Afrigather In 2013, the Nigerian visible artwork scene witnessed the debut of a brand new child on the block.
His debut adopted a robust determination to observe his ardour as an alternative of furthering his schooling to turn out to be a lawyer, as his mother and father wished then.
In the present day, about 11 years down the road, Kamal Atiku has risen to be reckoned amongst fast-rising modern Nigerian visible artists.
Atiku, an indigene of Badagry, the border city in Lagos State, is most significantly, an Egun son. The self-taught artist may be very happy with his Egun tradition and heritage that he devoted his artwork profession to his Egun heritage.
He majors in summary portray on canvas and wooden carvings. However the works all depict Egun folks and their heritage.
“I paint on canvas, primarily summary and I do wooden carving. However my works, each wooden carving and work discuss extra of Badagry, particularly the Egun folks and their heritage,” Atiku explains.
Tracing his journey in visible artwork, Atiku recollects, “I should not have a proper coaching in Visible Artwork. My grandfather constructed the zeal and fervour for artwork in me, then he used to carve slate for Arabic writing and in addition Tesbih or rosary utilized by Muslims for prayers. That was after I picked curiosity in artwork.
“I pushed additional after the fervour for artwork ignited by my grandfather and I began making ‘Sato’ drum, a cultural drum. It combines all of the Egun tradition in Badagry, Ogun State and in Benin Republic”.
Nonetheless, the artist’s love for the Sato drum has no match. He’s famend as the one artist that carves Sato drum in the entire of Badagry.
The drum is a cultural and heritage object, with enormous significance in Egunland. It’s particular with carvings and summary issues on the physique.
Explaining the rationale for that specialty, Atiku says that Sato drum is the primary cultural heritage of the Egun folks throughout Badagry, Ogun State and in Benin Republic.
“The drum is an emblem of unity for the Egun folks. So, I take advantage of the Sato drum to signify the Egun folks.”
I solely carve Sato drums, and the carvings on the drums speak about a selected place in Egunland. I can speak about my group on carving and different locations too.
“These issues on the drums speak about my origin and different related heritage of the Egun folks, just like the river in my village that’s revered as a result of it affords therapeutic for my folks, amongst others just like the Osun River,” he says.
There are numerous tales on the physique of the Sato drum, however all of them level to the heritage of the entire Egun folks, the artist stated.
Additionally, his work do the identical heritage promotion for the Egun folks.
Other than boosting his heritage, he additionally makes use of his works to counter the jest by different tribes in regards to the Egun folks as folks with lowly lives, much less educated and fewer uncovered.
“These will not be true of my folks,” he differs. “We’re educated, very artistic and hardworking folks. In all probability, they take our simplicity and honesty as weak spot”.
He additionally explains that, “My summary work look scary and humorous. I take advantage of their seems to be to indicate the Egun folks based mostly on how folks have a look at them and the best way they are saying issues to them, particularly derogatory issues”.
However Atiku just isn’t in haste to promote his works although they’re extremely sought-after by collectors and galleries.
“At any time when I make a chunk of labor, I’m not at all times in a haste to present it out to collectors. I’ve a particular attachment to my works and solely those that acknowledge the attachment can simply get the works from me.
“Patronage just isn’t a difficulty for me as a result of I’m cautious in promoting my artwork, however the extra I create works and publish on Instagram, I see numerous constructive feedback and that feeds me very effectively.
I’m high quality with that. I imagine that when it’s time, the suitable provide will come.
However I carry on creating works; I work anytime of the day relying on the inspiration,” he explains additional.
He additionally acknowledged the truth that gross sales have been gradual in current instances, most likely as a result of financial realities.
Providing different causes for the gradual gross sales, he says, “For collectors, artwork just isn’t by drive, it’s by selection, I don’t drive myself on folks or drive folks to purchase my work. When my artwork speaks to you, you’ll undoubtedly discover me”.
These qualities are what have made his works sought-after by huge collectors from Croatia, some from the Arab nations and lots of in Nigeria too.
Properly, he additionally connects with different artists by way of joint exhibitions since his first exhibition in 2013 on the Badagry Museum. He has exhibited in Togo, and in Mydrim Gallery Ikoyi final 12 months, whereas wanting ahead to a solo exhibition quickly.
The fulltime studio artist can also be open to collaborations and even plans to have a residency with Bob Nosa, and Muyiwa Akinwolere, an artist dwelling in Badagry.
In fact, he plans to bequeath his artistic ingenuity to the youthful era artists, who’re beneath his tutelage at current.
“I’ve numerous boys which might be beneath my tutelage, about 15 of them”.
Within the subsequent 5 years, he insists that his works shall be the place they’re imagined to be as a result of as an artist, “your work ought to converse for you”.
His works are in non-public and public collections and at Adeline Gallery, Sachs Gallery and Mydrim Gallery.
In fact, he plans to bequeath his artistic ingenuity to the youthful era artists, who’re beneath his tutelage at current.
“I’ve numerous boys which might be beneath my tutelage, about 15 of them,” he concluded.
