Female artists exhibiting to mark Women’s Day

Why did you choose to study art? My initial love was to be an actress, but my mum made me realize how much not studying Fine Art would hurt my dad. So she convinced me to change my mind. I describe myself as a person with great vision and determination and I would say that […]

Why did you choose to study art?
My initial love was to be an actress, but my mum made me realize how much not studying Fine Art would hurt my dad. So she convinced me to change my mind. I describe myself as a person with great vision and determination and I would say that being on this path has really been fulfilling and I am happy I let her convince me to become an artist.
What was special about pursuing this career path in O.A.U. and not somewhere else?
I can’t really say the choice of University was entirely up to me. I chose O.A.U. because my parents did not want me to go far. They wanted to be able to see me anytime they had need to. But believe me when I say that O.A.U. has completely shaped me into being the woman I desired, because the school has it all.

Could you describe the kind of works that you do?
My works exhibit high in-depth research and knowledge of my immediate environment. I keep evolving and exploring on different painting techniques. At present I’m digging deeper into the use of impasto, textured canvas, collage and mixed-media. My thematic disposition spans from concepts captured from my immediate environment which are socio-cultural, political and religious in nature.

What is the relevance of your art to the celebration of the International Women’s Day?
I would say that they portray gender equality. The successful execution of these works reveals that women are not to be underestimated or subdued as we also have the capacity and the capability to do what the men can do.

Why do you enjoy treating the topics that you express with your art?
My themes are what every lame person can relate to as they are selected from our immediate environment.
Several issues about women are expressed in various forms every day.

What makes yours different and why should anybody pay attention to you?
We are all from different backgrounds, families and have gone through different experiences. Every issue on women is expressed as a result of what people have experienced, witnessed or heard. Mine tells a story of my in-depth encounter as I journey through life; which is either to learn from it or to go along with it.

What makes this exhibition special for you?
I see this exhibition as an avenue to meet and rub minds with other intellectuals and learn one or two things from those who have gone far ahead of me.

Is it your first?
No, it isn’t.

Could you tell us about the works you are exhibiting?
I’m exhibiting portrait, still-life and figure works which were executed with the use of impasto technique.
There is a work titled ‘Iberepepe’ which means ‘early beginnings.’ The work shows how we all started as little children without worries, just being carefree and innocent.
There is another, ‘Freedom’ which is the face of a hero called Mandela who fought for the freedom of the blacks in South Africa with all he had. We all want to be remembered for good but we cannot all move mountains to reach that state of being called a hero/ heroine.
‘My kitchen’ is a composition of kitchen utensils and some fruits. This is symbolical as it portrays a woman who is in control of what goes on in her kitchen. She produces good meals by making use of these utensils, never settling for junks or fast foods. She is a neat woman as her kitchen is always in order and smells good.
A discussion with my friend some months back gave rise to the painting ‘my thoughts’ with a projection of what every woman wants in life such as a good home, wealth, sophisticated clothes, good body-shape and so on. Indeed my thoughts!

What inspired your choice of these works?
What was going on in my mind at that moment which was triggered by my environment.

What kind of conversations are you expecting they will provoke?
Conversations that would test one’s level of knowledge and vastness.

Which was the most difficult work to produce for this exhibition and why?
Absolutely, nothing was difficult for me to achieve.

Who/what is your muse when you work?
Children and good music are the perfect muse.

What next from here?
I graduate, I serve my country and another face of life begins.