When I See People Speaking Good English, I Always Wish I Had Education
Growing up as a young lady, which artist inspired you?
The artist that inspired me in Osogbo was Susan Wenger. She was a white woman who came to our country to learn Adire... She was a painter from Australia and she came to Nigeria to learn Adire in Ede. She was here before I was born. She was here in 1950 and I was born in 1951. My aunt brought me to Osogbo, I was an apprentice to her. Like in those days when knowledge was passed from one generation unto the other. So I was taken to Mama Susan and I could barely speak English but she told me to speak Yoruba because she understood Yoruba. She spoke to me and encouraged me to learn. She put me through and I also learned the art by myself.
How does it feel knowing Nike Art Gallery is the centre of attraction when it comes to art in Nigeria?
It is a lot of hard work. When I leave here, I’ll have my three hours at night to work on my bead-works and during the day , I work two hours on my water colour ... It is a lot of hard work and I still have to make sure there is food for my husband. What makes Nike Art Gallery popular is that we share with the younger generation. The younger generation has the voice and what I’m doing doesn’t carry only older artists. I carry younger and older artists along. I want them to feel that they have a place ... When I went to the US in 1964, 10 of us were selected in Africa and I was the only female. We were told to bring back something to benefit our people. They took us to galleries, universitiesr, Art and Craft centres and I chose the gallery, because I called my bedroom the Africa Art Shop No 1. I taught the other wives of my husband Art and once we’re done, we hang it up in my room. Art shouldn’t be sold on the floor, it should be displayed on the wall. The day I opened this gallery was my happiest day. That way many voices would be heard. Their work is their voice ...
The FEAN; I’ll like to know more about the exhibition
The FEAN is basically to support women ... Men are not supposed to exhibit but they do come to support female artists... I am the Godmother of all the female artists exhibiting. I’m giving an avenue to promote female artists and showcase their talents.
How do you feel seeing these young ladies following their passion?
First, I want to thank their parents for supporting them because many parents do not want to hear anything short of the white collar job we are all familiar with. They think art is something that doesn’t bring money on time. Art is not just a subject or profession, it is the way of life and it exists literally everywhere. It is the bedrock of every profession and creativity is in everybody.
The art industry in Nigeria is commendable, what do you think is lacking in the industry right now and what should be
the way forward?
The way forward is for our government to help us to build National Gallery for contemporary artists so that artists will have a place of their own. Our government has to support the artists in a big way by creating museums. We don’t even have enough room to put the Art and artists are creating something new everyday. They should give us a place to showcase our works. In South Africa, there is a gallery association sponsored by the government. Every year, they give grant to support the upcoming artists by paying for all their artworks. I will like the Nigerian government to give us this type of opportunity of building more galleries and buying the art to put in museum and in government offices.
When you’re not busy, what is your vacation lifestyle like?
You know what Yoruba say “Ojo iku, lojo isimi”. The day you die is the day you rest. My past one month in Houston has been dedicated to work. I created a new design made with “Gold Leaf” and it is going to be in my next exhibition. So, it is hard to stay somewhere and say I want to chill out. You know artists die with brush in their hands. I love what I’m doing and that’s my vacation lifestyle. This is what relaxes me, especially at night.
How did your background shape your life ?
‘Na suffer head.’ I know with hard work, everything can change for you. The second day after I had my baby, I had to go for a labourer’s job to feed my baby but now art is sustaining me.
Since I’ve known you all my life, I’ve not seen you wear something different from Adire, can you be caught wearing something that is not Adire?
Maybe when going out with the Kabiyesi or Oba Elegushi. I always find it difficult because there is no white Adire. So, whenever I travel with the Ooni, I’m the only one wearing Adire. So to avoid that, most times I wear my white and throw my indigo on my shoulder. I think it is my way of life. The Adire is a color of love, love for husband, for your country. I just enjoy wearing wearable art. It is something you made; you will enjoy looking at it.
What is your view about Oba Elegushi and his wife towards the artistic world?
They are the only ones that gave us the art market; Elegushi Art market. He is an art lover and he even gave me a Chieftaincy title: Yeye Honor of Ikate land. He also gave his children the opportunity to learn Adire. He is one of our biggest supporters.
What is your greatest fear is life?
To be afraid? I don’t know. I am not afraid of death because I know something must kill a man. What I tell people to overcome fear is to plant a seed, water it and you’ll reap it. What you plant, you will reap. I fear only God.