I look up to all kinds of people for mentorship – Yadichinma

COULD you give us brief background information about yourself?

I’m from Ohafia, Abia State. I was born in Lagos. I currently live and work there. I’m a self-taught experimental artist, even though I seldom use the term ‘self-taught’.

50,000 PDP members defect to APC in Sokoto

When did you discover that you would become an artist?

I think I’m still on my way of discovering that. It’s been a tough journey to accept the term ‘artist’. I generally feel uncomfortable with being defined as anything—it’s both the best and worst part of my life. But, I think I made some kind of definitive decision about creating constantly in 2016.

Where do you draw inspirations for your work?

From the entirety of the world I live in, and more philosophically, the world that lives through me.

Tell us something about your three major works?

This is difficult. I don’t think that I can define any specific work as my three major works. Over the past two years, I’ve a body of work that I’ve been serially developing. I have called it ‘Of Things To Come’. It’s a body of work that explores primary processes of drawing and mark making, inventing systems, objects and beings that exist in an imagined environment.  Another project that’s right beside that is one that I’ve called ‘Thought Lines’.It currently doesn’t carry that name. It’s an investigative research project into language systems through processed mark making and journaling.

How long does it take you to complete a painting?

Anytime between a second and forever.

You once said your creative process is based on the study of lines and forms. What does that mean?

This was alluding to my developing interest in things that I felt were elemental to any work of art, the non-definitive but prominent presence of the line and form.

What type of people patronise your work?

For now, my work is currently being collected by a small group of Nigerian collectors I usually meet at my exhibitions, and also by a few non-collectors who find the work personally interesting or intriguing.

How do you sell and promote your work?

A straightforward way is to have a show and sell with a gallery. Otherwise, people usually reach out to me through my online pages or schedule studio visits. I personally sell to them.

Tell us something about your first solo exhibition, “Big 60: Crossing Boards”

The Big 60 is an initiative run by A White space Creative Agency (AWCA), an organisation based in Lagos. They approached me to participate in a set of programmes that were created for the theme: Crossing Borders. It was lovely to have been given that opportunity and space to express myself.

Painting and photography seem not to be a lucrative business in Nigeria. How did you manage to be successful in them?

I  am still learning to define success for myself. So, this is a tough question. I’m mostly focused on bringing the most honest version of myself to the work I do. It’s a little in the air to say that. But I deeply believe that the conversation of honesty (which is constant questioning) with yourself, gets you where you need to be.

You are also into digital media and films. Could you tell us something about that?

I’m interested in so many different things both as admirer and active participant. It makes sense that if I like pictures, I would like film. It also makes sense that being a child of this digital age, it’s hardly possible to go by and not engage it in some way.

In your choice of career, who would you say is your mentor?

I look to all kinds of people, dead alive, for mentorship. All these people have done and do work in fields that seem worlds apart from mine. I enjoy the physicist, Richard Feynman, podcast Host Krista Tippet, Nigerian performance and visual artist, Wura Ogunji, writer Afopefoluwa Ojo, dancer Sheila Chukwulozie…it goes on. What all these people seem to have in common is that, beyond these descriptions I’ve given them, they seem to have lived and live a life that is bent on discovery and an honest kind of openness.

What is your greatest challenge as a painter and photographer?

My greatest challenge and joy, even currently as a ‘maker’ is carrying the responsibility to actively make for myself the space and the world that I need to exist in and that needs me to exist.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I’m collaborating with wonderful people working as a creative director for a magazine and a performance-based research project.

What is your definition of success?

I’m still working on this definition. I think it’s something I’ve to work hard at defining for myself. Sometimes, I make some money and I feel momentarily successful. Most times, I make work—and I’m working overnights and for days—and I feel successful. That feeling stays with me, for a long time.

You have achieved a great feat in a male dominated field. In this regard, would you say that what a man can do, a woman can do it better?

I don’t work out of that awareness. In relation to what men have done with art in this space, I’m aware that it’s an inescapable fact that they have gotten more recognition. But, it’s not what drives me to make work. At least, not yet. I’m only aware that I’m myself, Yadi.And, Yadi has to work. Men and women do great work. I’m more interested in the work that some Nigerian women make more than I’m in the men’s. But, that’s deeply personal.

Where do you see yourself and career five years from now?

It’s hard for me to paint a clear picture of what that’s like. I’m currently engaged in processes and ideas that I hope would continue to evolve over a long period of time. I hope to reach out of my primary Lagosian community into other less explored and diverse Nigerian communities. I believe in creative independence and the power it can lend to individual and communal self-awareness. I want to be at front of developing those creative tools for the community, in any way I can, through my work, research and documentation.

What advice do you have for young people, especially the female ones, who are aspiring to be like you?

Aspire to be the best version of yourself. I’ve learnt that I can do that effectively by deeply questioning my processes and practising openness. Find out what works for you and be honest about that.

The post I look up to all kinds of people for mentorship – Yadichinma appeared first on Tribune Online.