Earth On Fire

By SALAMATU DAUDU

Craft Potters Association of Nigeria, (CPAN) recently concluded its 10th annual exhibition held at the National Museum, Onikan-Lagos. The six-day exhibition titled Earth & Fire 2008, gave young and excitingly refreshing potters a debut opportunity to showcase their art from 31 October  5 November, 2008. Some of the potters who spoke to NATIONAL MIRROR revealed that this was a first outing for them and were full of praises for CPAN. In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Brigadier General Shuaib Zibiri, saluted the courage of CPAN for sustaining its annual exhibition and improving on the quality of works produced despite daunting challenges.
In a chat with Mr. Ibukunoluwa Ayoola, National Secetary CPAN, he said the organisation started in1996 through the passion and commitment of a British woman, Joy Voisey who is a ceramist by profession. She came to Nigeria from Cambridge to engage in volunteer work and one of the ways she thought to help was bringing Nigerian ceramists under one umbrella so they can exhibit, evaluate and quantify their works. CPAN held its first ever exhibition in1996 at the British Council, Kaduna and has continued to host numerous exhibitions around the country.
Ayoola further enumerated on challenges potter's face which he attributed to lack of glazing materials. According to him glazing materials are not produced in Africa so it makes it difficult trying to source them overseas. “Most of our glazing materials, our oxide and colours are imported and you know when anything is imported, there is a big problem. The quantity and quality will be controlled by the importers, so we have to start developing on our own blazing materials and techniques.  This is very difficult in a country where there is no electricity; where you can not electrify things to test these samples”.
The event attracted droves of participants who competed for awards in three categories namely; Best Female Potter of the won by Ngozi Omeje; Most Creative Potter of the Year won by Sheriff Ojetunde, and Best New Member of the Year won by Akache Andrew. The winners were awarded their One hundred and Fifty Pounds (150) cash prize by Joy Voisey and Tony Ogoge (live patrons) who flew in from London for the event.