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Why Art?

Art allows me to express myself and also inspire others in more ways than one. I can show people exactly what I see in a way that I compose it because sometimes people select only what they want to see; I am therefore able to focus on issues that mean the most to me and to my society.

Training

I studied Photojournalism as one of my undergraduate courses in Mass Communication. I picked up skills in film photography and darkroom techniques. I have mostly been self-taught in the digital era of photography, studying online, practising a lot and also learning from a few of my mentors.

Medium

Photography (Film and Digital).

Influences

My father got me my first camera as a child. I had seen black and white images by Sunmi Smart-Cole then and I had dreams to have my own. My uncle got me my first professional SLR film camera in 2003, a lot of change in technology and a few cameras later, I still get influenced by them and the work of many other photographers; too many to mention.

Inspirations

Time is my main inspiration. Every second is gone forever so I feel the need to document as many of those seconds as possible. Once time is captured, it can never be taken back. It never stops but we can look at the images and remember things exactly as they were (for images without photo manipulation). We enjoy the memory, try to change how we felt about the time it was taken or look up to it.

Best work so far

I was part of a project that supported cancer awareness and fundraising. It may not have been my best work in artistic terms but it was my best in terms of giving back to society. It felt good knowing that I could help in my own little way. The images were not gory in nature but they drove the message home to the people who saw them. I also love my aerial photography series of Abuja and Lagos, they make the cities and the people seem so small and fragile.

Least satisfying work

I’m not yet fully satisfied with my documentation of Nigerian cultural festivals. So far I’ve documented the Eyo festival, Osun-Osogbo festival, Durbars in Kano, Zaria and Niger, Argungu and the more modern carnivals but they do not seem to be enough. I want to get at least 5 more which includes the new yam festival and the not so popular others. I’m seeing it as a full body of work so I won’t get satisfied until it is complete, God willing.

Career high point

Every exhibition I’ve had has been a high point for me but this year, winning The Future Award for ‘Creative Artist of the year’ sealed it. It was pleasing to know that my peers and others felt that I was good enough to be nominated but winning made me feel highly appreciated and grateful. I now want to do so much more.

Favourite artist living or dead

I love different artists for different reasons. Selecting just one is impossible for me.

Ambitions

I want to inspire as many people as possible with my work; right now, tomorrow and eras after. I would love to encourage the Nigerian woman to try to be the best she can be and tell as many of our stories as possible through my photography.