Today is the 14th day of May 2022, marking the end of this art exhibition in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The Exhibition theme, “The shadows that Follow Us” was inspired by the hunt for me by people that I may have unwittingly offended in my last exhibition in Jos, Nigeria. Some of the artworks in that exhibition frontally attacked the Boko Haram and their sponsors. I however did not know the effect or severity of these criticisms until most of the paintings that had been displayed in that exhibition were both burnt and destroyed on Saturday, June 5th, 2021
Remains of 2021 Art Exhibition
Here’s a poem responding to that experience as an artist:
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In the Shadows of May
In the heart of Abuja, where shadows linger,
I stand at the end, paintbrush still in hand,
Fourteen days of whispers, courage, and fear,
Yet my spirit remains, unbroken, unplanned.
“The Shadows That Follow Me,” a theme born of strife,
From the ashes of Jos, my voice found its flight.
With colors that spoke of a truth I must share,
I painted my heart, in the depths of the night.
They sought to extinguish the fire I ignited,
With threats and with silence, they tried to confine,
But art is a beacon, a force undivided,
In the face of oppression, it dares to shine.
Each brushstroke a protest, each canvas a cry,
Against shadows of tyranny, whispers of hate,
I may have unwittingly stirred the dark skies,
But my resolve only strengthens, I won’t hesitate.
For every piece lost, a new vision will rise,
From the embers of conflict, my spirit will soar,
I embrace the discomfort, the pain, and the lies,
Art is my weapon, my heart’s open door.
So here’s to the shadows, the battles we face,
To the stories that linger, the truths we must tell,
I will not be silenced, nor fade without a trace,
In the light of my passion, I shall always dwell.
“The Shadows that Follow Me”, Mixed Media on Wood, by Ernest Obukx Agoba
“The Strings of Fear”, Acrylic on Canvas, by Ernest Obukx Agoba
More than ever before, my mind is more occupied with the thought of freedom, not only for the victims who are going through torture daily in Nigeria. It is equally worried about me who may have suddenly gotten in front of their view. Every day, now, I see shadows on the walls, on the ceiling, on the patio, and the walkways of my mind. The herdsman’s shadows follow us everywhere we go, with sticks, horns, guns, and knives, they follow us. But why would I run from mere shadows? They may be mere thoughts. Our thoughts may be the strings that hold us bound
Embracing Shadows
In a world that often feels overwhelming, it’s easy to let our fears dictate our actions. The shadows that haunt us—those persistent doubts and insecurities—can seem daunting, leading many to retreat and hide. But what if we viewed these shadows differently? What if we recognized them as mere thoughts, threads that bind rather than barriers that confine us? Shadows, in this context, represent our innermost fears, regrets, and uncertainties. However, these thoughts may not facts; they may be reflections of our fears and insecurities, often exaggerated and distorted. When we run from them, we give them power—a power that can stifle our creativity, hinder our progress, and keep us from living our fullest lives..
