A Conceptual Artist, Dr Omawumi Kola-Lawal, says art holds the power to rebuilding communities and reviving local economies by fostering civic pride, creating jobs and inspiring social transformation.
Kola-Lawal said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
Kola-Lawal, who is also an environmental specialist, said art offers more than aesthetic value and can be an economic and emotional stabiliser for communities.
According to Kola-Lawal, beyond creating jobs, art projects can open up opportunities for public-private collaborations.
She explained that when governments promote art, they were not just supporting artists, but investing in national identity, community well-being and the imagination of future generations.
“Historically, this was one of the ways Western economies were rejuvenated after the first and second world wars.
“Out-of-work artists were commissioned to create murals and sculptures in public spaces and placed on stipends.
“These initiatives didn’t just provide livelihoods; they created lasting landmarks of beauty and identity.
“Many of those sites still attract tourists today, decades later,” she said.
She said such programmes not only empower artists economically, but also enrich the public spiritually and culturally.
The artist further said public and community art not only beautify spaces, but also foster civic pride and improve sustainability.
“It’s much harder to deface or neglect an area graced by meaningful art,” she added.
Kola-Lawal emphasised that beyond economic returns, art also served as a medium for reflection and emotional healing, particularly in times of instability or unemployment.
“Channelling people’s creative abilities into productive, visible projects can uplift morale, improve mental health, and foster a collective sense of hope,” she said.
Speaking on artists’ role as agents of social change, she observed that they were the storytellers, historians and cultural ambassadors, who told stories about issues too difficult to discuss or admit exist.
“We can provoke reflection and dialogue on social issues, making us powerful catalysts for change.
“Through visual expression, the artist reflects community and social realities in a way that often reaches people more deeply than words can.
“Through visual storytelling, we can raise awareness about social constructs, injustice, environmental degradation and inequality,” she said.
Kola-Lawal urged the government for stronger involvement in promoting art, adding that public policies, including grants, tax incentives and public art commissions, could help integrate art into daily life and national identity.
“Integrating art into the school curriculum helps young people think creatively, reflect deeply, and appreciate beauty and meaning in the word around them,” she said.
NAN reports that a conceptual artist is someone who prioritises communicating an idea or concept behind a work of art rather than painting a perfect picture or sculpting a perfect form.
Kola-Lawal’s work explores the dimensions of social identities, sustainability, justice and resilience. (NAN)