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Why Art?

I can instinctively
say that it’s a part of me. Before I studied art, I studied Marketing
at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in 1986, but it wasn’t my dream. It
was my Father’s. I was not satisfied. As I matured I figured out what I
wanted and went for it. Now I am fulfilled. As a kid I used to do
graffiti, scribbling on my workbooks and get distracted in class,
drawing on my books. So I figure I was meant to be an artist. You could
be earning a lot of money and be unfulfilled but for me, life is not
about monetary acquisition but about being true to yourself. Art is
somewhat trans-visceral for me, especially when I am working in the
studio. I get carried away and forget my immediate surroundings and
needs.

Training

I studied Fine Arts
at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1992 and 1999 and graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons). I specialised in Painting because I
have a flair for colours. Colours are fluid and you can spread and
control them. I consider painting the queen of art.

Medium

I am of the opinion
that there is no one best medium, in the same way that all parts of the
human body are of equal importance. It’s a medley of all the parts that
form the human body. I handle all the mediums, but sometimes it depends
on my mood. I have worked with wood, nails, chalk and charcoal and many
other mediums, but I catch myself using more of oil on canvas. However,
I play with all the mediums because I like the diversity involved.

Influences

I have been
influenced by some of the best. Some of my favourites include: Leonardo
Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Thomas Kincaid, Salvador Dali, Jerry Buhari and
Abiodun Olaku, among others.

Inspiration

Any number of
things from Jazz music to the sea. I am influenced by a lot of things
because I am versatile by nature. Yoga is just one of my many hobbies.
Its meditative nature aids my creativity. Sometimes too when I am at an
ebb, I get highly concentrating and that becomes some sort of carthasis
for me. Pain and pleasure bring inspiration.

Best work so far

The best is yet to
come. I have had good ones though. However I keep expecting more from
myself, so I will not give tags as to which of my works is best or not.

Least satisfying work

I have them but I
will not name titles. When I compare my experience as a visual artist
now to that I had 15 years ago, I realise there is a lot of difference
and so some of my present works seem to me improved versions of the
ones of the previous years.

Career high point

Years ago I had an
exhibition in absentia in Canada, in which 40 slides of my work were
displayed. I got immense thrill out of that.

Favourite artist living or dead

Leonardo Da Vinci.
I admire him greatly because he was very dynamic. He did everything
from painting to inventing. His work will continue to inspire
generations to come.

Ambitions

Making impact that will continue to resound centuries after I am gone, like Da Vinci.