w: AFRICAN ART CONNOISSEUR, BUSINESS MOGUL, HOTELIER, TRADITIONAL CHIEF AND GALLERY OWNER, THE ADOLOR OF EMU, CHIEF JOSEPHINE OBOH MACLEOD OPINES

‘Only an auctioneer can be enthusiastic about all forms of Art’’-Oscar Wilde

MY ART STORY,BY ADOLOR OF EMU

‘I GREW up   seeing arts all over our home, I WAS AMAZED. Art is life’’

STORY COURTESY: MUDI DESIGN,AFRICA

Any attempt to uncover the real true Mrs. Josephine Oboh-MacLeod is definitely not a kid’s task

She is not a run of the mill lady, woman, wife, and mother. She is unconventional in many ways than one .The vivaciously charming lady is a master art collector and traditional lady, she is the Adolor of Emu, in Esan, EDO State

Indeed Any attempt to uncover the real true Mrs. Josephine Oboh-MacLeod is definitely not a run of the mill task. When we went to her Ikoyi home, we were held in total awe, maybe ruptured is more befitting word; from the gate, the corridor, passage etc we saw arts littered like nuts

Inside the inner chamber was a heaven like setting, all surrounded with arts works.

‘Are they for sale? ‘’ BUSINESS PEOPLE, asked first before seating down.  ‘No , they are our personal collections, it must not be strange to you, as I GREW up also as kid seeing arts all  over our home, I WAS AMAZED, art is my life, I not only sell them, I live by them’ was her frank reaction

Her husband, a most genteel man is British named, Norman C. MacLeod who is past chieftain of an honorary PIPER to the Lagos Caledonian SOCIETY, and a retired Shell petroleum international employee and also a director of Kakafoni limited is also a deep lover and investor of arts, who also love music

THOUGH the meeting was brief, she pledge based on her integrity to grant us a more elaborate audience at a later date to talk about her life, arts, exploit, international voyage, why she married a white man over her Nigerians admirers and of course how she got her prestigious title as ADOLOR OF EMU kingdom

All these are for later dates…………..but sure we are not about leaving her if she fail to tell us about the mystery of the arts works and art world

Here her: “ART IS A CREATIVE PROCESS THAT WILL NEVER STOP EXISTING. IT IS A GIFT TO US THAT WE NEED TO APPRECIATE. IF WE LOOK AROUND, WE WILL NOTICE THE BEAUTIFUL AND IMPERATIVE WORKS OF THE GREATEST ARTIST, THE ALMIGHTY’’

And on a business angle, she was quick to offer tips to the one ones who desires a career in art merchandising aka art auctioneering

In her frank view, to work as an art auctioneer, you will need to become both a specialist in fine art and a savvy business-person. As an art connoisseur, it is mandatory to have a passion in art as this is something that cannot be faked. In other words, you must love handling aesthetic objects like ceramics and paintings and be able to evaluate them in the art marketplace.

There are several ways to become an auctioneer: 1. it's your family's business; 2. attend auction school; and 3. apprenticeship.

Here are few steps to take to get started in your art ambition

THE TIPS BY THE ADOLOR OF EMU

Step 1. Becoming an expert in your field is the key to success. Many successful people only had a high school education; however in today’s competitive job market, a college degree is necessary. And to become a high level art expert, a graduate and even a doctorate degree in your area of specialization is required, though not a do or die, she advocated sound education for future merchants

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Step 2. The traditional; lady describe art sales and life in this vocation  as big money spinning and to be a success, she says “Visit previews and auctions, which are free and open to the public.”What to expect at a preview: The preview is when visitors can examine and sometimes handle the artworks that are slated for auction. The art auction house staff is on hand to discuss the condition, provenance, value and rarity of the artworks.

What to expect at an auction:

When an auction begins, visitors are seated and the artworks are no longer available for individual inspection. The auctioneer’s auction works by lot, in numerical order as they are listed in the catalog.

Step 3. Besides majoring in art, learn the business side by apprenticing in an auction house, art appraisal is vital line of life and to  become a Fine Art appraiser, is all about passion and willing to learn and be friends with artist, sculpture and all in the field

Step 4. As in any field, working hard is the surest way to become professionally successful and to climb that proverbial ladder.

Being employed in an art auction house requires staff members to work hard and to work collaboratively as there are constant deadlines and exacting details to focus on.

Step 5… Finally, the master artistic lady says like in all great filed, art is not different, and those who want to win big in that stage must learn to Communicate with people effectively. Remember that no person is an island. Communicate your thoughts and desires honestly, and encourage others to communicate honestly with you. Practice understanding and motivating other people.