The exhibition of 60 practising artists and art scholars engaging the world with their artworks for 60 days will be the hallmark of the 60th anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, formerly known as the University of Ife.
The unique, outstanding art exhibition titled ’60 Years, 60 Artists, 60 Days (60x60x60) is organized by the department of Fine and Applied Arts and is scheduled to hold from 20th October to 18th December, 2021 within the premises of the University in Ile-Ife.
Some of the exhibiting artists are Prof. Moyo Okediji, Prof. Bolaji Campbell, Prof. Jide Makinde, Tola Wewe, Victor Ekpuk, Dr. Kunle Filani, Dr. Stephen Folaranmi, Dr. Segun Ajiboye, Dr. Segun Fajuyigbe, Dr. Kehinde Adepegba, Weyinmi Atigbi, Mufu Onifade, Rasheed Amodu, Tolulope Sobowale, Dotun Popoola, among others. All generations of the Ife Art School graduates will be represented.
It would be recalled that the university clocked 60 years on the 8th of June 2021. Therefore, commemorative events and activities are ongoing towards making the 60th anniversary tagged ‘OAU/Great Ife: 60 years of advancing the frontiers of knowledge and culture’, a remarkable and memorable one.
The Department of Fine and Applied Arts, popularly known as ‘Ife Art School’ was established in 1975. The ideological Art school has produced great practising artists and art scholars of note who ply their trades in Nigeria and in the Diasporas; and who have contributed immensely to the development of contemporary art in Nigeria.
According to the curatorial team of this lifetime festival, the epoch-making exhibition promises to be the show of the year. “It is going to be awesome,” says the team.