ARTIST OLAMIDE OGUNADE OLISCO
Olamide
Ogunade
Known as Olisco · born and raised in Lagos · from Ogun State, Nigeria
He fuses figurative charcoal with vibrant colour, paints Black skin with devotion, and lets bubbles float across the frame. The pressure, they say, is only temporary.
Olamide Ogunade is a contemporary artist, born and raised in Lagos and from Ogun State, Nigeria. He got the name Olisco from an acronym, Our Little Idea Shall Conquer Obstacle.
Never quit.
“My environment and society influenced me. Growing up was not easy, and I faced a lot of challenges. Many people are told they can not aim high, but I never quit. Art was not only a relief, it allowed me to express myself, my feelings, and the things going on inside of me, onto a surface. I am also inspired by other artists who aim to inspire one another to be great.”
“Many people are told they can not aim high. I never quit.”
Skin, colour, and then the bubbles.
“My kind of art fuses figurative expression using charcoal with colours, making it contemporary. It talks about situations in African society. The skin is an essential thing I love to create, which requires focusing on details, and it is accompanied with vibrant colours. Then I sum it up with bubbles. This captures the moment of pressure, and the fact that the situation we find ourselves in is temporal.”
“My art tends to dialogue with its viewers, calling their attention to catharsis, and making them wonder how on earth it was made with hands. I use acrylic, graphite, and charcoal carbon on either Strathmore or alabaster paper, or on canvas.”
African art, uniting the world.
“So far, this year has been great. One is able to express himself. I also see African art having its place all over, uniting the world, and eradicating racism.”
I see myself as one.
“We are all different in our own ways. We are who we portray ourselves to be.”
“We are who we portray ourselves to be.”
Change is constant.
“Change is constant, and I believe when it is time it will come. African art will be more appreciated.”
Free, and appreciated.
“Wellbeing, to me, means being free and appreciated.”
“Wellbeing means being free, and appreciated.”
Antakly Projects, originally Ninu Nina, has been in conversation with the most inspiring voices in art, photography, design and culture since 2003. Interview by Leila Antakly. Olamide Ogunade paints Black skin like devotion, and lets the pressure float away in bubbles.
All works © Olamide Ogunade. Thank you to Olamide for the conversation.
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Our little idea shall conquer. ✦
