Using Experiments To Break Barriers Of Creativity

Nigeria Sun 13-09-2009

Using Experiments To Break Barriers Of Creativity
By Mufu Onifade

AS the International Art Expo Nigeria opened last Saturday at the National Museum, Onikan, the platform provided opportunity for Nigerian artists to rub minds again to the admiration of Nigeria's growing art patrons. The competition among the exhibiting galleries was healthy. So was the artists' whose various genres of expressions stunned the audience.

Although, it is not yet Uhuru for a number of artists who still went ahead to display some unexpected mediocrity in spite of the standard set with the maiden edition last year. As a succour, the regular creative commanders like Sam Ovraiti, Abiodun Olaku, Joe Musa, Edosa Ogiugo whom Olu Ajayi usually described as "usual suspects" still held the audience spellbound with their creativity.

This not withstanding, there was an unusual suspect in the mode of Toyin Omolowo, whose works on display can easily pass for a product of deep thinking and experimental creativity.

Opulent Culture by Toyin Omolowo

^{Toyin Omolowo | Opulent Culture | 2009}

Born on July 15, 1964 and graduating in Textile Design from the Yaba College of Technology in 1990, Omolowo is not a small fry in the Lagos art circle. His experiences in art since graduating from the college have been so diverse and resourceful as they cover Painting, Textile Design, Graphics and Metal Sculpture. His "riveting style" compels the viewers' attention.

"My concepts are imaginative reflections from the subconscious that is alive to contemporary art", he said, noting that in spite of his unusual approach to art, he has featured in thirty group exhibitions and has made bold statements that have been accepted.

Truly, Toyin's experimental technique breaks the barrier of academic prisms and dogmatism. At times, he makes use of irrelevant objects such as rubber straw to create appealing designs. A typical example of this genre is found in a work titled Visual Rhythm. Here, the background is broken into regular squares with a blue background partitioned into squares with dark blue.

On the surface is arranged various sizes of straw that form patterns and rhythm, which only discerning eye can penetrate and comprehend. At times he uses metal nails to form appealing composition that draws its synergy from symmetrical and asymmetrical arrangements. This is evident in another work titled Vision of Love. Apart from the nails, which form relief patterns on the surface, Omolowo's use of colour reveals his mastery of colour language.

Most of his works, which dwell more on design patterns are better elevated on the ridges of abstractive expression. As long as the viewer is willing to listen, Omolowo is willing and ready to be engaged in artistic and intellectual conversations that can throw more light on the hidden facts of his ideas.

He works in diverse series and mediums: poster colour, gouache, pastel, textile paste, water colour and wax. He has also employed acrylic and oil either on canvas or board. Different objects he works on now include metal, wood, tiles, straws, nails, twine and net.

A multi media artist by all standards, Omolowo's works command attention. He has been through many processes of artistic incubation and has come out winning many awards. In January 2005, he received an Excellence Award at the Hyogo International Competition of Paintings held in Kobe, Japan. In February 2008, he was given the Nigerian Breweries Art Competition Award for Excellence. He was also a recipient of the Terra Kulture Grant Foundation Award 2008.

He has never taken a back seat in his chosen Course of specialization. "I have won awards in Textile Design", he revealed with pride, thus proclaiming his undying love for, and satisfaction in, Textile. He won the Bassey lta-Ekpo award on Traditional Prints in 1991, in Calabar, and three years later, was awarded the Outreach Culture Club Award for excellence in Visual Art, in Port-Harcourt.

His works have also attracted the corporate bodies and the one he could easily recollect was the appearance of six of his paintings on the defunct Allstates Trust Bank Plc 1993 corporate calendar. Over the years, he has developed a clientele that is spread across many private homes and corporate bodies in Nigeria, Japan, Canada, South Africa, USA and Europe. He is a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Surface Design Association (USA), Artzero Group and the Association of Nigerian Textile Artists (ANTA).

For Omolowo, art began at childhood. "I discovered art at an early age". Then he could scribble sketches on walls and on sand. He could also build houses with sand, and put diverse objects together to form patterns. This innate ability notwithstanding, he also has a genetic influence that placed him at an advantageous position. "My creative exuberance was influenced by my late father who was a sign-writer till he died at the age of 92".

This perhaps informs his technical ability especially in designs and patterns. How then did he develop himself? "Right from my primary school days, l liked to trace pictures on comic books, watch and learn how to make outdoor signs". On his further development, he had this to say: "The spirit of God is inherent in man. My art is an inheritance from a humble background and I stumbled on limelight by sheer vigour and strength of my imagination".

Thematic imposition evident in most of Omolowo's works is borrowed from myths, folklore, kinetic life struggles, emotions (love, passion and romance). "Oftentimes l would groan within," he explained "from the dictates of the subconscious, of the conditions of human struggles and confrontations against the spatial and temporal realities". In all of these, he would easily admit that the zeal and boldness to challenge traditional techniques, to break conventions, and to explore new technologies have greatly influenced his art.

As a restless artist who is in constant mood of experimentation, he is deeply involved in creative thought process. "My creative mind depicts a variety of things; imaginary pieces that arise from reality and fantasy. The process of inspiration begins from the dictates of the subconscious to the real and surreal, and terminates in the abstracts. It is in cyclical continuum".

Omolowo is fulfilled with his art, with the result of his art, with the acceptance that has greeted his art. Does he have any other ambition outside of practical palpitation in the studio? The answer came in the negative. He just wanted to forge ahead to break new grounds in art. He said, "In my quest to forge ahead to face new challenges and to succeed in unlocking the doors of opportunities in this era of digital revolution, l intend to pursue a career in Digital Art".

Why? "The developments in technology and the increasing availability of digital equipment and software have enabled some artists to turn to these tools to create. I will also like to pursue other courses that would demonstrate creative design skills, develop strategic design thinking, and be flexible".

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