Kunle Adelabu
Ikorodu has further confirmed its place as a major arts destination in the state and country at large with the presence of the Oshodi Arts Gallery which has in its possession over 17, 000 art works, a feat difficult to see anywhere else in the state.
The Osho Arts Gallery, which is located opposite the Ikorodu NASFAT mosque, along Sabo-Itoikin expressway, lkorodu, is being managed by Mr Seyi Paul Oshodi as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
THE IMPACT gathered that the massive arts gallery, which has six studios, sells art works for the public, holds exhibitions and also makes the gallery open to the public for sight – seeing and excursion, has come to stay in Ikorodu and will place the entire Ikorodu division on the global art map.
Mr Oshodi, who took our reporter on a tour of the gallery during a work visit, stated that the six-studio arts gallery holds over 17, 000 artworks.
According to him, there are Cartoon Animation, Photography, Painting & Drawing, Warehouse, Main Gallery, Sub – Gallery and Ceramic studios.
“A nice place to be at all times, where you can have idea about art, and where you can also learn about art”, Mr Oshodi said.
“We have six studios here at the Oshodi Arts Gallery with massive art works. We actually have over 17, 000 art works here”, he confirmed to THE IMPACT.
“This is our warehouse. The over 17, 000 art works that we have here comprise sculptures in metal works, painting, wood carving, metal construction, including tyres among others.
“Here is the Cartoon Animation Studio. It will be fully ready by January 2nd and 3rd, 2021, with computers. This is called the New Media Art with 2D and 3D animation”, Mr Oshodi disclosed to our reporter during the inspection of the Cartoon Animation Studio.
“We are going to be having training and editing sessions here when fully completed”, he added.
He said that the intention of the photography studio is to teach the new generation how to useprint and process analogue photography.
“This is our photography studio where we are going to be teaching mainly analogue photography. Many thought that it has completely gone out of tune but we are going to be having sessions on its importance to art.
“We are going to be teaching people here how to use analogue cameras and process films. This is the darkroom section of the studio where films are going to be processed”.
Ms Esther Agbolade, a graduate and holder of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbogbo in Oyo State, who has been practicing professionally, is in-charge of the ceramic studio of the gallery.
She was putting finishing touches to some ceramic works when THE IMPACT visited her studio.
Mr Enigbokan Michael, an entertainer incharge of the ‘Lagos Funfair & End of the year party’ which is ongoing at the Oshodi Arts Gallery, told our reporter that all the art works in the studio are made in the studio.
He added that art works on display are made for sale to the members of the public who are interested in them, while adding that residents of Ikorodu have no business going out of the town for fun and art exhibitions as the Oshodi Arts Gallery is open for business.
