Expert urges artists to explore economic opportunities in visual arts

Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a renowned painter and author, has called on Artists to produce quality works to make their works acceptable globally.

Amadi-Obi, who is also a creative photographer, gave the advice at the maiden Southeast Photography Exhibition in Awka on Sunday.

He said that producing quality works would enable them benefit from the enormous economic opportunities in the sector.

The exhibition entitled “The Forgotten Country” was organised by Natesa Consulting, a Strategic Communication and Public Relations firm in collaboration with the Anambra Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 35 works featured at the exhibition.

Amadi-Obi said photography was a money spinner in foreign currencies with the entire global community as its audience and market.

According to him, rare imagery like landscape and cityscape, produced with good combinations of and colours would appeal to people in other parts of the world.

He urged photographers to leverage on the internet platform to market their works, adding that they should exercise patience for people who knew the worth of their works to see them.

“Any creative work, especially visual art is money, all they have to do is to master the skills of visuality, understanding composition, knowing the best colour and light combinations that will make your work stand out.

“Photography is at the heart of advertising, image branding and storytelling. The opportunities in visual arts have not been explored.

“Those into photography should begin to like what they are doing and resolve to give the world their best,“he said.

Amadi-Obi encouraged people who are into photography and other visual arts to study the copyright law in order know how to patent their works and protect their intellectual property.

“Most people are leaving money on the table because of their inability to exploit illegal copying of their works.

They should read the copyright law and know how they can protect their intellectual property,” he said.

Ms Ifeoma Nnamani, a representative of Centre for Memories, Enugu, said the exhibition was in tune with activities of her organisation.

She expressed confidence that it would open up opportunities for professionals and budding creative artists.

Namani assured that the Centre was ready to partner the firm for the development of documentary and commercial photography.

Also speaking, Augusta Nnadi, Co-Founder of Natesa Consulting, said the exhibition was to give attendees the opportunity to enjoy arts, celebrate culture and have a good time.

She also said that it would afford them the opportunity to learn how to maximise the potential of documentary photography.

Nnadi assured that the centre would continue to support creative artists and provide them with the platform to showcase their works.

She commended the Anambra Government and Centre for Memories for their support and commitment towards developing the creative arts sector.

Declaring the event open, Chief Don Onyenji, Commissioner for Culture Entertainment and Tourism, said Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra had provided the enabling environment for culture and tourism to thrive.

Onyenji said tourism potential was being harnessed with the development of Ogbunike Cave, Igboukwu Museum, and the Solution Fun City among others.

He encouraged photographers and artists to take greater interest in the job because it was lucrative. NAN)