Textile, my best art form –Damola Adepoju

Damola Adepoju is one of Nigeria’s contemporary visual artists. Having picked the skills since his secondary school days, he decided to focus on textile technology giovign him the opportunity to be part of severa international and local art exhibitions. He speaks with Arts & Ideas about his love for the profession.   What attracted you […]

Damola Adepoju is one of Nigeria’s contemporary visual artists. Having picked the skills since his secondary school days, he decided to focus on textile technology giovign him the opportunity to be part of severa international and local art exhibitions. He speaks with Arts & Ideas about his love for the profession.
 
What attracted you to take on art?
I started in my early years by drawing cartoons and making comic books. From there, I decided to further my talent through higher education. I graduated with Higher National Diploma in Fine Art from Lagos State Polytechnic, and the Institute of Textile Technology, Art and Design [ITTAD], where I graduated overall best student. I am a multi-media and experimental artist. I have taken part in several solo and many group exhibitions globally. I am a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists and De-factori Art Studio.
Why did you decide on textile technology?
My early stage in art gave me room to study all parts of art. Textile is the part of art I love the most and I had the privilege then at the Institute, to be exposed to the new invention of making textiles and having been to Abeokuta in Ogun state to under study the traditional ways, one cannot but agree to embrace the new trend in art industry. This was before i became specialized in painting during my HND programme.
How much has textile technology evolved?
This trend of art has evolved greatly in Nigeria of today with lots of artists delving into contemporary art inculcating motif, patterns. Both in functional art and aesthetic without ignoring the fact that it most in vogue in fashion. Socially, it is really a thing to reckon with.
You are also a painter. How do you combine this with other forms of art you are involved in?
Been a painter is not subjective to one idea or been boxed in to a specialization. Art is about creativity, and being an experimental artist is a creative venture, and opportunity to delve into other forms to bring out new ideas in one creative journey.
Is acrylic medium your most expressive form?
I would say yes based on the fact that majority of my paintings are conveyed in acrylic but expressions of artists are not determined by medium, rather the spirit behind the art is what matters. A lot of time, I start a painting with acrylic and end it by using other medium such as oil, collages, oil bar, pastel, charcoal etc. to finish it. Acrylic dry fast and gives lot of tones and shades. My composition are originally known to be highlighted with a deft emphasis against a direct contrast of soft gold brush work, usually on newspaper collages, conveying iconic headings that elaborates on subject of the painting.
You have done a good number of works on Lagos life and landscapes, what is the thrill for you in such works?
For me, the thrill for Lagos life and landscape is about reflection that has to express personal opinion on what one experiences daily. I mainly concentrate mostly on everyday life in Lagos – the architecture, socio- cultural and economic activities. This is a city with curious mixture of old and new; a melting pot, colourful, chaotic and crazy. A city full of outward- looking and fashionable people. For sure, the choice of Lagos life also has a lot to do with my romance with the city from childhood.
Could you tell us about your very first work and where it is now?
My very first painting was sold to Signature Art Gallery in the year 1998. It is title convergence; it has to do with gathering of people under a tree, as they relax, gist and play games after a hard day’s work. It is calm and cool with earthy colours. The medium used was oil on canvas.
What is your most prized possession as an artist?
My most prized possession is an art piece titled ‘Reflection’ and was produced ten years ago.
Could you tell us about the most expensive piece of art you have purchased?
The most expensive art piece in my possession is a sculptural piece.
What is the most interesting part of what you do?
Passion. Sincerely, it is this passion that drives me. It gives me the desire to continually break my own personal records. The passion and quest to achieve more has also given me the challenge to do more research. This allows the spirit to direct me and not restrict me to some set of rules. Secondly, it has given me the opportunity of interaction with my models and people from different walks of life, any time I am working outdoor.