Artospective: Paintings by Oyewole Olufemi Ayodeji from Nigeria.

An Interview with Oyewole Olufemi Ayodeji.

Who and from where are you?

My name is Oyewole Olufemi Ayodeji, im a native of Osun state, Nigeria. I was born and raised in Lagos state.

How you got into this?

I believe art for me is inbuilt; it has been an essential part of my life. I’ve had a fascination with drawing since childhood, a skill I practice constantly. When it was time for me to study in the college, it wasn’t difficult for me to settle for Fine Arts. While studying Fine and Applied Arts in the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, I was fortunate to meet with lfluential individuals that guided and exposed me to the rudiment of drawing. Olusola Obayan and Hakeem Dipeolu tirelessly helped refine my talent. My full studio experience also contributed to my love for practice. I had my first industrial experience with Defactori Studio, a group of full-time studio artists working in the same studio. While in Defactori Studio, I trained under Akintunde John, Chika Idu, Taiwo George Taylor, Essien Joe, Anthony Ayanu, Ola Balogun, Awoyemi Ajibade, Damola Adepoju and Simeon Akhirebhu. These Artists through their practice contributed immensely to the pure academic knowledge I gained in the college. I later spent more time with Akintunde John and Chika Idu because of my love for watercolour. Akintunde John will always teach how to paint watercolour in the studio and I constantly disturb Chika Idu in his home studio………..for more knowledge and techniques on watercolour.

Before I finally graduated from the college in 2006, I met Dr Akin Onipede who told me to always “study my teacher’s teacher”, if I really want to grow deep with my passion for the Arts…..which triggered my love for the works of Abiodun Olaku. After graduating from the college with distinction in 2006, I practiced for four years and later went back to school for my first degree. During my study at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria, I met with Dr Olusegun Ajiboye, Dr Stephen Folaranmi and Dr Babasehinde Ademuleya who also taught me while I was in the college. I majored in painting and graduated in 2012. At different times during my first degree, I also had few months of studio training under Olusegun Adejumo and Kelani Olanrewaju Abass.

The thirst for full-time studio practice led me to apply for studio space at the Universal Studios of Art, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, Nigeria. I was advised to apply for internship since I’m yet to have a recognizable bearing professionally. The shortest period spent as an intern understudying Abiodun Olaku gave a spiritual connection and reformation to my landscapes.

Through the hard work and consistency seen in me while in the Universal Studios of Art as an intern, within three weeks the chairman Mr Bunmi Babatunde informed me that my initial application has been considered, which promoted me from an intern to a Junior member of the studio………professionally, it was the greatest blessing received in 2013.

What is your driving force?

I believe my idea for painting comes from everywhere. Shapes of the light and shade, landscapes with soft mood, the solitude of an aquatic environment at sunset, or even the story behind a scene. What keeps me exited about painting is my endless quest to simplify and get the essence of whatever I paint.

What kind of work you do and why?

My early connection with watercolour made me appreciate the essence of light in the composition of any scene. The special love I have for atmosphere and design makes landscape fall as the first priority on my ‘subject list’. For now, I’m an impressionist.