An Artist, Patrick Ugwueze, has urged the Federal Government, individuals and corporate bodies to support upcoming artists with grants.
Ugwueze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that upcoming artists lacked funds to start off.
According to him, the upcoming artists need to buy materials for their works and sustain themselves before they start making money.
“Providing grants and some kind of support will help them to create works without thinking first about how to source money for take off.
“It is only through such support that young artists could be encouraged to do their works and exhibit them.
“Arts tell about a people’s culture; who they are and how they are.
“Some artworks have political undertones, some religious and others social; whichever, it tells a story.
“Arts also will project the nation’s image abroad. Government and other bodies need to recognise the significance of artists in that direction and begin to collaborate with them,’’ he said.
Ugwueze, however, said that government’s indifference toward artists was baffling and lamented that there were only a few art galleries in the country.
“They are not enough for the number of artists we have and most of us have had to resort to painting at home,’’ the artist said.
He urged government to give artists “a listening ear’’, and encourage them to exhibit their works abroad, as Nollywood had done.
The artist suggested that government should assist in establishing more galleries, museums and studios. (NAN)
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