“Fighters are like prostitutes because they are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers.” – Káyòdé Ólúwá
Bla Bla Restaurant in Bamako, Mali, is currently hosting the artworks of Lens-based visual artist Káyòdé Ólúwá. Káyòdé’s quest for knowledge and belief that photography can be a medium of change focuses on ordinary people in their cultural setting, often captured in portrait format.
Voiceofnaija.ng’s Oluwapelumi Shemuel spoke with the contemporary visual artist, who hails from Isale Eko and works from Lagos, about his artworks, created between 2015 and 2023. Káyòdé opens up about his creative process, and his dedication to his craft shines through, as does his unique approach to the art of storytelling.
Tell us a brief history about yourself and your background. When did you realize it was visual art and nothing else?
I’m a Lagosian in all ramifications, I was born in Lagos (Epetedo Lagos Island) and schooled in Lagos (Holy Cross Catholic School, Lagos Island and Omole Grammar School, Agidingbi Ikeja). I’m an alumnus of the Lagos State University (LASU), where I studied Public Administration. I’m the seventh of eight children.
In 2015, I had the privilege of attending the Shell/Lagos Photo Master Class,” facilitated by Akintunde Akinyele of Reuters, Victor Ehikhamenor of Angels & Muse, and Uche Okpa Iroha of Nlele Institute. Before then, the visual language had been around me.
I grew up watching TV a lot and reading a lot of comics and hip-hop magazines as an introverted person. I had a stint with the camera during my NYSC in Zamfara, but the workshop was a turning point in my decision-making.
What artists inspire you? historical and contemporary. Do you see yourself working in any particular lineage of art-making? What books, music, and other art mediums inspire your creative flow?
This is really hard to say because inspiration comes from different angles: history, music, conversation with friends, books, movies, my environment (most importantly), etc., so I can’t really place a hold on one particular source of inspiration.
The good part is that all inspiration is channeled towards my art and decision-making. Definitely, I’m working in other genres of photography aside from what I’m known for, and I will explore film (Motions Pictures) and scribble drawings in the future to see the other side of the fence…
What was the first art that you encountered? How did it make you feel? What is art in your own terms?
That will be Kelechi Amadi-Obi’s images and Tunle Kilani’s conversation on his journey as a filmmaker. I can’t remember the year, but it was at a workshop at UNILAG organized by an architectural student.
Looking at the images, I was seeing myself in the images, and it was like Uncle TK was talking to me directly without going through corners.
What do you consider to be the materials of your art? What kind of art do you do? What were the struggles you faced as an artist?
I’m a Lens Based artist. Struggle varies from acceptance in society to access to public space, but all in all, I see all of these as normal things of life.
Even if I’m not an artist, all these will still be a challenge one way or another.
What does your studio look like? Can you tell us about the boxers that you work with to realize your boxing project? Share your artistic vision, and the success of the project, mostly with galleries that have exhibited or are currently exhibiting your work?
The street is my studio; that’s where I get my content from, that’s where I engage with my subjects, etc. I work with whoever is open to working with me but with the same vision and goal. Boxing is a lifetime project for me, so whoever I’m working with has to share the same vision, not necessarily mine but with himself or herself.
I mean, you have to be able to define why you are doing this. Don’t do it because Kayode Oluwa is doing it; do it because there is a driving force within you. No solo exhibition for now, but I have participated in collective exhibitions (Vanishing Voices, Iwaya Community Art Festival, Bamako Art Festival, Live in Desire, I am a person, I am not a number, Sharjah Art Foundation, etc.), mostly as an alumnus of The Nlele Institute.
My work is currently showing at Bla Bla Restaurant in Bamako, Mali.
Is there anything particular that you’re hoping a viewer will see or sense in your boxing project?
Yes! I’ve come to believe that fighters are like prostitutes, they are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers. So please appreciate and respect their hustle.
What gets you most excited about art?
Quite frankly, it’s the fact that I’m able to make you see or think differently about life…
Tell us about any upcoming projects you’re currently working on and your advice to upcoming artists.
Currently, I’m working on a couple of long-term projects: Text and Politics, an exploration of Nigerian political space, Nostalgia, an exploration of my community on Lagos Island and Nigerian Boxing.
February 27, 2021
SHORT PROFILE
Name: Káyòdé Ólúwá
DOB: May 26, 1984
Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria
Occupation: Lens-Based Visual Artist