‘Araism’ marks 20 years of movement
ACETNews
The ‘Araism’ Movement has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special lecture highlighting its contributions to Nigeria’s visual arts sector and its role in promoting indigenous artistic expression and cultural identity.
The event, themed Araism: Its Impacts on Nigeria’s Visual Arts Space, was held at Kongi’s Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, bringing together artists, scholars, cultural administrators, students, and stakeholders in the creative industry.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Prof. Duro Oni, described the founder of the movement, Dr. Mufu Onifade as one of Nigeria’s most dedicated and consistent artists whose contributions have positively influenced both the visual and performing arts sectors.
According to him, Onifade has spent decades promoting artistic excellence and advocating for the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry.
“When we first met over 40 years ago, I encountered a man who was hardworking and committed to the advancement of the arts. He has consistently devoted his time and energy to developing the creative sector in Nigeria,” he said.
The professor also commended Onifade’s commitment to self-development and mentorship, noting that individuals who continuously improve themselves and contribute to society deserve recognition.
Founder of Araism Movement, Dr. Mufu Onifade, reflected on the history of the movement, explaining that the journey began in 1989 when he embarked on an experiment aimed at developing an authentic African painting technique.
According to him, what was initially planned as a six-month experiment eventually lasted seven years before the ‘Araism’ painting technique was successfully developed in 1996.
“The quest was to develop an authentic African painting technique that would reflect our cultural realities and artistic identity. The challenges were enormous, but the vision remained clear,” he said.
Onifade noted that the technique was officially launched at the Goethe-Institut, Lagos, in 1998 before the Araism Movement itself was formally established in 2006 at Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Harmattan Workshop Gallery in Lagos.
He explained that the movement was founded to provide a platform for artists trained in the Araism technique and to ensure the continued promotion of the artistic philosophy.
Guest Speaker, Ben Tomoloju, described Araism as a significant artistic movement that has contributed to the development of contemporary Nigerian art through its emphasis on indigenous aesthetics and cultural consciousness.
According to him, artistic movements often emerge as responses to social and cultural realities, adding that Araism developed during a period when foreign cultural influences dominated popular culture in Nigeria.
“Araism emerged as a response to the growing influence of imported values and cultural expressions. It sought to restore confidence in indigenous artistic traditions while encouraging innovation and creativity,” he said.
Tomoloju noted that the movement draws inspiration from African cultural heritage and encourages artists to reinterpret traditional forms and ideas in contemporary ways.
He explained that the concept of Araism is rooted in the word “Ara,” which conveys meanings such as wonder, body, kinship, creativity, and spiritual energy, all of which form part of the movement’s artistic philosophy.
On the growth of the movement, Onifade disclosed that more than 100 artists have been trained through Ara Studio over the years, while members of the movement have continued to develop distinct artistic styles based on the Araism technique.
He added that the movement has organised over 20 exhibitions across Nigeria and internationally, including exhibitions in Lagos, Abuja, Badagry, and Florida in the United States.
According to him, the annual exhibitions have helped to sustain the movement’s visibility and establish it as one of the most consistent artistic groups in Nigeria.
The event featured the recognition of distinguished guests, founding members of the movement, veteran artists, cultural administrators, and long-time supporters who have contributed to the growth of Araism over the past two decades. Courtesy The Nation.
