Young Artist Calls on Government to Promote Self-reliance in Artwork So as to Boost the Economy

Miss Ifunanya Anunobi is a graduate of History and International Studies from the UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra state. She has decided to pursue her passion in Artwork. In this brief interview with our Editor in Abuja, this young Artist, believes that if encouraged, Artwork will promote self-employment, self -reliance, generate employment and boost the economy, even as she advises the government to empower those in the profession to move the country forward, economically. She also urges professionals, to keep doing their best, by doing what they know how to do, which if strictly adhered to, according to her will go a long way for them and the country in general. Excerpts:

Having gone into full time Artwork, did you study it in the university, or learn it?

No! I studied and graduated from History and Internation Studies from UNIZIK, Awka, my home town. When I was 12 years only, I saw a cartoon and tried to draw a replica of it and after doing that, I came out with the exact replica of the cartoon and since then, I developed the habit of drawing whatever picture I saw and would show them to my parents and hid them under my bed. I wasn’t only doing it as a hubby, but as something to make myself happy with.

Motivated by my uncle, Ochendo Amichi, the former Police Service Commission Chairman, Chief Simon Okeke, I then decided to go into full time Artwork after my youth service here in Abuja in 2021, because after seeing my Artwork, he said that I had talent in Artwork and suggested that I go into it, by saying that it is a talent from God. I then started to put more efforts in Artwork and from drawing, I went into paintings. So far, I have been able to express myself with my paintings.

Has any expert been helping you?

I get advice from some people, like the president of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Mr Suleiman, concerning Arts. I do also talk to some Artist friends I met in Abuja here for guidance. Before going into paintings, I met one artist in an exhibition, who gave some useful advice to me which helped me. What I do is that I usually think of what to do and start practicing it and the more I paint, the better it becomes.

How has it been?

It has been wonderful. Painting makes me happy. When I am painting, if they call me to come and eat, I will tell them that I am coming and by the time you know what is happening, the food has got cold and time has also passed.

There is this belief that Artworks affect the brain, have you experienced such?

I have had an encounter like that, where you get so emotional, because for you to be a successful Artist, you have to imagine thing and be motivational. Most times, you have to be cracking your brain, you are thinking; you might disconnect yourself from reality sometimes.

Are you making a good living out of this?

I have not started making something reasonable out of it and that is why I am planning a solo exhibition here in Abuja. This means that I alone is going to the gallery to exhibit my artworks. Through the upcoming exhibition, I shall let the world know that I am a full time Artist now.

By going into this, does it mean that you have abandoned the course you studied in the university for Artwork?

Yes, I can say that I have abandoned it, because this is a passion and talent and it gives me joy. Although, I like what I studied in the university, but as you can see, my talent and the passion I have for it has overtaken what I studied in the university.

Having been able to come out with these Artworks, it looks like you are being assisted by the government?

I haven’t, but what I have been doing is participating in any competitions, if you are lucky, you get it, if you aren’t, you won’t. However, what I would like the government to do is to boost the market, because there isn’t market and it is affecting the upcoming artists.

And if there is a competition, we won’t be able to participate, because most of us don’t have money to pay for a space in a gallery. Even if you are able to participate, most Nigerians would just come and look at the Artwork and go without buying any. So to that, I urge Nigerians to buy and encourage Artwork, because it is an investment. The Artwork you bought at say N50 thousand can be sold at say N2 million in about four to five years time.

With the talent in you, do you think that you still need capital?

I do, because paints and other things needed for the work are costly; spaces in a gallery for exhibition is paid for, among others.

If empowered, we shall contribute immensely to the economy, in the areas of teaching and training people who will be on their own. By doing so, you have generated employments and the economy will be growing. I want to inform you that when I was in school, I used to teach and train those who had interest in Artwork. So I advise Nigerians and the governments at all levels to encourage the Artwork, because it is an investment. As I said earlier, an Artwork you bought at N50,000 today, may be sold at about N2 million in about five years time.