BENIN CITY 2007.
Colo Mentality; The thing wea black no good na foreign things them dey like
George Osodi is a documentary photographer with passion for using his stills to create public awareness
George was a former photo-journalist with notable Nigerian newspapers before making photography a mission to tell stories that humans can relate to.
If George Osodi’s Niger Delta documentation of recklessness in the midst of plenty did not make the world to start having a rethink of the problems of the people from the Niger Delta region, then his photo essay of Kings and Monarchs was enough for the world to applaud the moving photographer who pictures what others don’t see.
Just as he explained to the AL Jazeera journalist and filmmaker documenting his photo Odyssey, ‘I am always on the move.’ Creating public awareness on issues affecting humanity has been the Forte of George. Most times, his life is at risk.
The restitution, returning stolen artworks battles have been a long debated issue in Africa. And all of a sudden, the Benin Kingdom is at the center of the latest news. Series of consultations and expeditions have been done and embarked upon to resolve the issues of stolen artworks during the Benin Invasion. The invasion was a punitive one from the British but sacked the kingdom of its glory.
But the current internal wrangling going on in the Kingdom of Edo, a place known for their rich culture and art, is nothing worthy of celebration.
Fela Kuti a great revolutionary and prophet tried to remind us that even though our colonial masters freed us long ago we have refused to free ourselves from colonial bondage.
In 1897, the British Army looted thousands of great artworks created by the Benin people and their importance was well appreciated in Europe and the west. Now the process to repatriate the stolen artifacts is ongoing, suddenly there is confusion between the government and the Royal Benin family on who to take custody.
More than 100years after these works were stolen, the same Benin people and artists have not stopped producing great works, yet no government or other institution has been serious about supporting and promoting these artists to make their works more relevant generally.
we need to wait for OYINBO to endorse our art before we attach interest ?
Article/George Osodi /additional article /Ireho Aito /photographs /George Osodi.
