We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joseph Idowu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joseph , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always had a flair for drawing since my childhood just like most Artists’ stories. Creativity found me some how but I did honed this skill by going ahead to study fine and Applied Arts in higher education. And as the best graduating student, I got more reason to Practice Art.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a visual artist best known for my impression of signature wood grain textures on canvas and other media. I work across painting, sculpture, wood burning and etching (Pyrography). I studied Painting at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with the honours as Best Graduating Student in Fine and Applied Art. I have participated in several group exhibitions and art fairs within and outside the continent of Africa.
I won some awards including Award for Outstanding Contribution at the International Art Exchange Mural project with Sara Hinds (Artist in Residency, University of Florida) and Numartville Art Competition 2018 among others.
I have also created uniquely figurative works using fire – a technique known as Pyro-painting. My works are mostly pensive yet, commands hope and fluidity of time to a degree using symbolisms in the form of colours, melting clocks and other elements of play.

My work is influenced by my enthrallment with children, and the ability of their cultural background to nurture them. My artwork challenges the global perception about the average African child. In my subject matter, I capture African boys and girls as elegant, intelligent, wielding innocence and strong emotions contrary to the usual representation of weakness, hardship and poverty in art history.

I am currently having my Solo Exhibition titled BEFORE THE WOODEN WALL that runs till November

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me , it Starts from when an artwork is completed, huhh! I have great relief and awe. Also, when my Works are installed for public viewing and of course when a piece is sold out, this is a reward for the creative labour.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: theJosephidowu
• Facebook: Joseph O Idowu
• Twitter: theJosephidowu