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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 14:27:36
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Comrade Ebou Madi Sillah
Art Gallery Opens At Arch 22
Readers would recall that on the 26 April this year Memorial Foundation was launched at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne with the primary objective of preserving the legacy of the late Gambian master-artist, Comrade Ebou Madi sillah. The establishment of this Memorial Foundation was said to have been the initiative of the friends and family of the late artist and is basically aimed to preserve the works of art of Comrade Sillah and to promote and support art and education and artists in The Gambia. It is in this regard that activities are being under taken by the Foundation inorder to generate resources to support the realisation of its objectives. Hence the establishment of an Art Gallery for the display and sale of some of the reprinted art works (paintings) of Comrade.
In this interview, the Foroyaa Art and Culture Column’s Musa Barrow talks to Ya Jorr Bah-Sillah, the widow of the late Comrade Ebou Madi Sillah, who is managing the Art Gallery at the Arch 22 in Banjul.
Foroyaa: How did this whole idea of Comrade Ebou Madi Sillah Foundation come about?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: This was an initiative of the friends of Comrade Sillah who came up with the idea after his demise which they shared with the family members, who gave it their full endorsement and wholehearted support. This is how the whole thing started.
Foroyaa: Since the inception of the Foundation, what are some of the activities it has been involved in?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: Well, since its inception we have embarked on a lot of activities. First of all, there was the launching ceremony which was preceded by an exhibition. There is an Executive Board of the Foundation which meets every forthnight to discuss, review and plan activities to be embarked on or carried out toward the realization of the objectives of the Foundation. The Foundation was engaged in capacity building and that through its membership in ASSET has supported three of its members, including myself, to undertake a training course in basic computer skills at theYMCA after which we will be managing the operations and administration of the Foundation’s Museum, Gallery and Office. We have been engaged in the creation of a Website which will soon be operational. The website address is www.gambiaartcomrade.gm . A limited number of reprints of the paintings of Comrade Sillah are available for sale at the Gallery. We are also engaged in the process of securing a land to serve as a permanent base that will house a Museum cum Art Gallery and office space for the Foundation. So far, the process and plans are progressing smoothly.
Foroyaa: What does the foundation hope to achieve?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: Basically, the objectives of the Foundation are to preserve the legacy of Comrade Ebou Madi Silah, a Gambian master artist, and his various art works such as the paintings that are with me. The Foundation also hopes to support the promotion of art and art education in The Gambia, so that we can have more artists who will follow the footsteps of Comrade Sillah. Infact that had always been Comrade’s wish and desire because as you may know Comrade Sillah had been a teacher all throughtout his professional career teaching art at all the senior levels of education. He first started at Sukuta Secondary School as an art teacher. Later on he progressed to Gambia College as an art lecturer. After his retirement from active government services, he was engaged as a lecturer of Artistic Traditions at the University of The Gambia. He was an artist par excellence who has always been working to inspire and impart artistic skills and talents to students and upcoming artists. The Foundation would therefore help artists by organising exhibitions in which the art work of Comrade Sillah and other artists will be put on display. We will also establish a museum cum art galley where the works of art or artefacts of Comrade Sillah will be put on display and also sold. Since most of the activities require resources, the Foundation wants to embark on a fund raising drive to generate the needed resources so as to support the realisation of the objectives it has set for itself.
Foroyaa: Has this Foundation been registered?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: The Foundation is a registered non profit and charitable organisation.
Foroyaa: Why is Comrade Sillah called a master artist?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: Well, Comrade Sillah was an excellent artist. Apart from these paintings that you see on display in this gallery, Comrade Sillah had made many works such as paintings, posters, pamphlets and logos for institutions, companies, organisations and private individuals.
He has also designed and constructed a lot of monuments that you see around the greater Banjul area such as the ‘Youth monument’ at Westfield, ‘Peace monument’ at the entrance of Independence Stadium in Bakau, ‘Gambia at Work’ in Brusubi, ‘Gender Equality’ at Cape Point,’ ‘Oyster Woman’ at Old Cape road as well as “Heritage Trail’, ‘Never Again’ monuments in Juffureh and Albreda and others in hotels and private homes.
Foroyaa: Coming to this gallery here at the arch 22nd, what is it all about?
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: As you can see, this gallery is at the top most floor of the Arch 22nd which is situated at the entrance of the capital city of Banjul. The Foundation has secured the place from the National Centre for arts and Culture (NCAC). At this place (the Arch), you have the Comrade Ebou Madi Sillah Art Gallery, a batik shop and museum operated by the NCAC.
At this art gallery, we have on display some of the reprints and original art works of Comrade Sillah. The reprints and not the originals are for sale. We are therefore inviting art lovers, friends of Comrade Sillah, institutions, hotels, bars and restaurants and individuals, both inside and outside of The Gambia to come and visit the gallery to marvel themselves with the art works of Comrade Sillah and to patronize the Foundation by buying the reprints, house and office interior decorations, wedding and birthday anniversary presents, correspondence (postcards). If you visit and patronize the gallery, you will be helping the Foundation in its efforts toward preserving the legacy of Comrade and supporting art and art education in The Gambia.
Schools and interested art students can also visit the gallery.
Foroyaa: What sort of a man was Comrade Sillah?
Ya Jorr Bah-Shillah: Comrade Sillah was a very good husband and father. Apart from being an artist Comrade was also an intellectual who was interested in acquiring and sharing knowledge. He was a real socialite who was interested in the welfare of others and was very helpful. He was someone who hated injustice.
Foroyaa: Who are the members of this board that runs the foundation?
Ya Jorr Bah-Sillah: The Board of Trustees is composed of the friends, colleagues and family of Comrade Sillah. Its chairman is Alieu Jallow. And the other members are Baboucar Gaye, Baaba Sillah, Momodou C. Joof, Dr. Badou Senghore, Dr. Katim Touray, Njogou Touray (artist), Mamanding Kuyateh, Serigne Jobe, Abdoulie Sallah (Lord), Dr. Bai Ebrima Lowe, Saul Sillah, myself, Aunty Amie Sillah, Assan Sillah and Ousman Sillah, the Secretary. Mr. Mustapha Njie of Taf Holdings, also a friend and brother, is the chief patron of the Foundation.
Foroyaa: Do you collaborate with other institutions?
Ya Jorr Bah-Sillah: Yes the Foundation has established good working relations with various institutions in the country that have been very supportive to its cause. These include the office of the Vice President, the Department of State for Tourism and Culture, the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), Gambia Family Planning Association and various other individuals who have been and continue to support the Foundation by purchasing the paintings for the decoration of their homes, hotel rooms, lounges and restaurants and offices.
Foroyaa: Any final word?
Ya Joor Bah Sillah: I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Foundation, to thank all the media houses in this country, namely your own medium, the Foroyaa, the Point, Daily Observer, News and Report, GRTS (Television and Radio), Gambia Daily, City Limits Radio and West Coast Radio for the extensive coverage and publicity that you have given and continue to give the Foundation and its activities.
Foroyaa: Thank you very much.
Ya Jorr Bah Sillah: It’s a pleasure.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 128/2007, 31 October - 1 September, 2007
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