprehensive College in Etunrenren, Ikorodu, won the realism category.
Sultan, a young boy who was the oldest participant, was also encouraged by the organizers for his commendable drawing which was separated from the younger ones.
He was presented with drawing materials and was also enjoined to further his interest in art by practising constantly.
Habib Andu, the facilitator, is a visual artist whose works have been on display in major exhibitions for several years. Through his abstract paintings, he unearths issues from his socio-political and economic environments and reflects them in his paintings.
