Monday, February 14, 2011

Ibiyinka Alao, Nigeria's Ambassador of Art

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http://tsugallery.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/myself-as-an-individual-ibiyinka-alao.jpgThank You for a WONDERFUL Presentation:
Ibiyinka Alao   
Nigeria's Ambassador of Art
University of South Alabama
College of Education
UCOM 3212
February 8th, 2011



A special THANK YOU to: 
Nancy Raia , Community Arts Director
Eastern Shore Art Center
401 Oak Street
Fairhope Al 36532




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Ibiyinka’s presentation focuses on contemporary African life and how that experience translates into his artwork, which celebrates diversity and achieving peace through creativity and expression. As an artist, his vibrant paintings help him to articulate the message that happiness in life is a code which we can often decode by listening to silent voices and speaking without talking. His paintings are full of life, color and visions from his heart. Ibiyinka strives to offer us visual passage into his painted stories using his African homeland, its villages and people as treasured subjects.

Born on Oct. 17, 1975 in Nigeria, Ibiyinka has become a world-acclaimed messenger of peace. Trained as an architect at the University Of Ile-Ife Nigeria, he won global recognition in 2001 when he won the prestigious United Nation’s International Art Competition. As a result, Nigeria awarded him the honorary title of “Art Ambassador” for his country. In 2003, he was awarded the title “Ambassador of Peace” by the United Nations Population Fund in recognition of his message of peace, love and cultural harmony between all people. He has exhibited over 400 paintings in a broad list of countries and places — The Harvard Business School, Indianapolis Art Center, the Martin Luther King Art Center, the Empire State Building and the United Nations headquarters.

Paige V. Baggett, Ibiyinka Alao, and Nancy Raia 

Ibiyinka's works of art are vibrant, fascinating, and inspired me to learn more about the messages he communicates. 
A few of my favorites include:
Ca. 1999
18" x 10"
Tempera
"In this painting, I try to show a woman who is confident in her own surrounding. A woman — who exhumes confidence in herself, and upholds peace in her own home protecting her children — is reflective of this eagle eye in a girl who is usually seen in a group dancing with her colleagues. My argument here is that she can equally feel at home, peaceful and confident, even when she is alone. The garden of green in the background is to signify her fertility."
 
more favorites...


7 comments:

Lauren Moran said...

Dr. Baggett, I’m in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class here at The University of South Alabama. I love that you have introduced us to a contemporary artist in your blog post! I read Dr. Strange’s post (as well as yours!) about your top 10 favorite artists of all time. Even though I have virtually no valuable artistic talents, I think it’s important to be exposed to art and have an appreciation for it. I was captivated by Ibiyinka Alao’s work when I saw it on your blog. I love his use of art and color as a way to communicate his beliefs, opinions, and views. Hopefully, as future educators, we can use artists like Ibiyinka Alao to inspire our students to express themselves in the most effective ways possible.

Mary-Katelin said...

Hi Dr. Baggett, I'm in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I loved reading and looking at the pictures you posted. It looks like you all had a great time meeting and talking to him about his paintings. My favorite is the acrylic, Grace: That Even the World can Pass through It. It is so colorful and full of life. I also enjoyed reading the captions below the pictures; they say so much about Ibiyinka and his passion.

Paige Vitulli said...

Lauren and Mary-Katelin, I'm so glad you visited my blog post on Ibiyinka's visit. He is fabulous in so many ways: educational, inspirational, and an advocate for the POWER of the arts! I hope to get a video of his presentation posted soon so everyone can benefit from his words of wisdom.

Joshua Ragsdale said...

Hi Dr. Bagget, I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I enjoyed all the pictures you posted of lbyinka's art. His work is beautiful to look at. I have a friend that is from Lagos, Nigeria.

Brittany said...

Hi Dr. Baggett,
Its me Brittany Pittman from Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class again. I loved reading this post because my goal is to teach art and incorporate artist like Ibiyinka, who speaks with his heart through his paintings. I wish I could have been there for his presentation, it sounded like everyone had an awesome time. I find his paintings and his overall appreciation for his own work to be beautiful and inspiring. My favorite painting out of the ones you posted is Mortal Feelings because it is stunning and intense. It is amazing how he puts so much feeling and compassion into his work by using his beliefs and culture.

Amy said...

Hi, Dr. Baggett,
I am in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. It is thrilling to see how Ibiyinka's passion has carried him all over the globe to share with the rest of the world. He has given people an opportunity to learn about the culture from which he came. The vision that he sees is clearly love.

Unknown said...

What happens when your film is #2 on the all-time box office, but happens to be an adult film?

http://artsgrandmaster.blogspot.com