Except in institutions that cater exclusively to artistic youngsters, career advisors, books, and even computer programs that aim to assist young people choose jobs for later in life rarely include art as a feasible option. Most people wouldn’t be surprised by this; art is notorious for being a difficult career, even for those with talent and perseverance, and success is not guaranteed. None of this, however, can deter a true artist who is driven to create in order to express themselves and for whom art is an inextricable aspect of their lives.
Bello Adedoyin Adelani is a full-time studio artist who lives and works in Lagos. Bello is a married Muslim woman with children, which is unusual for a full-time artist in Nigeria’s extremely male-dominated industry. Adedoyin has received two major awards in both worldwide (miniature art competition, India) and local art competitions (Best art month completion by Best Liquor).
She has attended a number of exhibitions, including the 2017 Eko Art Expo. OREZE VI, 2018. Ado Odo art festival, 2018. Balance for Better, a FEAAN group exhibition in 2019. Diversiform 11 group exhibition, 2019. Miniature painting competition exhibition in India, 2020. Best art month competition exhibition in 2020. Motherhafdrum Art Exhibition in 2020. Patch of Cloud group exhibition, 2020. Dunya Sanat Gunu, 2021 Trakya University, Turkey. Timya Sanat Grubu Baskani Turkey, 2021.
Devoting time to art as a woman artist is crucial – for development, artistic growth, and work production – but that time can be in the evenings after office hours, in the mornings when the children are at school, or on weekends as the primary focus. So, as a professional artist, how does Adelani do these, and what are the ingredients? Adedoyin talks about her journey as an artist, career, and life in an interview with Muslim Voice. Read on.
MV: What is your background and how did you decide to pursue a career as a professional artist?
Adedoyin: I am Adelani Adedoyin Nofisat (Bello), a female artist. I studied Mass communication (National Diploma) and Art and industrial Design (both National and Higher National Diploma) in Lagos State University of technology (formerly Lagos State Polytechnic). Initially I gained admission to study Mass Communication but my love for drawing made me pursue my heart’s desire (art). As a child, I love drawing, but didn’t have any background training on it both in primary and secondary schools. While I was studying Mass communication I made friends with some students in the art department and they inspired and encouraged me to pursue what I love doing by introducing me to their HOD (late Mr Akeem Balogun) who made it possible for me and some other students to gain admission into the art department without sitting for JAMB and that was the beginning of my art career.
MV: Did you begin your artistic career as a full-time artist or did you work two jobs?
Adedoyin: I began my art career as a full time studio artist, but later put up for part time teaching as an art teacher.
MV: Is there a particular setting or material that you use in your work?
Adedoyin: Yes, I use different medium to create my artworks, as a painter I use acrylic, oil colour and thread (embroidery).
MV: Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Adedoyin: Yes, art really helps me in all areas of life because it is one thing that makes me happy each time I create an artwork and it’s a source of income for me.
MV: What impact can your work have on societal issues?
Adedoyin: As a portrait artist, I use my art to express human’s (especially female) expressions, what I mean by that is that in our day to day activities we meet different people and each one has different expression they carries around, some sad, some happy, some goofy some expressionless this happens because of the situation each one of them are and also because of the way the society treats women or the situation of the country. Therefore, my artworks serves as an advocate for women and girl child in the society at large, and this depends on the title I give each artwork.
MV: As a professional artist, how did you discover yourself and your style?
Adedoyin: As a professional artist I discovered my style (embroidery) during the execution of my final year project when my lecturer made me, explore different material compare to what I was trained with which was painted with oil colour and acrylic.
MV: How did you give potential clients a sense of what you do?
Adedoyin: I give potential clients a sense of what I do, by posting my works on my social media’s and also I put in for exhibitions.
MV: What aspects of professional art are your favorites and least favorites?
Adedoyin: My favourite aspect of art is portrait painting because it’s shows the innermost feelings of every human and my least favourite is landscape painting which I am still trying to give a try one of these days.
MV: Which institutions and galleries have already expressed an interest in your work?
Adedoyin: Few galleries have shown interest in my art and I have exhibited in them and also have my work in some of them.
MV: It’s crucial to establish connections with other art practitioners. Who are your favorite coworkers?
Adedoyin: Establishing connection with other artist is actually crucial as a female artist because of the stereotype that females are weak and can’t really create art the same way the male artist do. Therefore, I work with my fellow female and my favorite coworker is Omovo Odupitan Ayoola.
MV: How difficult is it for a woman to work as a professional artist in Nigeria?
Adedoyin: For a woman to work as a professional artist in Nigeria is very difficult, especially when you are married and have children. You find it hard to leave your family to go for a workshop or residency and sometime it’s hard to complete a project too.
MV: What do you wish you had known when you first started your painting career?
Adedoyin: What I wish I had known before starting my art career is that it cost a lot to put up for exhibition and also that getting an audience for my artwork may take awhile.
MV: Can you tell us about any artistic events or meetings in which you have taken part?
Adedoyin: I have taken part in both local and international art competition and I won prizes in both and I have participated in many exhibitions both locally and internationally too.
MV: How did you build relationships with agents, galleries, dealers and so on?
Adedoyin: Building relationships with galleries is somehow difficult in the sense that the work you think is the best may not appeal to the gallery owner and vice versa, therefore I make sure I put in for exhibitions in order to be notified by the gallery owner by so doing they will be the one looking for my work.
