The Legend and the Man Mangiri

The Legend and the Man Mangiri THE LEGEND AND THE MAN Mangiri, Stanley Golikumo (Ph.D) Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Niger Delta University, Wiiberforce Island Bayeisa State, Nigeria [email protected] Abstract Every artist of every age do impact the people and environment which he belongs. As such many Nigerian artists have expressed themselves through their art works in different media on the social, cultural, political, and economic experiences in various degrees, qualities, and techniques. Many of these artists have been studied in some ethnic groups in Nigeria but not much attention has been given to the study of artists of Ijo of the Niger Delta. The artists of I jo ethnic groups appear to have been over - sighted by researchers. Hence, the research focused on the study of Jackson Ayarite Waribugo - his status, family life, works of art and their influence on the society. This is also aimed at terminating the era of publications on Ijo which reflects the Western perception of the region. That is hope of a new approach towards the understanding of the ijo, its artists, its works of art, its people and its vast potential. The paper attempts to present a detailed record of modern Ijo artistic heritage. Instruments such as interview, and photographic recordings of visuals were used to achieve the desired objective. The study reveals that the artist combined perceptual and conceptual tendencies by expressing cultural identity through the use of Western idioms. At the same time, it provides basic information on the activities of each zone as an integral part of the national and international community. Introduction Jackson Ayarite Waribugo was born on the 15th November, 1942 at Okpoma in Nembe Local Government Area in Bayeisa State. He was the son of Mr. Waribugo Danjo and Madam Molly Ina- David. Jackson was the first of seven children of his parents. Until his death, he was the only survivor. All the other children had died earlier. He started his primary education at St. Paul's School, Okpoma and read up to primary four and completed his primary school at St. Luke's school, Nembe in 1962. At his primary school level, he was recognized as a talented artist. According to Egba, Jackson assisted his teachers to draw teaching aids and painted portraits. Soon after his primary school he took to portrait painting and wood carving. Jackson Ayarite Waribugo (1942-1989) The Social Justice: An International Journal on Humanities and Social Science: Vol 11. No 2. May 2015 The Legend and the Man Mangiri Plate 1 The Artist: His Beginning In a bid to improve himself; Jackson left home 1964 to the Northern part of the country (the particular town was not mentioned) in order to get enlisted into the Nigerian Army. He had disappointment in his plans and soon after joined his uncle Mr. L.D. Marcus in Lagos. It was in Lagos that he started his carving; because they lived close to a carpentry workshop. At this point, he started carving fish and walking sticks as souvenir items. It was one of such occasions in 1967 where he gave a walking stick to the first Military Governor of Rivers State, Chief Alfred Diete Spiff that he was recognized as a talented young artist. He was only known as a talented and professional artist who was self-taught. This specialized professionalism in him at his early age beamed his artistic light to the knowledge of the government and people around him. This was corroborated by his childhood friend Ikelemotei, that "Professor" Waribugo as he was fondly called because of his creative genius, was endowed with restless ambition that coupled with his ennobling gift carried him to the fashionable world of the urban city where the government and the wealthy became his patrons. When Rivers State was created in 1967, the seat of the government was at Lagos. It was in 1969 that the government had its operation base in Port Harcourt. In 1969 when the Rivers State Government moved to Port Harcourt from Lagos, Jackson Waribugo also moved to Port Harcourt at the instance of the Military Governor of Rivers State. He become a guest of the Government. Waribugo who was favoured by the then Government headed by A.P. Diete-Spiff got employment with the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture. The few, sketchy literature available on him agrees that Jackson A. Waribugo was a versatile sculptor who works on stone, marble, brass and bronze. At the time of this research, there was no sculpture piece of stone, marble, brass or bronze for analysis. They were either sold or lost before now. As an employee of the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture, he was commissioned to mount sculpture pieces at some parks and squares, for example the composition at the presidential hotel, The Social Justice: An International Journal on Humanities and Social Science: Vol 11. No 2, May 2015 89 The Legend and the Man Mangiri Jackson A. Waribugo, gods and goddesses, Cement, Life Size, 1970, Picture by Mangiri S.G., Presidential Hotel premises, Port Harcourt Travel and Triumph In 1970 he started his experimental sculpture pieces in cement. After executing these sculpture pieces, he was given scholarship to study abroad. He was trained in Italy. He completed his programme bn record time of three years instead of four years. His first assignment in school was to produce a burst on marble. Because the finishing was extremely fine, his teacher Professor Tiko had the impression that Jackson was sent to compete with him. He therefore, ordered that Jackson be sent back to his country. Quite unfortunately both Jackson and Prof. Tiko did not understand themselves. Jackson did not understand Italian language and Prof. Tiko did not understand English language. The only saving grace was the Dean of the Academy who understood simple English but could not speak fluently. Jackson therefore, wrote in English, explained that though he could carve very well he wants to learn the intricacies involves in sculpture. The Dean in turn explained this to Prof. Tiko before he was allowed to continue his programme. Jackson was hardworking and punctual to school. He was going to school early and he was closing late. The keys of the studios were handed over to him because of the confidence they had in him. He obtained a certificate and diploma in art specializing in sculpture at Academia Di Belle, Carrara, Italy. After graduation, he was offered appointment to teach at the Academy of Arts, Carrara, Italy but he turned down the offer. Again, the Academia La Niccoli where he used to do his summer jobs offered him another teaching job. He also refused to accept the offer, stressing that he would come back to his country Nigeria to share his knowledge and experience with others. An awakening in Old Rivers State on his return to Nigeria after his studies he established an art studio at Isaka Island for the training of young artists and mass production of art works. He operated from this studio and produced many works of art. Jackson A. Waribugo was appointed Cultural Officer 1st January, 1976. He rose to the rank of Principal Cultural Officer on 1st January, 1981 and later was the head of sculpture section. At that time the council experienced accommodation difficulties. Therefore, a temporary structure was used to house the sculpture section in Nembe. The sculpture section was charged with the responsibility of producing sculpture pieces in stone, marble, brass, wood, and trophies in silver, bronze and wood. According to the report, the section was also expected to experiment in metal casting, and to conduct research into local clay for possible industrial use. But due to inadequate work materials (which were expected to arrive from Italy), it was not possible for the section to operate as effectively as was expected. He made great efforts to improve and promote art particularly, sculpture in Old Rivers State (Dube/ Gloria). Though, no exhibition catalogue was available at the time of this research, Dube and Gloria of the Rivers State council for Arts and culture said, his works were mounted and displayed in many exhibitions/perhaps fairs of arts and culture festivals. He voluntarily retired from the services of the council with effect from 24th December, 1987. The Social Justice: An International Journal on Humanities and Social Science: Vol 11. No 2, May 2015 90 The Legend and the Man Mangiri , . Plate 2: Jackson Ayarite Waribugo It was revealed by one of his daughters, Mrs. Favour Anamaleze that her Father had a quiet disposition. Fie established himself as an audacious sculptor of modern life. Fie was an obsessive worker, Fie likes working all the time according to Dube, that, he had the vigorous, sociable and pleasing nature of an artist. His deep need for serenity and love taught him to curb his tongue. Fie does not talk much Mr. Dube added. Mr. Innocent Eabbaa Dube my informant again said, he had a room of love in his life for friends. Material success and personal prudence, however, never dulled the thrust of his art. Fie remained to his dying day, at the age of 47, a passionate Ijo who drew and sculpted things he saw around him and the emotion he felt for them, his account added. Mr. Dube said Waribugo was said to have died of cancer of the lungs as a result of Ijis excessive drinking and smoking. In Mr. Dube's words, Professor Waribugo was original, frank, modest, courageous and untroubled. Fie was untroubled because he had a carefree life style. Fie believed that one must die one day, so he never allowed any circumstance to disturb him.

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