Nigerian art ambassador visits Vernon County

Saturday, April 2, 2011
Ibiyinka Alao signs a print of his painting "Treasure Every Moment" for Noah Acosta, 12, of Nevada, after the presentation on his art and Africa that Alao gave to more than 550 students faculty members and parents at the Truman Elementary School on Wednesday, March 30. Rusty Murry/Herald-Tribune

The internationally known artist and Nigerian Ambassador of Art Ibiyinka Alao wrapped up a visit to several Vernon County schools on Wednesday at Truman Elementary where he gave a presentation on his art and Africa. After the presentation, Alao greeted students, signed prints -- and some arms -- and conducted workshops for the remainder of the day in the art classes of Lisa Melton.

Alao is from the Kogi state of Nigeria and became the Ambassador of Art after winning the prestigious United Nations International Art Contest in 2001. His entry "Girls and a Greener Environment" was chosen from a field of work created by 61 artists.

Melton met Alao at a conference in Springfield and thought it would be great to have him visit the schools. She ended up finding a grant to pay for the cost of Alao's visit to the Vernon County Community. "I have really enjoyed being here," he said.

The ambassador also said that he thought this whole area was beautiful and added Bronaugh, "reminded me of my village back in Africa."

Alao was trained as an architect at a Nigerian university, but always had art in his soul. Alao used some humor to break the ice with students. He relayed that he had a hard time getting used to calling trousers, as they are called in Nigeria, pants as they are called here. The children had a good laugh when they found out that in Alao's native language of Yoruba, pants means "on the way."

He used the themes and symbolism contained in his colorful work to illustrate some valuable life lessons to the more than 550 students, faculty members and parents attending the presentation. "The more time we spend with art, the more we get to see," he said.

While pointing out the hidden but obvious elements of one painting Alao told students they should "always look for the mystery in people -- and don't judge people by what you see on the outside, but according to what's on the inside."

Alao also showed students a number of slides of his work, using them to tell a story or show how he was feeling at the time he said. "I listen to the world with the aid of a paint brush," he said, adding, "every time I paint a picture, all I'm trying to do is fill this hole in my heart."

Alao told the youngsters he had weaknesses as a child and that one of them was speaking in front of people. He said look at me now, my weakness is a strength. In fact, he said, "our weaknesses are sometimes so important that we should call them strengths."

After the presentation, Alao answered several questions from students. One child asked if he had a role model when he was young. Alao immediately answered, "my mom. She was the greatest artist in my life."

He also said that he was influenced by Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and other great artists.

As students began filing out of the gymnasium after the presentation, one child, Ashton Simon, 10, of Nevada, said she really enjoyed the presentation because "it's nice meeting and artist that you never knew."

Many students chose to purchase a print of Alao's work, several of which were arranged on a table in the gym.

Alao laughed and smiled as the children gathered around the tall man and asked him to sign their prints, arms or whatever was handy. After the students cleared the gym, Alao and Melton went to her art classroom where the famous man spent the rest of the day interacting with students and their art in a workshop environment.

Melton was pleased with the outcome of the presentation and thinks that Alao "is a very interesting man."

Alao spends about six months of the year at home in Nigeria and another six months here in the United States. He is based in New York City while here, but travels the country doing what he did in Vernon County. He said couldn't put a number on the presentations he has given or the number of children he has seen, but he truly enjoys what he does. To learn more about Ibiyinka Alao and his art visit his web site at www.ibiyinka.com or simply Google his name.

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