Art Can Kill Corruption - Joe Musa

Joe Musa: Presently the NGA is partnering with the Edo State Government to secure a permanent space for us to use for our services. We’re currently being accommodated by the Oba Akenzua Cultural Complex along Airport Road, and there are a lot already going on.The new out. Station in Benin serves as a link between Art practioners and headquarters of the NGA in Abuja. Artists and stakeholders here can expect maximum support and promotion of the rich art and cultural heritage of this state . I am from this state myself, from Ihievbe in Owan East.

Art Alive: Sir, how true is the claim that Art can be a panacea for corruption? I mean, in what practical and realistic way can Art itself solve the overwhelming endemic problem of corruption that have long been entrenched into the very fabric of our national life and existence, so to say?
Joe Musa: yes, Art can deal with corruption in Nigeria. Artists can change society. Art is a major influence and an efficacious tool for effective communication, lasting change and re-socialisation. Art is the moulder of the human mind, depending on how you want to use it. Thus, it can influence the society for good or for bad.

Take for instance you’re in the media – the fourth estate of the realm. Right within the fourth estate alone, Artists of skill and talent, especially cartoonists, have been making statements, strong statements on political issues critical to our national life. What we could do is to bring these statements together in an exhibition, etc. When we use it under a concentration, we can use it to turn the society around for good.

I am a painter, and through my paintings I have been deeply involved in communicating for social change in our society. For instance, “ NIGHT LIFE” was a social commentary I once put up for change via painting – that’s my way. My focus now, though, is on celebrating womanhood. The woman is a major influence in the society but we have grossly neglected and relegated women in Nigeria. Now I’m focused on re-orientating Nigerians to value and respect women because they shape our nation, whether we know it or not. A woman gave birth to you and me!

Art Alive: The NGA seems to be in the fastlane of Art promotion in Nigeria these days. What is the secret for the “rude awakening”?

Joe Musa: The time you wake up is your morning. The NGA just woke up. One of our major achievements are these new programmes we are running for the visual Arts, to open the frontiers for young Nigerian Artists to be encouraged and promoted locally, courtesy of the presidency, through the ministry of culture and Tourism.

We want to make Art a front page news. We want to make Art become a major economic tool for Nigeria . Artists can appear in front pages of the news papers for their works. Artists don’t need to go to abroad to be exhibited, promoted and patronized. Artists don’t need to die before being celebrated. They can be celebrated while still alive. The NGA wants to make it happen here in our country. We want to market the National Gallery of Art as the first destination point for tourists and holiday makers who come into the country. We want to position it the way it ought to have been from day one, that is to serve as the primary destination not only for research but also for entertainment as well as a place that embodies the cultural history of Nigeria.

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