Pirates reaffirm commitment to leveraging art for social good

The Pirates Confraternity, also known as the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging art for social good.

Speaking at the three-day Visual Arts exhibition -Art Ova Yap- a pioneering event poised to redefine the intersection of art, advocacy, and identity in Nigeria’s contemporary cultural space, held in Owerri, Imo State capital, the International President of NAS, Dr. Joseph Oteri said the association was committed to utilising all available instruments to elevate under presented voices and foster dialogue that promotes understanding and empathy.

According to Oteri, “Art extends beyond mere self-expression; it serves as a reflection of our era, a conduit for bridging cultural divides, and a medium for amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.”

Oteri emphasized the role of art in sparking social movements and inspiring meaningful reforms.

“Historically, art has sparked social movements and inspired meaningful reforms, consistently reminding us of our collective responsibility to pursue justice and compassion,” he said.

The NAS leader encouraged attendees to support artists, share their stories, and champion public policies that safeguard creative freedom and broaden access to the arts.

“I encourage each attendee to move beyond appreciation and into impactful action: support these artists, share their stories, and champion public policies that safeguard creative freedom and broaden access to the arts,” Dr. Oteri urged.

The art exhibition, “Art Ova Yap,” is a testament to the group’s commitment to using art for social advocacy and community engagement, adding that the event was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Olu Ajayi, a renowned figure in the art world and valued member of NAS.

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Also NAS Museum and Archives Chief Curator, Dr. A Sikuade noted that the exhibition broke new grounds as being unique in the annals of non-governmental multi-cultural groups in Nigeria, which started from a student base in 1953, and now percolates the six continents of this world.

“In fact, in actuality, the whole of the Pirates Confraternity is the embodiment of artistic creativity in all ramifications, of song, dance, pantomime and literature, and to this we now add the plastic and creative arts.

In his address, former Managing Director, Nigeria and Export Processing Zone (NEPZA) and Quill Master, Cosmos Virtual Island, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said the exhibition “is a stirring celebration of the Confraternity’s enduring legacy of activism now expressed through brush strokes, sculptures, digital renderings, and mixed media.”

He disclosed that the proceeds and visibility from the exhibition would support the Pyratical Museum and Archives Project, a repository dedicated to preserving the organisation’s rich legacy of resistance, activism, and social reform.

In addition to late Olu Ajayi and Ebun Aleshinloye, a foremost Editorial Cartoonist, the exhibition features, some of the most vibrant and daring Pyrate-Artists working today such as Pius Waritimi, Chuks Onwudinjo, Chuma Anagbado, Emeka Ihejirika, Chikezie Obilor.