MASTER CARVER AT WORK By Green Wilfred Somoni.webm

This video takes us through the creative process of a veteran visual artist (a master carver )in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Pius Obudou Waritimi. The majority of the video showcases the creation of a project close to his heart “The Fisherman’s Parlor”. This project holds a huge weight of significance as it represents the heritage and profession of most of the indigenous people of the Niger Delta, which is Fishing. Rapidly fading away as a source of livelihood due to adverse effects of crude oil exploration on the rivers and the migration of recent generation of people to cities, the Fisher Man's Parlor stands as a reminder to the world that fishing is part of the foundation of the people of the Niger Delta, and to encourage the conservation of that profession through modern industrialization methods. Also showcased in this video is an abstract work of art activism by Mr. Waritimi, titled “Lack”. Represented as armless figures with open mouths seeking water from a dry tap, Lack is a protest against corruption by the Nigerian government which has deprived the masses of basic needs which can be provided easily. I took up the challenge to film strictly with my phone for this su