‘Arts doesn’t live here’

Can you tell us a little about yourself?My name is Zoza Icha. I’m from Kogi State. Unofficially, I spell it with an ‘x’, so Zoza or Xoxa works. I studied industrial design at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I majored in textile design and came out with a B.sc after four years. I’m under 30. How did […]

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Zoza Icha. I’m from Kogi State. Unofficially, I spell it with an ‘x’, so Zoza or Xoxa works. I studied industrial design at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I majored in textile design and came out with a B.sc after four years. I’m under 30.
 
How did your passion for arts start?
My parents have told me over the years that as a child, I was always fascinated with art. It was always my favourite subject. I took extra time with my art assignments and worked hard at them. I started learning to draw from tracing pictures through transparent paper. When I got a little more confident, I started copying pictures. At primary school, I was particular about my braided hairstyles. I wanted intricate patterns and tiny weaves. I wouldn’t mind sitting patiently for hours to get it done. By secondary school, it got more intriguing, I was experimenting with my clothes and every opportunity to go to the tailor resulted in something weird, but I wore them happily. They were my designs. University was where it all blew out. I’m one of the privileged Nigerians who actually studied a course that I wanted, not one that was tossed at me.
My passion for design grew each year and it was easy for my course mates to tell that I really loved this and that I would grow in it, my passion now is to see our Nigerian spaces look more like us. I want people to enter Nigeria and identify us by how our public spaces and homes look. Right now, I feel that Nigeria is only indentified globally by her suffering for many root reasons. Art is the seat of any nation’s identity. Art is music, language, dance, and theatre. It’s a lot more than painting or drawing as most people limit it to. Well, I really don’t know how art started for me, the best that I can say is that I was born with it!
 
How long have you been in this profession?
I’ve been an artiste all my life, but professionally, not very long. I’m just taking off really.
 
So far, what have been the challenges you have faced?
I’m not sure that it is my profession right now. As it is, I have a day job. I have always done my art on a small scale. People come into my house and ask where I bought something they see hanging on the wall. It’s always a delight to be able to say I made it myself. The shock on their faces thrills me. They get closer to look at them or touch to be sure of what they are seeing. I love that feeling that comes with such surprises. One day soon, I would be glad to call it my profession. I didn’t say ‘one day’ as per that kind of hopeless, empty and distant ‘one day’, I mean one day soon. I’m working very hard towards it and I will see it happen in my life time. I’m sure of it. As for the challenges, honestly, art is not always cheap to produce neither is it easy to sell. A wide majority of Nigerians don’t understand art and so they see no value in it. I am convinced that Nigeria takes her artists for granted.
 
Have you had any exhibition in Abuja or anywhere else?
No. I haven’t had any exhibition of my own. I have participated in competitions, even in literary art. My first big exhibition is coming up in December. It will be from the 12th-15th. I can’t give you details here, so that I don’t derail. The exhibition is called the ‘WHISPERS OF THE WEAVE’ and it is an exhibition for charity. It is my conviction that we can change peoples’ lives through the arts. We will be selling my works of art to raise money for the poor and neglected in rural areas and also to support returning trafficked migrants who need support in Nigeria. I’m really passionate about it and I’m pushing hard.
 
What inspired you to become an artist?
For a person like me, I can’t tell you that I have been inspired to be an artist. I am an artist! I was made with it….born this way. You could call it a condition if you like. I am a creative person, so I don’t have the kind of mind that dwells on the basic. So I guess, in answering, I can say that I am not an inspired artist, I’m a born artist. If I could channel the question another way, I could tell you what my understanding of the purpose of art is. I believe that art is a gift from God. It is that gift that has the potential to define life. Art is basically beautiful to look at in most cases, but it has so much more to it. It speaks a language that I wish more Nigerians would be open to understand and I don’t mean just the elite. A hungry man cannot appreciate art because he can’t eat it or feed it to his family, so he has no care for it. I pray the day would come in this country when we would understand the value of the gift of the arts.
 
How has arts influenced your life?
The influence that art has had on me is really not easy to describe. The art in me pushes me, it always dares me to try and over the years I have been trying all kinds of things and I have found confidence in the style that I have now. I look forward to developing more signature styles soon. Like I said, part of the beauty of art is the variety. There was a time when I used to envy some other artistic expressions that I was sure I wasn’t capable of. I’m grateful that I have grown into being able to appreciate them, while loving and trusting my unique style. The art in me has drawn a variety of people to me as well, all of whom I am very grateful for.

Do you work with other artists? If yes, what qualities do you look for in people you work with or other artists
I do work with other artists; it is always a pleasure to work with other artists. Many of my designs are multimedia and working with others goes a long way in putting my work together. I dream of starting a business that will bring artistes of different disciplines together. I am at the root of it now . . . like I said, I’m just getting started. Qualities I look out for: you must be disciplined, focused and have respect for deadlines. Most of all, I think it is important for an artist to stay true to their style.
                                                                                          
What is the medium of your art work?
I work with different media. In my December exhibition collection, my work will feature acrylic, pastel, water colour, ink, oil, paint, poster colour, wood, metal, beads, clay, jute and of course, fabric. I love variety. It’s daring but I got my hands around all. The December collection shows what we can do with our local fabric- our Ankara. The collection is all about fabric.
 
In your opinion should arts be funded and what roles should arts funding have to play in the society?
Thank God you asked me that. Yes! Art should be funded because it plays a major role in society. Can I say it any louder than this? What role could be more major than the National Identity and heritage of a people? I believe that the government needs to do more for the arts in Nigeria. Art exhibitions for instance should get easy sponsorship particularly because it will help members of society.
 Practising the arts in Nigeria is difficult and a road that many would rather not dare. Many students who are creative don’t want to study the arts anymore because there is evidence to show that artists have it real hard in Nigeria. Not many parents would encourage their children in the arts these days. I’ve been in school with students who are forced to study things they have no interest. Our society has been battered so much so, that people do not and cannot understand the value of art. What matters here is survival because life is too uncomfortable in Nigeria for people to stop and notice the beauty in nature, not to even mention art that has been created by man.
We are all hustling to stay ahead of hunger. Now everyone wants to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer because that is what the government is paying attention to. There are so many creative people stuck in jobs that they don’t want to be doing because they simply need to pay bills! That’s basic- we need to pay our wills, so we get jobs and can only half pursue our passions, if at all. There should be schools for training artistes. I know of one in Lagos. There should be more many more. I envy the nations who have their art, culture and heritage intact. There are some cultures that have been alive for thousands of years and are still living today. Culture is a living thing, a very colourful person. If we don’t feed our culture, it will die. As a matter of fact, I have a multimedia painting titled ‘Grow my culture’ in which I used some streaks of red in the back ground to symbolize blood. Art is a big part of our culture and our identity as a nation. Art is only occasional and a box to tick in this country. Art in Nigeria isn’t living any more. I may be wrong, but it is my opinion and God knows I am sticking to it. Art holds the tale of our history, most of which has faded from memory except for the bad memories. Art defines the ‘now’- art is the evidence of the times we are in. I can’t say it enough. It’s frustrating to think about. Right now, it appears as though Nigerians are good at copying everyone else, trying to sound like, look like and be like everyone else. If the government lifted the arts in this nation they way it has lifted sport, if the government gave the arts its rightful place, we would have truly Nigerian music, truly Nigerian fashion, proudly Nigerian spaces and fulfilled Nigerian artistes.
 
Who are the three artists you would love to be compared with?
There are several artists I admire and respect. I am not sure that I want to be compared with any one though. I am far from being the best, but I am satisfied with  my own kind of artistic expression. Many artists never take a step for fear of not being appreciated. Most artists have that fear to deal with, I certainly have and I’m taking my shaky steps, I’m running now, looking forward to the giant leap soon.
Do you make a living off your arts?
No. Not yet. People see what I make and want them. They are ready to spend on them. For that I am grateful. I don’t take my talents for granted. They are given by God and I’m working them while I can in this world. I’m making money from my art, but it’s not organized enough to form a living yet.
 Like I said earlier, I’m putting my brand together. It’s called ASAH-BARA. I will be making more than a living when it’s up and running. The brand will touch many lives, in fact, it already has. My personal Facebook page is so heavy with comments about how my work is inspiring people, other young people like me and I am so happy and grateful to have been at the root of it. I hope for the chance to do more. I believe that making a living is not the same as making money, most people only want to make money; Zoza Icha will make a living, shikenan!
 
What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
The most indispensible item I think I have should be my sketch pad. Yeah! My sketch pad, that’s where all the ideas take form, In fact when I’m not carrying my sketchpad, I could start drawing or doodling in any notepad I have, thinking an idea through and how best to express it.
 
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
Well, the very first, was all the way back in primary school. The work was sold for me after participating in a 3-week workshop in Essence International School.
Do you collect any other material for your art asides the ink and brush?
My sisters call me a pack-rat at home. I’m always picking up stuff, even on the road. If I think it would be good material to work with or something I can adapt as a tool, I will pick it and yes, I have had amazing victories and great results. Some mess-ups also but so outweighed by the victories and open doors to try other stuff. I said it before, I love to dare. I would much rather try and fail, than not try at all.
                                                                                     
You recently, auctioned some of your art work in Abuja for the benefit of the victims of typhoon in the Philippines; can you tell us about it?
The auction, I think that was a big day  for me as a person and as an artiste. The opportunity was granted through the Nigerian Turkish Nile University. They organized a food fair to raise money for the typhoon victims. I was invited to come there to donate a painting to the fair just to give it some colour and to attract people. I wasn’t quite sure what ‘donating a painting’ really meant. I had never done. When we got there, we set up and people were pouring over the art and taking pictures of the art and asking how much. Even the students came around to look and touch and ask questions. We had to keep them from the paintings and insisted that they were not for sale; we only brought one to ‘donate’. Seeing the interest the people had in the paintings, we began the auction and the figures were flying in the air accompanied by applause. I was shocked!
We raised more than our target and it was a thing of joy to hand the painting over to the ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria. He was so moved. The thing is that many of us wait too late to do something. It’s important to help while it matters. We wait for when it will be seen, heard or noticed. We wait for when we will have ‘enough’ to make a difference. The fact is that nothing is ever too small to make a difference. A tiny seed looks like it can do nothing, but when it drops in the soil, you will see in time what difference it makes where it has been planted.
I guess I was drawn to being able to make a contribution to those in need. It’s what I preach. It is one of the pillars of my brand. It was one of the works of which I was most proud and looking forward to showing at my upcoming exhibition in December this year. Now the painting is hanging in the Embassy of the Philippines and the money raised has gone to those who need it.
It’s not a million dollars that will rebuild lost property no, but it will put a blanket on a cold child, it will put food on many plates; it will buy clean water that has become scarce, it will buy medicine for the typhoid that is ravaging in the aftermath of the typhoon. Money for rebuilding will come, but saving even one person from dying from exposure to cold and hunger is a great victory and I celebrate it.
                                                                                                
Do you have any advice for upcoming artists like yourself?
I would say that we should all look for what is in each of us. Find it and bring it out. Don’t try to be like any artiste you know. Mentors are good, but your mentor will have failed you if all he birthed in you is another copy of him. Find your niche. Your niche will attract its own audience. If you are not gifted to be a realist in your painting, then don’t be.  If what you are good as is manipulating geometric shapes, work at it until your name is tied to that form of expression. If we all do that, art in Nigeria will live again.
I’m also appealing to established artists; don’t let society diminish your special gift. I don’t just mean the lack of appreciation; I’m talking about the context of your work. Please don’t get stuck with drawing and painting the portraits of politicians and rich people who can afford your service. It may put some money in your pocket, but your art has a value that exceeds what you can count or spend.
 
Last word, in your opinion does art in Nigeria pay?
Why did you save this for the last? Right now, art doesn’t pay in Nigeria. Writers who tell our stories earn little or next to nothing even though they are the foundation for the film and the plays we see and even the actors we know. The actors act in stories, they cannot exist outside of stories. Are the writers well paid? No! I know this because I write as well. I work with writers too, so I know what it’s like. I’ve seen performing artistes beg, in gardens after they have entertained people eating fish and drinking alcohol. I’ve seen the struggle of many visual artists, many of whom have given up and left the discipline. I’m sorry that a huge chunk of changing this situation is with the government, but I hope one day, the government will understand the value and importance of art and work to make sure that the art in Nigeria is about more than portraits of themselves.  If art will ever pay in our country, there is a lot to be done, the good news is that it is not impossible. If anyone would like to know how, I would be happy to discuss that on another platform.