9 Careers Lacking in the Nigerian Art Market

The Ben Enwonwu Foundation in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists and supported by Alliance Française /Mike Adenuga Centre Lagos, held its monthly edition of ‘Point of View’

Speakers: Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (represented), Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, Founder, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Foundation (OYASAF), Kavita Chellaram, Chief Executive Officer, Arthouse Contemporary Limited, took the floor to chat about the topic: “RAISING CAPITAL AGAINST HIGH VALUE WORKS OF ART”

During the floor chat, a strong point that was brought up were some of the gaps in the industry and roles that are still needed, albeit are currently being filled.

Art Restoration/ Conservation
There are many African pieces that might be valued in millions but have endured wear and tear over time. Art conservation and restoration, is any attempt to conserve and repair architecture, paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and objects of the decorative arts (furniture, glassware, metalware, textiles, ceramics, and so on) that have been adversely affected by negligence, willful damage, or, more usually, the inevitable decay caused by the effects of time and human use on the materials of which they are made. An Art restorer would work to revive pieces and might help prevent their extinction.

Cultural Policy Makers/ Lobbyists
Lobbyists are seen as employed to persuade legislators to pass legislation that will help the lobbyist’s employer. On the art scene, lobbyists will work to ensure better laws or policies that protect creative people and their interests.

Art Appraisers
Art valuation is a part of financial valuation. that deals with the estimation of the fair market value of works of art. The practice of art valuation combines the techniques of financial valuation with subjective views on the cultural value and significance of a particular artwork. Similar to real estate Appraisers who help develop standards in values of property, Art Appraisers are also able to determine the value of artworks which is a very important aspect of how art is valued.

Intellectual Property Lawyers
These lawyers counsel their clients on establishing and protecting intellectual capital.

Art Storers
Art Storers and movers are responsible for protecting, moving and storing valuable pieces of art thereby maintaining their value over shipment or long term storage.

Art Critics
Similar to film or book critics, an art critic would be responsible for communicating an assessment and an opinion of various forms of creative works of art, thereby providing fodder for the “layman’ to understand an artist or their piece.

Art Creditors/Lenders
High value items including homes, cars, jewelry are often paid for on credit either for their intrinsic value or for the value they hold to the buyer. As these items are currently finding markets in Nigeria and West Africa to be acquired on credit, consequently art should find room as well.

Art Historians
Art History plays an important role in understanding cultures before formal languages and education and in cases of language differences, it is still used to broker understanding between people. The importance of art historians in how art is valued will be compiling and sharing information about pieces which does put art pieces in context of its valuation.

Art Promoters
One of the most prominent faces in promoting West African Art in general is ArtX lagos which has been able to grow into a prominent event bringing in over 4000 people per year. This is perhaps the only face of art promotion in West Africa as regards to putting art onto the mainstream and while its success and that of Artnoiseng, Arthouse contemporary and more will tell you there is room for art in the mainstream media and platforms there should be more and more faces promoting the creation of African art.

In summary these roles will not only improve the value of art in the Nigerian Market, but will also provide new careers and professional roles in the Art world. The next “Point of View” discussion is scheduled for 4th November, 2019.