Arowosola Ibironke, Abuja
The Director General of National Gallery of Art, Abdullahi Muku as said if well harnessed, the creative industry offers an indispensable tool for national unity and development.
Muku said this at the opening of the 4th edition of the Art of Friendship exhibition which took recently took place in Abuja.
In his welcome address, Muku noted that the exhibition was designed to provide a platform for collaborating with foreign countries to showcase their unique artistic heritage in order to bring about a cross-fertilization of ideas and cultures and also promote friendship among these nations.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary (Ayotunde Adesugba) in the Ministry as special guest of honour, said the Gallery was acting to the true meaning of its statutory responsibilities.
He further said in line with the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, his ministry (Ministry of Information and Culture) and indeed other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government will partner with stakeholders to harness the potentials in the creative industry, especially in the area of wealth and job creation.
Also speaking in his good will message, former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, who was Chairman of the occasion, said the exhibition provided a platform for learning, interrogating, understanding, respecting, accepting and sharing each other’s cultures, values and ideals.
The NewsGuru.com reports that Kalu is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of International Friendship Arts Foundation.
Highlights of the exhibition was the showcasing of artistic works which includes ceramics, terracotta; photography, paintings, metal sculpture and a number of mixed media pieces. The subject matter treated range from landscapes; rural scenes set in different seasons of the year; enterprise; and leisure. They reflect the dexterity and strength of the artists and showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The NewsGuru.com reports that the Gallery partnered the embassies of china, Czech Republic and France with the aim of boosting cultural ties.