Wabi-sabi: 侘寂)

Dear Helen Chang,

Imagine how one can have an intelligent discussion on the aesthetics and the ethics of life with someone who does not know the difference between Wassily Kandinsky and Jerry Buahri.

Only a primitive society lacks the simple knowledge of art appreciation. So, I do see them as really primitive homo sapiens even though they can speak some good English and aha ah, they can even blog! But yet they are clueless about the essence of human existence, except the daily wake up, eat and go to work and social and personal gossip of their temporal lives of perishable acquisitions and possessions.

Let me give them a short list for their art education, because if we do not educate them, how can they appreciate the gems of our precious lives.

Ada Udechukwu, Afam Okwudili, Alex Nwokolo, Ato Arinze, Ben Enwonwu, Ben Osawe, Bisi Fakeye, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Chika Idu, Chinwe Uwatse, Damola Adepoju, David H Dale, Dubem Osaji, Edosa Ogiugo, George Edozie, El Anatsui, Elizabeth Izah, Emmanuel Ekpeni, Emmanuel Mbanefo, Erhabor Emokpae, Frank Anammah, Gabriel Emengo, Ini Brown, Jerry Buhari, Jimoh Buraimoh, Joe Amenechi, Kelechi Amadi, ObiKofi Asemnyinah, Kolade Oshinowo, Krydz Ikwuemesi, Kunle Adeyemi, Chief Muraina Oyelami, Ndidi Dike, Obiora Obieze, Obiora Udechukwu, Okpu Eze, Ola Balogun, Prof. Uche Okeke, Rufus Ogundele, Sam Ovraiti, Sussane Wenger, Tayo Adenaike, Tola Wewe,Twin Seven Seven, Uche Edochie, Veronica Otigbo-Ekpei and Zinno Orara.

Of course, I have excluded Michael Chima from the list, lest the naive and ignorant hordes accuse me of bragging.

Let me appreciate the gems of the Nigerian genius.
How many of them hip-hopping all over the place can appreciate the intellectual depth of Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Funsho Ogundipe, Fela Sowande, Joshua Uzoigwe, Sam Akpabot and the other masters of Nigerian music.

Oh poor Morning Glory.
Who will tell your story?