What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
I have really loved drawing right from my little age, it is something that makes me express myself, and I found joy doing it, the major event that triggers this journey started in my primary school I was the best art students among my peers and even I do usually help some of my teacher in drawing on the chalk board.
What is your artistic background, the techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
Right from the beginning I started with pencil drawing, then I move on trying charcoal, over the years has I learn and relearn I started using oil, acrylic and the combination of Ankara fabrics to my work I found these techniques more fascinating and it makes me express myself freely.
What are the 3 aspects that differentiate you from other artists, making your work unique?
One is the use of Ankara fabrics has my canvas and the use of oil color on it, and also I combined collage to my work by making use of pieces of Ankara fabrics and also I combined abstract and realism in my work.
Where does your inspiration come from
My inspiration comes from personal experience, my environment and the society at large.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
The struggling and happening around us is enough to make us feel depressed sometimes our emotions comes in different parts and we should learn to understand that fact that we can't overlap our emotions be it positive or negative so I want my viewer to be able to connect with their own emotions, and to embrace the beauty of the world around us. And to see the beauty in our cultural heritages.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or other)?
Wao, it a little more tedious process, firstly having the ideas I wanted to portray and I get a reference that portray such ideas or event, I prepared my canvas and sketch, I wash the sketch with acrylic and then I started collaging my fabrics when it is dried I start apply oil paint on the sketch, after some days when the painting is already dried I vanish.
Do you use a particular work technique? if so, can you explain it?
As a collage artist, I try making sure Ankara fabrics is reflecting in my work as it add a unique cultural element to my work. The use of Ankara fabric also implies that our emotions are interwoven and interconnected.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
Yes, the use of Ankara fabrics as a support,other make use of canvas alone so I make use of the two together and also I also use the Ankara pieces as a collage on my works when working on canvas too.
Do you have a format or medium that you are most comfortable with? if yes, why ?
I love working on large canvases, because I felt it gives room for me to explore more of my ideas.
Where do you produce your works? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own workshop? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
My workshop, I work on my easel and when I wanted to make collage I lay the canvas flat on the ground, it is a two room workshop which I intend to expand so I can work more on large scale paintings, my finished works are in one part of the room while the use the other room for my paintings.
Does your work lead you to travel to meet new collectors, for fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
How do you imagine the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
Actually, my ambition is just to have the privilege to keep on painting as long as I am alive, and to enjoy every bit of the process.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artistic production?
My latest painting is Wetin Man Go do, it is mixmedia, base on the current situations in the country and what are we going to do to overcome this trying time. I also try using palette knife to apply paint onto the canvas in these strokes of paint I inscribed words I heard or think in my mind during the time I am working on the painting.
Can you tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
It happens in 2018 a competition and an exhibition, I met with great minds of artists which I competed with but unfortunately it ends sadly I took the 4th position and I felt I am not ready for such show, I get back home and I started practicing day and night saying to myself I will be better one day it was such a drama.
If you could have created a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
That will be Vermeer, the girl with a pearl earring, the work is so naturally painted, with every details carefully placed. The use of light flows naturally.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he spend the evening?
I will love to invite kehinde Willey, I want him to speak about his work, how he cope with those big canvases and floral design on his works.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
