MOMENT WITH ADEMOLA
BLACK, BOLD and CONFIDENT. My guest is a genius, a student of Yaba College of Technology, an artist with tangible creative evidence. Welcome with me, Ademola Damilola Sulaimon aka Damilion Art.
Can we meet you?
My name is Ademola Damilola Sulaimon. I am a citizen of Nigeria and I am a student as well.
Do you have a background in the art? I mean, does one or two persons in your family earn a living as an artist or it is just a skill you loved and developed?
Actually, about the question, I don't have anyone in my family that actually does that. No. Hmmm...this art I am doing is God's vision. It is a natural talent that God impute in me. So, its just God's natural talent. A natural talent inbuilt in me.
What does art mean to you?
Art means everything... almost everything to me. Let me just put that art makes me reflect my emotion. Art makes me interpret my emotion into physical visuality for people to see what I am actually feeling deep down. The only way that I can interpret whatever it is I am feeling deep down or thinking is through my artwork. So whatever I put down, people could actually share whatever it is I am feeling.
It is believed that artists see things differently with a different pair of eyes than most people? How true is this assertion?
Like I said earlier, I said the way I see, the art allows me to interpret it. Bringing it out of my expression, yes. Artist actually see things differently. For instance, you can actually see a cup but I am seeing something else because I might be looking at the shadow of the cup, the light and different settings. Why is the light there? why is the shadow like that? And a lot of other things.
The environment is often the material the artist adopt to come up with a creative work of art. Does this resonate with you? How do you get inspiration?
Yes I do... I do. I actually like bringing creativity to whatever it is I come across. Whatever it is I see is a material to me to bring something to life. A piece of art.
Most artist would prefer doing their work silently out of the public eye before it is finished and then later shown to the world to see. If this is true, does it mean that when people see your work, you (artists) become less creative?
Hmmm...about that, I really appreciate that question. To be sincere, I observe that most artist don't draw in a public place. But I think I am kind of different. One thing I actually find out later is that art is somehow spiritual. The thing here about the question is that. I don't hide my art. I can't even draw when I am alone. I love places where people will see me in it. I feel inspired more when people are feeling like: 'wow what is this guy doing?' While most artist can't do that. Art is spiritual. It is in me. There are times I draw, but I don't draw during the day time. I might not be doing anything from morning but when it comes to evening time, I go to places where people will see me most and I just do my magic thing. That's the thing.
How long those it take you to finish a work of art?
It depends on my mood. Let me use some artists as an example. Some artists take weeks to finish a single piece of art. For me, when the mood just comes, it is finished! My longest artwork was just two days. My fastest artwork is ten minutes. I drew Anthony Joshua, live drawing when he came to Nigeria; to Makoko area. I did it in ten minutes. He was wowed. My mood is just the main thing. I can't tell you that it will take this time or that time. My mood is the thing. When I am in the mood, I do my thing perfectly.
(With Anthony Joshua and the portrait)
Are you into sculpting or simply still life drawing?
I will love to go into sculpting but presently I draw nature, I draw landscape, I draw portrait. I love to draw things that people think are common but I like to put my own taste to it and you we'll be like, wow so this has another means...more of abstract.
Can you tell us the difference between portrait, landscape and stilllife drawing?
A portrait is a picture of a human being which consists the eye, the nose and the mouth. If these things are not there, it is not a portrait. And it is from the head to the chest. Landscape is the view of things that can be seen from your position, from afar to your view. Whatever length your eyes could see. It might consists the tree, the land, the houses you see. These are landscape drawing. Stilllife drawing means objects that are not actually moving. You see them and you can just draw them. It can be any thing. It can be a cup, a human being etc.
(A realistic drawing)
Sometimes, I see some portraits of still life drawing and you notice there isn't much semblance between the portrait and the reference. What is the cause? Does it mean that artists get better at drawing or sculpting as they constantly practice?
The thing here is that the reason why some drawings don't look like their reference could be the artist. The artist might not...like I said earlier the mood is very important. The artist might not be in a good mood. Or the artist is not familiar with the style of drawing. Some artists prefer placing their board on the floor and then start to draw. Some like resting and stuff. The mood, the comfort. And hmmm...the perfection. Consistency also matters. When you practice something. The more you practice something, you learn from your mistakes today then you move tomorrow. No one taught me how to draw. Like I said it is a talent. I am one of the best realistic artist on the mainland. I started drawing from whack. I started sketching. Within just a year, I knew how far I had grown because of the consistency. Ever since then, it is not by boasting. My personal charisma for my art has actually grown. There is no drawing I embark on that doesn't look like the person. But when an artist draw something and it doesn't look like the reference. It doesn't mean that he is not trying to get it right but the consistency and the comfort matters.
Have you exhibited your work in any gallery and it was accepted, you got paid for it or it was otherwise?
I have works I wished I had exhibited in a gallery. Like I said, I taught myself. But later discovered that... early this year that talent is not enough. Talent without knowledge will be a waste at a point because you will just be channeling your energy to the wrong source. I met a lot of artists that are not as good as I am but are making money because they have education. I am not saying I am the best. They channel their art work to the right places. I had some artwork at a time that actually would have fetched me millions or more money than I used to earn. But, what happened to the art work? I used it for display at a place and at last, the rain spoilt them. Now I have the knowledge. For now, I have not exhibited my art anywhere.
What is the attitude of established artists to upcoming ones?
I think artist...70% of artists I have met are loving people. When you ask them questions. Many of the things I know today, I learnt them from fellow artists when we meet at different places. When you see some things in their work and ask them: bros how did you do this? It might be something that I has been difficult for you to do. And you feel like let me just ask. They will feel free to tell you. Unlike the remaining 30% who would just snub you. Some will feel that if they tell you, you will be better than them. You understand? Some of them are cheerful and some of them are just arrogant people. That is the act of humans for you. Some of them give out knowledge without thinking twice about it.
What are the perception of people to arts and artists?
Hmmm... okay. There was actually a time I felt like I love this girl so much. Let me use it from that angle. I want you to get it the way I am saying it. There was a time I met this girl. She was a crush, a high class girl. and when I approached her, she asked me: What do you do for a living? I said I am an artist. She was like, I mean what do you do? People, especially in Nigeria don't see art as an occupation. They just see it as something you just play with. I think my mother too did that. I started my artwork far back as at 2009. When I was not doing...not that I was not doing anything but I took art seriously. When I felt like this is my passion and talent shouldn't just go like that. I've been drawing ever since I was little. But my felt like: 'Go and read, go and study. You should be a lawyer, a doctor... You understand and stuff. But now, art is the thing that is actually my main source of income now. Thank God for that. You understand. The way people generally see art, they see it as a roadside thing. They will be like, this one does not even have something important to do. At that point when I started drawing, going to places where people will see me. My mum was feeling somehow because of the way her friends were asking her : Does your son not see something better to do? You get? They feel it is only tailoring, mechanic that are something reasonable to do. But when I started making some money, I don't get discouraged anymore. The end justifies the means. I have that passion, I know. I know where I dey go. I don't need anyone to tell me that this is where you need to go. So, I kept on pushing. The way people look at me then, when I was growing ( of course I still am). Now that I am actually making name, there is respect. Damilion art is a well known art, best on the mainland actually. The way people look at me now is different. I inspire a lot of people now. So if they ask you who is your best artist? Ask the junior ones, I influence them.
Most people believe that majority of artist are poor and are living in abject poverty. Is this true according to your observations?
Yes when it's in Nigeria. Yes. Assuming it is outside this country, I can tell you that as good as I am,. If I were to be in another country, I won't think of having another occupation apart from this art. To be sincere with you, artists are suffering. People have more things to tend to apart from art. It is only when they have made all the things they need, that is when they get artworks. Person wey never chop bele full how him go dey pursue art? (Someone who has not fed well, how will he pursue art?). And there are so many artist on ground. I think these are the reasons.
Do you believe there are enough platforms aside academic institutions in Nigeria for the training and development of budding artists ? If not, what do you think can be done to reverse this trend?
I don't think so. If there is, it should be the national arts theatre. But it is not functioning as before. Academic institutions are the places that most artist usually meet.
Do you believe that anybody who is gifted in drawing should pursue a career in fine art?
I read a lot though and it has actually helped me. I read something recently. It says: If you want to pursue art, if you want to be a full time artist, you should have another source of income. A stable source of income before you think of being a full time artist. Though people are lucky in different ways. But the thing here is that in Nigeria, you should think of something else that will bring money which will support that talent. If not, you will go hungry.
What are the things you find most challenging and at the same point interesting about fine art?
I think there are two things to me. Hyperrialism and Abstract drawing. Hyperrialism is very interesting thing to see. When someone do hyperrialistic drawing, you will be like wow. This looks very real. A fellow artist will think you can do it but it is very challenging. Do you know how long it took that artist to come up with it? Some spend weeks on a particular drawing. Because of the excitement, you want to do it. But you realize that you are not able. Can you be as patient as the artist that did it? So, it is better to work on yourself and not look at anyone. The second one is abstract. Abstract takes a very high level of an artist to think before thinking of making an abstract art. Abstract art is an art that has no figure, no shape. My art might have no figure, have no shape but it has different meaning. Abstract art is meant to connect with the personal heart, the mind and stuff. The most expensive abstract art at this point 2021 is $300,000,000 and it was sold in 2015 I think. Abstract art is one of the most appreciated art although not in Nigeria. Only few people appreciate abstract art in Nigeria but outside the country, it fetches more money. And you may just feel like anyone can do it but not everyone cannot it. You may think too that it is just a child's play. It requires thorough thinking and deep knowledge before you can be able to do an abstract art. The colour has meaning. Every shape has meaning. Every angle has meaning. Abstract can be made from any source. It can be a mixed media and a painting.
What do you intend to achieve with your artworks?
I think at this point, the thing I intend to make with my art work is to build myself. The art is just to fill me. I want people to see art and artist positively; in a different light. I have seen the way Nigerians treat artists, it is very discouraging for one to move on with the art career when this happens.
Do you believe that artist have sole interpretation of his/her artworks?
Okay, let me use this as an example. You might thing I draw you but an artist have higher ground more like a lawyer. You may feel like I actually used you in a drawing. But you will be surprised that you are seeing yourself but you are not the one I drew there. There is nothing you will tell me. Even though I make a stroke. An artist is a creator. Whatever it is he creates. Whatever it is I create. You don't know the reason I made that stroke. You may think it is just a stroke. The stroke might have a measurement, it may actually have an actual weight on the wall, the depth, that likeness. Every thing about art is not just 'just'.
For someone that is not an artist, he has to interpret it the way the artist interpret it. Even some fellow artist cannot give personal interpretation to art work that the artist have made. Look at Mona Lisa, the once world's most expensive artwork. Mona Lisa was meant to be just a portrait painting of a lady. But there are a lot of things behind that Mona Lisa and it was discovered two hundred years after the artist actually made it. When the artist was doing it, he didn't tell anyone but he had the reason why he was doing it. It took him years to finish.
(With a white man)
What are the skills needed to become an artist?
One of the most important thing is skill, patience. If money is a skill, I think it should be very needed. Money is not a skill but it is very important to get materials and other things. Patience, research and consistency.
Thank you for your time.
It is my pleasure.
We have come to the end of this eye-opening interview. You can also connect with my guest on the following social media handles:
Instagram :@damilion_arts
Twitter:damilion_arts
Facebook:ademola sulaiman Damilola
Whatsapp: 08179837619
Let's do this again and again. Until next time. I am Yours Truly,
Julius Topohozin
