With 50 art works for exhibition, Ronke Aina-Scott gauges the pulse of society
Strengthening the bond between her and her talent, Ronke Aina-Scott is set to ‘go solo’. But for the strong passion she has for arts, she could have ended up as one of those closet artists whose talents have been swallowed by demands of office.
She developed love for fine art since the time she was a child – often cuddling crayons and drawing pads. But adult life spelt out some different professional paths for her. First, she worked as a journalist before she moved into the banking sector. Currently, Aina-Scott works with Fidelity Bank Plc.
In spite of the ‘diversion’, however, her case has proved that the hand of talent can be longer than occupational necessities – adapting a proverb from Zainab Alkali’s novel, Stillborn.
Apart from having been part of a number of joint exhibitions, – including Best of Ife ’95; Minaj TV Exhibition, 1997 and Naija Woman Exhibition, 2007 – Aina-Scott is set to crown her exploits as a visual artist with a solo exhibition starting in Lagos on June 22. The exhibition themed ‘Colours of my Mind’ is slated for Mydrim Gallery Ikoyi, with the artist, who studied Fine Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, noting that she will have 50 works on display.
Before she joined the corporate world, she was a founding graphic artist at Daily Independent. She currently heads the Design and Production Unit of the Marketing and Communications Group of Fidelity Bank.
On how she copes as a married woman, a banker and a painter, she says, “I grew up appreciating the value of hard work. Through hard work, perseverance and determination, you can accomplish anything you set your heart to do. I am very passionate about what I do in the bank, which is very demanding. But I am also passionate about art.”
With many of the 50 works on offer, she is trying to address various issues, while also appreciating some aspects of African culture. Three of them have messages bordering on environmental issues. For instance, ‘Where are the Trees’ speaks against deforestation and the need to cultivate the habit of tree planting.
Expected as the Special Guest of Honour and Chairman at the exhibition is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi. Aina-Scot, however, says other directors of the bank are also going to honour her with their presence.