Dr. Princess Theresa Oghogho Iyase-Odozi had a successful solo art show named “Uhunmwen Vbe Ehinmwen and Master of The Circled Cross in Benin Kingdom” in Benin during October and November of 2019. On November 10, 2022, the exhibition will move to the National Museum in Lagos, organized by the Green House Art Empowerment Center in partnership with the Museum.
According to the organizers, the second leg of the traveling exhibition will concentrate on Benin iconography and Edo batik and will have five main elements: mixed-media paintings, art installations, textiles and wax prints made with Edo Batik, a workshop on empowerment, and the display of an art journal/brochure. The display is on view until November 17.
“A major goal of the exhibition is to raise awareness of and publicize the appropriations of the rich Benin iconography found on artifacts from as far back as the 16th Century that are currently being used by the exhibiting artist in her effort to revive the dwindling tradition of Edo Batik garments. An assortment of Edo Batik textiles and wax prints created and created by the exhibiting artist will be on display throughout the event, according to the organizers.
Dr. Iyase-Odozi is the founder and CEO of the Green House Art Empowerment Center in addition to being a professional visual artist, author, curator, empowerment specialist, community leader, and philanthropist. She earned her B.A. in Creative Arts (Painting), M.A., and PhD in Visual Art Education from the University of Lagos’ Department of Creative Arts.
Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Mrs. Nike Monica Okundaye, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, and Atedo Peterside are anticipated special guests for the inaugural event.
Dr. Iyase-Odozi stated: “Thus, I formed the urge to promote knowledge about that culture and the history that maintains it, a quest that spurred my studies into Benin art history. This yearning was reinforced by my beloved father, Iyase N’Udo of Udo, of blessed memory. Since that time, I have given all of my attention to that project, which has been rewarding in terms of the works I have created and the experiences I have had personally.
The journey’s culmination was the Benin Art and Iconography exhibition, whose opening was place in Benin City from October 26 to November 30, 2019. The opening ceremony, which took place despite severe rain on that day, was attended by many notable people and leading artists, and the exhibition’s succeeding days saw a sizable increase in attendance, she said, so that first outing was a big success.
She revealed that the Lagos leg of the performance had been originally planned for November 2020 but had to be postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s emergence in late 2019.
