Seasoned artist, Christie Akinsanya, overcomes challenges posed by cancer to exhibit her works, AKEEM LASISI writes
A veteran Nigerian artist, Christie Akinsanya, is currently redefining the relationship between art and life. Based on the story of her battle with cancer, she is currently staging an exhibition at the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, Lagos. Entitled I am Alive – it features many paintings whose beauty seem to be particularly enriched by her strength and the grace that have so far secured her triumph over the dreadful health scourge
In the course of 2013, stakeholders in the art industry were worried at the spate of health problems that some of the leading artists faced. These include David Dale who is down with stroke. The development had prompted some collectors and art promoters to initiate a health insurance scheme for practitioners.
But while that was going on, Akinsanya, whose husband, Otunba Segun Akinsanya, is a diplomat, was already planning the exhibition that eventually attracted many dignitaries and art lovers to the gallery on Saturday, when it opened. She has survived three cancer operations, making some people to think that she is like the proverbial cat with many lives.
The woman who studied Fine Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was first diagnosed with cancer in 1997. She says, “In 2009, I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the cervix. This was my second cancer in the space of 12 years. It was a difficult time for my family and me. I was discouraged, to say the least. At this point I had been painting, driven by my many experiences, and I had hoped to exhibit in Nigeria for the first time ever during the period. Art is my passion and I wanted the opportunity to express it in my home country.”
She adds that after she eventually got better, it was when she was sitting at home that she rediscovered her love for art. Most of the works on exhibition were produced between 2008 and 2009, just before her diagnosis.
“I believe life is a gift and should not be taken for granted,” the artist popularly called Jibs, as she also bears, Ajibike, notes. “I am honoured to have a fourth chance at life and another opportunity to exhibit my works. My inspiration for the pieces is taken from a variety of sources, but the major inspiration for the exhibition is the fact that I am alive.”
Some of the works on display portray Akinsanya as an artist influenced by culture, nature and her travels across countries where she has sojourned with her husband. These are evident in works such as Dance, Culture, Flowers, Beauty of Moscow Royalty in Nigeria, It’s Heavy, Labour and Animals.
Others include Pink, Milky, Wulewule, Drummer, Go Slow, Laugh, Igwe Lolo, Rowrow, Destiny and Head Tie. Apart from several members of Akinsanya’s immediate family who rallied round her – her husband, who is the Otunba Olumodan of Ijebuland, was particularly elaborately involved – other prominent people present were the founder of the First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun; a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major-General Ike Nwachukwu; and Joint Chief Medical Director of the Eko Hospital, Dr Sunny Kuku. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was represented by the Alaye of Odeogbolu, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa.
They variously stressed the importance of art and culture and saluted Akinsanya for her steadfastness in the development of her talent in spite of the challenges she has experienced.
Otunba Akinsanya also describes his wife as a loving mother, vintage artist and an epitome of creativity and excellence.
He notes, “She radiates love, care and hard work, all qualities that complement my public and diplomatic career spanning more than three decades in the Nigerian foreign service in, the UN and the Pan African Institution where I currently serve.”
He adds that she had adorned embassies where he served with her works and staged exhibitions in countries that include Russia and Ethiopia.
On the significance of Akinsanya’s works, popular artist, Kolade Osinowo, notes that it is instructive that wherever she went with the husband, she always made her presence as a professional artist felt.
Osinowo explains, ‘It is a phenomenal experience to have survived cancer operation thrice. Even one of such experiences takes life. So, it is commendable that she is staging an exhibition like this. One thing we should also know is that part of the beauty of art is that when you energise yourself in it, it is therapeutic. It helps to take away grief and pain.”
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