Ayomide Ogechi creates abstract figurative paintings and huge colorful portraits. Ayomide Ogechi can’t envision herself doing anything else. This, she believes, is her most distinguishing feature. Her feeling of conviction has given her the motivation to create work that is personally meaningful to her while also establishing her as a promising new artist to watch.
Ayomide and Inside OAU Innovations discuss about art appreciation in Nigeria, the impact of social media on the art world, and how immersing yourself in a different artistic culture brings obstacles and chances for growth in this interview.
Below is her conversation with IOI, where she shares her brilliant insights.
IOI: Can we meet you, giving us a brief detail about yourself and what you do?
Ayomide: My name is Ayomide Ogechi and I am from Oyo state, that’s my father’s land. While my mom is from Imo State, Owerri. That explains my two controversial names. I was born in Lagos State on the 15th of April, 1999.
I am a fine artist. I studied fine art education at the University of Obafemi Awolowo. Currently, I am a graduate but yet to get convocated.
IOI: Our audience would like to know how you got started with creative arts and why you do what you do??
Ayomide: As a little kid, I have always had that desire to do art. My parents as well saw the zeal and what they did then was supporting me by getting me art affiliated toys and instruments. I would forever be glad they did that. Also, during secondary school days, I did fine art while studying other subjects just because I had an interest in it. I was the only lady who went to fine art classes. It was quite discouraging at first but due to my desire for it, I had to continue with it.
I also decided to pursue art as a field of study during my undergraduate days. At first, my parents were skeptical about me pursuing it but along the line, they agreed with a clause that I must back it up with another course. Hence, why I studied Fine Art education so that I could teach and practice art at the same time. So, I got two degrees; in education and fine art. I am glad I did it.
I do art because art is the best way for me to impact the world. That’s the reason why I do art.
IOI: What line of art do you most identify with??
Ayomide: I am a painter. A mixed-media artist to be precise. I express myself with colors on two-dimensional surfaces
IOI: What would you say inspires you in the creation of arts
Ayomide: The first thing that inspires me is the burning desire and zeal to be creative and also for the fact that my creativity gives me a voice in the society
IOI: Perfection is always a subject of debate when it comes to creative arts. How do you know when a work is finished or perfect for completion?
Ayomide: I would like to quote Michelangelo who posits that ‘’No great work of art is ever finished’’. Although, for me when I am creating there is this burning push to always add touches to the piece of art and keep going so when this happens I try to reflect if I have been able to meet the principles and elements of art perfectly or if I have been able to achieve my goal on it, then to that fact the piece of art is well perfected. It is a crucial factor for an artist to know when to stop and keep it moderate
IOI: What would you say is your biggest challenge being an artist?
Ayomide: My biggest challenge as an artist is the unavailability of materials to work with. My location limits me in finding the right tools in exploring the art space more.
IOI: How would you describe the stances of art in terms of its appreciation in Nigeria
Ayomide: Art in Nigeria as of now is becoming valuable. It wasn’t given credence at all at the onset of time.
But now artists are seen as people of value including their artworks themselves. I think art started getting cherished when the European countries began to see value in African art by collecting and buying our works. So, I think the realization that the westerns were getting our arts at enormous prices and also cherishing them that much gave the value of art in Nigeria a paradigm shift
IOI: Social media has revolutionized the art space, what impact would you say social media has been on your scheme of work??
Ayomide: Social media has given me a great platform for exposure to a lot of things as an artist. Exposure to potential clients, inspiration, fellow artists. Exposure to social media begets various dimensions for an artist. It has been through social media I have been able to attend exhibitions and win awards
IOI: What do you know anything about NFT, what do you have to say about it??
Ayomide: I just got to know about NFT recently. It means Non-Fungible Tokens. It is an online trading platform for creatives in general. Contents are displayed and are sold for some supposed tokens. Clients buy NFT arts because they believe the work of art can grow in value over time.
Also, I have been able to list some of my recent works on NFT, especially the landscapes on OAU campus and soon they would be made available for sale. Hoooray!
IOI: Wow. Pretty amazing. Do you think there’s at any point in the future that this digital mode of art might make the physical art exhibition go extinct?
Ayomide: I doubt the fact that the digital mode of art can make physical exhibitions extinct. The reason is that physical exhibition has more originality for the fact that you’d be able to have a one on one experience with the artworks and other artists. So, I feel physical exhibition would be here forever however I don’t downplay the widening essence of the digital mode of art
IOI: With the hours required and the lots of creative mindsets that come with creating art, how do you balance your time working with other commitments such as a friend, family, and all?
Ayomide: Concerning this, it is a whole lot and I would say it has been the grace of God to get all these together plus me being able to get hold of my time management skills. It has helped me so far, skills like planning, prioritization, organizing myself.
Presently, my final year project research is based on Time Management skills for fine art predictivity. Even this, has given me more insights into time management that’s why I am trying to let that out there for other creatives to make use of too.
IOI: There are many contemplations when it comes to how artist price their artworks.
How do you value and price your piece of art?
Ayomide: There are lots of determinants when it comes to pricing art. It could be the amount of time spent on the work of art, that often determines the cost of art. Also, the resources used in the creation of art are a major determinant when it comes to pricing and value. Another determinant is the idea of the artwork itself. So, when one is buying art, the individual buys not only the piece but also the idea that birthed such art. Individual Value differences in society also determine or influence the cost of price in the art space. Also, high priced artworks are often more valued and considered unique in their form
IOI: There is this belief that some artworks are basic in their appearance yet they are overly priced and bought by some set of individuals
We have cases of a portrait of a banana with duct tape that was bought at an expensive price and the same applies to Andy Warhol’s semen portrait. Do you think those arts are valued and bought for their creativity?
Ayomide: We lived in a world where people do ridiculous things and people tend to do things in that regard. At first, when I heard the artwork of the banana and ductwork I was amazed and taken back by such a piece and this was because I feel lots of artists are doing great jobs and there is someone just using banana and ductwork. But later on, realized that the person of the artwork would have given the piece so much exposure and its value and the fact that it was very amusing. The experience too as well could have spiked so much interest in the minds of various bidding clients
IOI: You were nominated as the creative student of the year in nmbsawards. How do you feel having emerged as the winner?
Ayomide: Sincerely, I feel rewarded for my consistency and my work process for the year 202O. Anytime, I stare at the award, it makes me feel rewarded and also want to push in more work and create more. I feel good about it and I am ready to pump up
IOI: There’s always room for growth in all schemes of work. How do develop your art skills?
Ayomide: I believe in the mantra of practice makes perfect, so I do a lot of practicing as well as seeking exposure. Exposure such as art exhibitions, art events and even engaging other artists online trains me to imbibe new methods of creating art.
Criticism as well is a critical factor for development in the space of art. It was even a whole course in the department of art in the university. It gives one more insight into the creation of art.
IOI: Talking about remarks which are criticism. Do you think criticism is quite standardized in the art world? In an art world where it is believed that the portrayal of the beauty of art is relative?
Ayomide: Criticism is needed for growth in art. We were taught criticism and art appreciation. It is only someone that’s artistically inclined that can give the best art remark over an art piece. So far, I haven’t gotten criticism from professional critics but I have had my lecturers put me through some of my works and bring my notice to some corrections that I have to put in place.
Also, our lecturers make sure our assignments on arts are displayed, with each work of an artist being critically analyzed by other present artists in the studio. It was a mode of criticism that I was exposed to while in School. The thing that this does is, it gives us the mentality we could always do better
IOI: In all the medieval great artists, who would you say you fancy most and inspires you more??
Ayomide: It is quite difficult to pick from because I have a lot of favorite artists. However, if I am to pick at all. It would be Leonardo Da Vinci. I haven’t seen him but the legacy that he left behind is a thing that I’ve connected with most. The knowledge, his ideas, his innovations. He was versatile and knowledgeable. He was also able to accept the world that he was in and render it in beautiful ways. He was a man that loved his culture.
He was an artist, sculptor, scientist, painter, and a lot more. He truly inspires me and I also consider him a sort of an inspiration.
IOI: Aside art, what else do you most enjoy doing?
Ayomide: Aside from art, I love kids. I have the opportunity to teach kids during my teaching practice and I loved the process. I guess if I am not going to do art, I’d teach. It is so much of sole importance to me. Aside from art, I am a makeup artist, I do teaching jobs as well. They all seem art-related, I guess.
IOI: Describe your ideal working environment.
Ayomide: My ideal working environment, for now, is at the studio in school or my room at school.
The studio is very ventilated and well okay for creating art. It is a studio standard space. I have a corner in my room as well for I don’t want to be disturbed when creating art. With my completion of my bachelor’s degree, I would be getting a standardized space for my work
IOI: When is your favorite time of day to create?
Ayomide: My favorite time of the day to work is in the early morning hours. Between the time of 2,3 am till daybreak. That’s how I work. I am at my best and very productive to work at that time.
IOI: Do you have a favorite project you’ve worked on? What’s it about and how do you come up with the inspiration?
Ayomide: Well, it is hard to pick but recently my favorite pick is the landscape series I did for the OAU campus. I enjoyed doing them.
IOI: Do you have any ongoing projects that you are working on??
Ayomide: I have projects that I am working on, the theoretical and the practical ones. The theoretical one is the impact of Time Management skills on fine art students at Obafemi Awolowo University. While the practical project is a commission project. It is a painting of a lion. I can’t wait to finish the painting and post it for you all to see.
IOI: As a creative artist, what’s your routine on a normal working day like?
Ayomide: My normal working day routine as an artist begins at 2 am. I get to say my prayers of the day. I need a sort of spiritual energy to keep me ahead for it is not easy. If I have a project commission, I get to start by then and work till break. While on campus, I work till break, take a break of an hour then get prepared for classes.
During class intervals, I make sure I work too. Probably on assignments and projects. I also find time to eat as well. I like food, let’s put it that way. I leave school as late as 5 pm. I do workouts as well, I do them at weekends or evenings of my working day. I make sure I do everything I need to do outside before or at 8 pm. I am not convenient with being outside late and I do make sure I do sleep early to be able to wake up by 2 am to get started all over. I am most free from work and school routine on weekends. I do other things like attend programs, attend meetings or have my self-care routine.
I get to teach on Sundays when I am free. I teach in the kid’s section. Right now, that I am a graduate, there is a paradigm shift in my routine. I still wake up by 2 am but unlike before that I work till 6, I work till around 10. After that, I try to figure what to eat, and all other schedules. I love jogging, so I do a lot of that. I do well to keep tabs with siblings. I didn’t grow up doing that so I’m trying to breach that Space.
IOI: What do you do when you are not creating art?
Ayomide: When I am not creating art, I dance and listen to songs. I am a very good dancer. I enjoy cooking as well. So, I do cook when I’m not creating art. I attend programs and events. I do lots of movies too.
IOI: What do you like most being an artist??
Ayomide: There are a lot of things to like being an artist. However, I would say it is freedom of expression. The beautiful air space to do what I want to do at my will. I don’t feel restricted and bound by principles and rules.
I love that feeling
IOI: Food, song, movies, outings, which do you identify with most?
Ayomide: This list is quite tricky because I do enjoy most of the things listed here. If I am to pick, I would choose music, I get to use it a lot in my creative process.
At this point, I’d go for songs
IOI: What advice do you have for budding artists out there?
Ayomide: My advice for budding artists out there is to be ready in all aspects financially, mentally, physically, and even spiritually because the journey is not for the faint-hearted. You don’t want to give up at the slightest challenge, so you have to be ready, courageous, and fearless. Also, you have to do your part to the fullest. You don’t relent on your creativity. Do everything to your very best. See every piece of art as a new work to be better no matter how small. So, do it to the very best.
One thing I also hold onto is patience, you have to be patient in all your artwork processes. You have to follow your work to the very end and keep pushing. Patience in the aspect of selling artworks because it is not every day you get to sell artwork.
Take breaks when need be. As an artist, you have to take breaks well necessary because the creative process requires a fresh mind to get amazing ideas to put into the creation
Also appreciate your creative process and your works. Celebrate your works even from the beginning.
IOI: What major importance do you think art is to mankind??
Ayomide: I’d like to pinpoint some major categories which are; art as therapy (health), art as education, art for aesthetics, art for politics, and even art that’s functional. But amongst all these importance, there is one that cut across all which is the art that has emotional value.
If I were to pick the major importance of art to mankind it would be its ability to communicate and connect with the human mind thereby invoking certain emotions and experiences.
IOI: What are your social media handles for our audience follow-ups?
Ayomide: My social media handles are Ayomide_ogechi on both Twitter and Instagram then Ayomide Ogechi on Facebook.
Photos of Ayomide Ogechi
