Dare Lawson: Why I deviate from Oshogbo School of Arts

At the just concluded solo exhibition of Dare Babalola Lawson entitled “Original Self”, at Moor House Ikoyi, the artist said the exhibition reflected his reasoning that new works of art should prove that the works are original, philosophical and enmeshed with passion. more....

Lawson, an indigene of Ugbole-Ekiti in Ekiti State, had 18 artworks exhibited, sponsored by Alliance Francaise, Lagos. The works included “Creature of the Night”, “Mr and Mrs”, “Pipeline Letter”, “Omoge”, “Aso-ebi”, “Aftermath”, “New Convert”, among others.

The artist explains how he became an artist, materials used, his challenges, artworks in Nigeria, role models, among others.

Becoming an artist

I became an artist through the efforts of my sister (who draws well), which made me ask myself, “If my sister can draw very well, then this is a challenge to me”. That spurred me, and I believed that I could do better. I started to learn how to draw gradually and later attended Oshogbo School of Arts, where I learnt the rudiments of drawing.

Materials used

I make use of acrylic, ink on canvas. Acrylic is water-based materials, and I find it convenient to work with such materials, because it goes with the kind of works that I do. What I enjoy most is using my pen on any painting. It takes about two or three weeks for me to complete an artwork, because I want my works to be attractive to the person looking at the works. I can paint any time of the day as long as the inspiration to work is there and the place is quiet.

Challenges
As an artist in Nigeria, if you concentrate your art on money, you will be frustrated, because some Nigerians don’t love arts. For you to be well known, you have to work very hard and make your works to be in the midst of renowned artistes. It is not an easy thing for an artist to get recognition in Nigeria.

I have been to other African countries, and have seen how their artistes are being celebrated, which is not like that in Nigeria. Even galleries are not helping artistes in the country, because the artist has to get everything that he needs for his exhibition. Sometimes, galleries try to compare one’s works with other renowned artistes and they expect your works to be like theirs.
The government is also not paying much attention to the arts and culture sector, which is killing the industry.

Artworks in Nigeria

The value of artworks in the country has improved in the last decade. Now, we have Nigerian artistes who have participated in art auctions all over the world which shows that Nigerian artistes have improved and they are getting more recognition in the world.

Original self

I have tried to make my artworks different from The Oshogbo School of Arts, because I want to carve a niche in the arts industry. I created my own style and people are gradually showing interest in my works. The Oshogbo School of Arts still bases its paintings on what they have been taught by their teachers, but I have to break out from that school of thought, and I have been able to carve a niche for myself. I would describe my kind of works as being stylized, because it is easily recognized and has elements of our culture in my works.

For example, “Creature of the Night” is about the environment, which I portrayed about what happens during the night. At Ore, Ondo State, during the night, you will still see people buying and selling without minding that it is night and they are supposed to be asleep. I felt that there is something about this thing, which people do not really see, so I had to reflect that in my paintings.

Inspiration
My inspiration comes from God and my environment, and I translate them into my works.

Role models

My role models are Femi Johnson, Tola Wewe, Abiodun Olakun, among others, because they are creative; they are doing well; they are good painters and they have taken Nigerian arts to a higher level. Their works are inspirational to a lot of young artistes who hopes to be like them in the arts industry.

Arts works as collateral

It is possible for Nigerian artistes to use their works as collateral in the bank. I have some banks collect works of artistes and even some lawyers, too, collect artworks from artistes when they want them to represent them in court.