‘Why my metal art works are unique’

Weekend Magazine: How did you start making art works from scrap metals?Arueze Ubaka Stephen: I started making works of art out of scraps in my final year at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos. We were given an assignment to produce an auto-mobile (a bike) in the form of an animal of one’s […]

Weekend Magazine: How did you start making art works from scrap metals?
Arueze Ubaka Stephen: I started making works of art out of scraps in my final year at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos. We were given an assignment to produce an auto-mobile (a bike) in the form of an animal of one’s choice with scraps. I chose an insect- an ant. That was the first time I worked with scraps and also my first time of welding. And since then I have got myself involved in it passionately. Truthfully, I didn’t know what I wanted to be until I left secondary school! Though, as a child, till my secondary days I drew and made inscriptions; but never took it seriously.
WM: Have you had any exhibitions yet?
Stephen: I have had three to be precise. In 2005, final year exhibition at FCE Akoka, national art exhibition for art schools in Nigeria in October 2007 and the national art competition organised by African Artists Foundation in July 2010.
WM: What was the reception from people who attended the exhibitions like?
Stephen: People’s responses have always been that of fascination whenever they see my works because they (the works) are unique and are not really the type of metal works seen much around. There is a unique style to my art works.
WM: What is the highest amount of money your works have been sold at?
Stephen: At the galleries N150,000 but meeting a client N135,000.
WM: How much does it cost you to put a work together before you put it up for sale?
Stephen: It depends on the size of the work and how the materials are sourced, what materials are used, time involved, injury or injuries in the cause of doing the work, etc. Sometimes, as low as N5,000 to as much as N30,000.
WM: What are the challenges of the job?
Stephen: The most challenging is electricity. I hardly use generator for my art works because it takes time to weld (assemble) these scraps More so getting the market for your works is another issue; works may be in galleries for months or even years without being sold. Sourcing for scraps is also very challenging. Transportation of the scraps and the finished works is another limitation. It is difficult moving the works from one place to another especially where one isn’t mobile. Likewise, space where to work is another challenge. It’s difficult doing metal works in a residential area because one has to hit, grind, cut, or/and beat the metal before the works are produced and these processes generate noise which is not pleasant to other residents.
WM: Where do you source scraps from?
Stephen: Most times, I buy from ‘mai-bolas’ at scrap sites; I also buy from auto-mobile mechanics, I pick some along the road and get some through donations. Friends give me scraps too.
WM: Where do you get inspiration and ideas for your works?
Stephen: Seriously, it is God’s grace because it wasn’t something I learnt from any one. The first work I did was an assignment, with no instructions on how to go about it, no demonstration from the lecturer neither was any example or model shown to us. One way or the other, we all started picking metal scraps in and around the school environment and started working but I discovered I could easily or naturally assemble, or connect the scraps. That is how I have been working. I have tried working with a few renowned artists but their attitude put me off. So I kept to myself, go online to see what people do. But I must say that two artists whose works motivate me are international sculptor Christopher Conte and Adeola Balogun from the local scene.
WM: Aside from art, what other thing do you have interest in?
Stephen: Asides my art works, I also do wrought iron works, gates, doors, grilles etc. that’s what gives one income. I am also interested in wildlife; I love dogs and reptiles especially.
WM: What do you hope to communicate through your art works?
Stephen: I always try to communicate hope through my works; that whatever difficulty one faces in life one should hope in God through Christ and one would overcome. This is what I mean; I discovered when working with scraps that there is always a connection or relationship among all these scraps. Before they (the scraps) are assembled, they are seen as waste, garbage, useless, non-functional things; that’s actually why they were thrown away in the first place. So, in their individual selves, they seem to be useless, a state of hopelessness. However, one can actually get these seemingly useless non-functional or waste and assemble or connect them together in such a way that they become more valuable than their original state; now it has become or transformed into a state of hope. So, I want everyone who sees my work to understand that there is hope in all seemingly hopeless situations, events or circumstances.