“I was more passionate to get my work seen, and I know that the Next of Kin competition is a great platform to achieve this.”– OLALEKAN Adeyemi
With an experience he described as fantastic and a #500,000.00 prize to back it up, OLALEKAN Adeyemi (standing right to Master Artist Sam Ovraiti in the cover image) joins the updated list of Next of Kin winners alongside previous winners Antonia Nneji, Christian Allison, and Ikechukwu Ezeigwe.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Let’s meet the proposed newest Future Master of Art in Nigeria.
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: My name is OLALEKAN, Adeyemi (IG:olalekan_art, FB: Adeyemi Olalekan Julius). I am an artist. I am from Odeomu Town of Osun state.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Tell us briefly how you got into art.
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Like most kids, I found a passion for making drawings in primary school, and through the turn of events I was admitted to study Fine and Applied Arts at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. There I specialized in painting and was exposed to the academic tenants of art. I graduated in 2012, and I’ve been a full-time practicing studio artist since then.
After this, read Exclusive NFT Interview with Thomas Espach Software lead and co-founder LOVADA NFT Marketplace
” If you make it work, it will walk”.- OLALEKAN Adeyemi
Jekami Adetiloye O: What motivated you to participate in Next of Kin Series 4?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I was more passionate to get my work seen, and I know that the next of kin competition is a great platform to achieve this.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Let’s talk about your entries. What led to the selection of those works for Next of Kin Series 4? I believe you have more than those in your store.
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Instinct. They were fresh and one of my strongest sets of work at the time of entry.
After this, read SIT-DOWN CHAT WITH ARTEASY NIGERIA C.O.O ON WINNING THE MOST OUTSTANDING MARKETPLACE STARTUP 2021
Jekami Adetiloye O: So, congratulations on being the Next of Kin Series 4 Winner. Plus, you had a sold-out section on the first day of the Next of Kin finale grand opening. Three works sold out like that. How does that feel?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I feel excited about the depth of acceptance that brings to my art.
Jekami Adetiloye O: After you were announced as the winner, what happened to you at that moment?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Well, it was great to be part of the finalists for the first time, which happens to be my second time making an entry into the competition. To be announced the winner was a capstone to the intentional hard work I put in for this year’s entry.
Jekami Adetiloye O: What key features of your artworks would you say caused you to win this time around?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: You can point to the technical handling of the subjects, and I consider my work’s emotive weight because I poured my heart into each piece.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Mind to briefly tell the inspiration behind the three works exhibited as part of the grand finale?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I think it would be better to say that my previous experiences inspired them.
Jekami Adetiloye O: I love the way you create cracks on canvas. They looked very real so much that I had to touch all your exhibited works to be sure you painted on canvas and not a cracked wall. Could you tell us more about it?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Firstly, I have been experimenting with various ways of rendering surreal textures in my works. I had a stint of time observing and rendering spirals of human fingerprints. And here we are. I find in the cracks a more complete way to relate my ideas to the concept of time as it passes and the residual impact it leaves on things that seem long-standing as walls of time.
“Every bird does fly in their unique ways and does better in their own space. There is always a market for all. Never lose your grip.”– OLALEKAN Adeyemi
Jekami Adetiloye O: Did you ever have doubts about winning Next of Kin Series 4?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Well, I couldn’t be sure of winning at the beginning either. Furthermore, amidst the amazing works of the other artists who lined up with me as finalists, I knew it would have to be a great decision by the jury team.
Jekami Adetiloye O: How did you overcome those doubts?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I knew to wait for the final pronouncements. Smiles.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Did you come across any (major) difficulties that challenged your involvement at any point in the competition?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: No, I was prepared for everything ahead after being shortlisted as one of the finalists.
“To be announced the winner was a capstone to the intentional hard work I put in for this year’s entry…this is a good one to bask in and use as a push forward for my creativity. I look forward to enjoying an amazing and productive residency stay in Delta State. “– OLALEKAN Adeyemi
Jekami Adetiloye O: What tips would you give other artists who are looking to join the art competition and exhibition in the forthcoming series?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: They should keep pushing and believe in the growth that their practice will go through, it’s never a one cap fits all tip.
Jekami Adetiloye O: You have emerged. What can you say to emerging artists looking to sustain their passion in a country like Nigeria?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Every bird does fly in its unique ways and does better in its own space. There is always a market for all. Never lose your grip.
Jekami Adetiloye O: What are your expectations for winning the art competition and exhibition?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I hope it will become a stepping stone to propel my career.
Jekami Adetiloye O: Have you started seeing these expectations happen?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Yes, they have.
Jekami Adetiloye O: The entire industry of Nigerian visual art has its microscope on you now. What are your future plans?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: Well, that is not entirely true, yet. While my plans are the same as always, to push my works and narrative to the actionable edge of our society.
Jekami Adetiloye O: What are some of the things you are looking forward to having won Next of Kin Series 4?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: I’m very much open to more career growth, this is a good one to bask in and use as a push forward for my creativity. I look forward to enjoying an amazing and productive residency stay in Delta State.
Jekami Adetiloye O: What is your favorite quote?
OLALEKAN Adeyemi: If you make it work, it will work. Thank you.