artists | TOSINGER'S BLOG

New Week, New Day, New Beginnings… to everyone

Times are changing and generations are evolving. So is creativity and innovation. While we pay the much deserved respect to talented legends and forefathers (or mothers) who have paved the way, batons are being passed as they continue to inspire, and this should be acknowledged. As it is, what’s with living, without leaving a legacy. This comic says it all.

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pro·gen·i·tor

(prō-jĕn′ĭ-tər) an originator or founder of a future development; precursor . a person or thing that originates something or serves as a model; precursor.

pro·té·gé

ˈprōtəˌZHā,ˌprōtəˈZHā/

noun : a person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.

In light of this, I got inspired to start a blog series featuring visuals and audio (if applicable/available) of some admirable progenitors and proteges in the arts/music industry in Africa and the diaspora, who are so graciously cheering on the younger talented generation in their similar craft.

Here’s presenting Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye, Owner and Curator of the Nike Art Centre in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria intervied on NdaniTV Platinum Standard. She represents the African woman artist, “many of whose realities are now international, though in essence they are perpetuating the living tradition of African Arts and Culture” Nike Davies-Okundaye aka “‘Nike Davies'” aka “‘Nike Twin Seven Seven'” aka “‘Nike Olaniyi'” is a Nigerian batik and textile designer, considered to be the foremost designer on the western coast of Africa

– Source Wiki

and here is a recent interview with Peju Alatise who Nike Davies-Okundaye mentioned in her interview. Peju Alatise born 1975, is a mixed-medium artist and a writer with educational background in architecture. She has practiced as a studio artist for thirteen years.. more on her website http://www.pejualatise.com. See her artist statement below:

Peju Alatise’s Artist’s Statement

I am an alien/sojourner. Sent to this part of the world to work my work. Orun m’eni t’omala agreed with me, master artist to prodigy, that an experience on this planet called earth would be what I needed to find a part of myself.
From where we stood, earth was a magical gem and most wondrously primitive. And that was until…like every good story told must have a perfect antagonist…man. I chose my cloak, and it informed where I would be planted. The most exotic cloak yes! Black, woman and Yoruba. It led me to an understanding that all cloaks are exotic, mine just suits my personality.
I bid farewell to Orun m’eni t’omala, till we meet again we embraced and parted. Now, in an earth world with very many worlds within It’s world, I work my work in a strange land called my home Nigeria, experiencing Her lands and Her peoples. My arrival was in the year 1975, the place I would call home was a young child aspiring to govern itself and remain free from colonial masters. It has been 38 earth years since I got here and this hopeful child underdeveloped into an intellectually immature, self-destructive being that puts shame to shame. Famous for Its corruption-gangrene eating into Its every existing fiber at the most diabolical speed, it remains my greatest challenge, to stay or to leave. I choose to stay because I am not done experiencing who I am not!
As I work my work, I learn the earth name for what I do is called Art and I, an artist. I am introduced to another world called the art world. Like the bigger world the art world mimics, it has its economics, politics, leaders, king makers, producers, consumers, technological influences, plenty sense and plenty nonsense. The most humorous part of this world is the smoke and mirrors conjured by magicians. I stop laughing when the magicians gained illusive powers to decide what Art should be and should not be. As I withdraw my involvement, I am labeled an outsider and made synonymous with ‘difficult’. Soon when the smoke clears we will learn that what is will always be. So to the magicians I salute with my middle finger. This is a greeting habit I have picked up here and must leave behind on my return to mother ship.
The greatest pleasure I find here is discovering other artists who have visited this strange blue planet and many who are still here. I am also influenced by stories of Yoruba ancestors. I have been directed by the works and personalities of giants like David Dale, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Nike Monica Davies and great Susanna Wenger who have left a distinct trail within the Nigerian soil. Lately, Anslem Kieffer, Antony Gormley, Ai Wei Wei, Louise Bourgeois, Motohiko Odani and colossal Do Ho Suh have encouraged me to extend and exert myself the more, for there is still so much to do, many more artists to experience. I am not done living to my fullest potential, I have only dug half a foot into the six feet I am permitted. Now I must dig faster, my cloak is getting older, do not ask me why I’m in a hurry, I have work to do.
Lastly and humbly, if you find my artist’s statement not acceptable with regards to the standard of the art world do excuse me, I am but an alien addicted to the taste of freedom, who knows not better, tired of writing pretentious artist’s statements.

Some of her works