A brief interview session with ISIMI TAIWO

ISIMI TAIWO is a native of Kogi state but born and bred in Lagos state, Isimi Taiwo has earned a BA degree for studying creative art in the University of Lagos. As a visual major, he works with different mediums like water colour, acrylic, ink, charcoal, etc. but his pencils and oils exhibit great strength in dexterity and control over the medium especially in the arena of portraiture. He can be said to be called a realist but he is

also experimental by practicing other movements which he is also good at. He is greatly influenced and draws inspiration from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Abayomi Barber to mention but a few. 

He has had a few joint exhibitions and awards:

• Winner of the 17th Quadrangular games mascot and logo competition 2008

• Top 7 finalist of the Art Impossible Portrait competition 2011

• Final year exhibition creative art UNILAG 2009.

• 2nd GCI Art Festival UNILAG 2008.

• Art Expo, National Museum Exhibition 2010.

• The Miniature Art Fair TerraKulture 2010.

• The October rain SNA annual exhibition 2013.

He has been commissioned to execute several portraits of dignitaries like the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, MD Lamata, C.E.O CFAO Motors Okoya Thomas, CBN governor Lamido Sanusi, Celebrities, etc. His graphical illustrations, wall mural, logo designs, animations etc. exhibits his versatility in the art. He is currently a studio artist and freelancer.

In what year did you graduate from high institution and what course did you study?

   

        I graduated from the university of Lagos in 2009/2010. I first studied mechanical engineering but later made a transfer to the Department of Creative Art after 5 years to pursue my passion for the arts for the next 3 years. So I spent pretty much 10 years in the university.

What inspires you most as an Artist both now and years ago?

  Everything inspires me. When I started, it was mostly other great artists works that inspired me. But as I gradually developed my skill I realised that there's more to art than just drawing what you see. But you can also draw or paint what you feel. Art is a visual message so pass a message across that is very important so that people would love to not just look at your works but want to preserve it for generations to come. Nowadays I paint or draw through my experiences in life. I believe it's a way of living my life on a canvas and also leaving something about me behind when I'm gone.

  Are there chances for someone without artistic talent to become a good artist if trained by an Artist?

     

      Well, let me put it this way. There's talent and there's skill. Many people are more skilled than talented. Both take time to be discovered but pure talent takes a much shorter amount of time. Sometimes we don't know how talented and skillful we are until we patiently discover ourselves. Unfortunately, most of us don't have enough patience to do so. In the end some of us never get to know how good we could become. What training by a professional will do however is to help you get past those many months or even years of frustration, trying to figure out the materials and techniques to drawing this or painting that through an informative practical experience. The result is like leaping into the future using a time machine. So the truth is that, everyone can draw. Its just that some people can draw better than others. This doesn't mean that this "others" aren't good. So train yourself or be trained. Either way, you will discover if you are good or not in due time.

 Which of these plays a major role In making realistic portraits like you do; a talented artist  or some good art materials? 

    Certainly a talented artist. Ask Kelvin Okafor what materials he's using. You would be surprised it's nothing like what emmanuele descanio is using, yet they are both achieving hyperrealistic results. Thinking that getting and using the same materials as your mentors before you can achieve the same result as they do actually limits your development more than you think. Focus on what u have and practice on how to use the basic materials to their full potential first. Only then would you feel the relief and advantages of using upgraded materials and an obvious visual development in your works.

   Thank you for having me. I remain yours artistically, Isimi Taiwo (isimism)