Araism Movement 10 in Abuja, from October 24 to 30, at the Thought Pyramid Gallery

"The 10th edition of the Araism Movement exhibition series titled Araism Movement 10 opens 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at the Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, Wuse 2, Abuja. The show features new works by Mufu Onifade (inventor of Araism painting technique and founder of the thriving Araism Movement) and six exponents namely Oludotun Popoola (Secretary of the Movement), Jonathan Ikpoza, Oluwanbe Amodu, Esther Emmanuel Fakunle (the only female member), Bolarinwa Olowo and Jonathan Imafidor (Assistant Secretary of the Movement). The exhibition will run till Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

"The Movement, which was established in 2006, has presented 9 shows between 2006 and 2011 to the public – seven in Lagos and two in Abuja. This 10th edition is the third outing in Abuja and it presents new works - twenty seven in all - in an astonishing variety of themes, sizes and mediums by seven exhibiting artists.

"Like other past shows, Araism Movement 10 is employed to re-launch the phenomenon of ARA (Aesthetically Rich Art) and ara (wonder) to the consciousness of artists, arts writers, art scholars, gallery owners, the arts community and the general public. In recent times, every watcher of unfolding events in contemporary Nigeria cannot overlook or undervalue the emergence and prominence of Araism technique – nay the relatively young Movement. Araism is a creative force of reckoning while the Movement serves as a platform of projection to the technique and its many exponents. By virtue of the consistency of its commemorative group exhibition series, Araism Movement is, arguably, the most consistent art group in Nigeria.

"In 1989, Araism began as a technique invented by Mufu Onifade, who has trained many students from 1990 to date. Each student has also been able to develop his own style, using the technique as a technical base. With the distinguishing element of one style from another, it also became imperative to create a platform on which these various styles of Araism could be projected; and this led to the establishment of Araism Movement, which at the moment, boasts of over 30 members. On the strength of regular appearances at exhibitions, Araism Movement has become one of the leading united groups of artists in the history of contemporary Nigerian Art.

"Mufu Onifade, artist, writer, art critic, thespian and art administrator, trained at The Polytechnic, Ibadan; African Art Museums and Training Institute and Obafem Awolowo Universrty, Ile-Ife. He has trained more than 40 students in Araism painting technique, which he invented. Oludotun Popoola holds National Diploma, Painting & General Arts, from Auchi Polytechnic, and majored in Sculpture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Jonathan Ikoza hails from Delta State, Nigeria. He obtained his National Diploma in Painting and General Arts and Higher National Diploma in Painting from Auchi Polytechnic. Oluwanbe Amodu joined Ara Studio in 2006 where he trained directly under Mufu Onifade. He finished from Yaba College of Technology. Esther Emmanuel-Fakunle is the first and only exhibited female member of Araism Movement so far. She graduated in Fine and Applied Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Bolarinwa Olowo holds Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), Fine and Applied Arts (Double Major) from the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos. Jonathan Imafidor is from Igarra, Edo State. He obtained B.A. Fine Arts and graduated with a First Class from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife." - From the organisers