NIGERIAN ART IN MINNEAPOLIS

Paintings never seen outside of Nigeria

PAINTINGS FROM KADUNA
First time shown in the USA

(MINNEAPOLIS) -- Abiola Oduyoye, Ben Aderige and Roseline Obadaki, all artists from Kaduna, Nigeria, will have work on view at Frank Stone Gallery July 18 -- 27. This marks the first time these paintings will be seen in the US and the first time they will be seen outside of Nigeria. The show opens with a free, public reception on Friday, 7/18, 5-10p.m. Gallery hours are 12 -- 5 p.m. on Sat. 7/19, Sun. 7/20 and Sat. 7/26, Sun. 7/27 or by appointment.
   Located in Kaduna State in Northern Nigeria, the city of Kaduna is most recently famous for the Miss World riots in November '02. Kaduna also has a very strong community of artists, whose work reflects other aspects of daily life among the turmoil.
   The Frank Stone Gallery is located at 1226 Second Street NE in Minneapolis. The public can call The Frank Stone Gallery at 612-617-9965 or visit www.frankstonegallery.com for more information. For media interviews, contact Julie Swenson at 952-921-7287 cell 612-747-7800.
Background on Nigeria
Following nearly 16 years of military rule in Nigeria, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The country and the new administration face the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues had been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability.
Recently, Kaduna has been the site of riots and petrol strikes that add fuel to the fire of the daily struggle of life in Nigeria. Yet, these three artists have managed to paint through it all and now their work is available for all of us to enjoy. The Frank Stone Gallery will host this showing, which marks the first time these paintings will be seen outside of Nigeria, and the first time they will be seen in the U.S. Its a unique opportunity to see art from this conservative city situated in northern Nigeria where there are no art supply stores, no Utrech outlets or even a place to have a canvass stretched. Their paintings represent the resilient spirit and willful determination of the Nigerian people to transcend these difficulties.