Thursday 20 June 2013

My life revolves around Art -Nike Okundaye


Nike

ADA DIKE met Chief Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye’s who has devoted her life to provide an opportunity for aspiring artists, craftsmen, women to explore their talents.

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When Chief Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye set out to learn how to dye cloths and weave fabrics, she didn’t know what it would result to in future.
Born on May 23, 1951, she lost her mother at the age of six and went to live with her grandmother who died the following year so she went to stay with her great grandmother who was the head of fabric weaving association in their village in Ogidi Ijumu in Kogi State. From there, she learnt how to weave and dye fabrics (Adire).
She recalls how she became the originator of Batik in Africa. “One day, there was no electricity at night, so I lit a candle I got from our church while preparing a fabric I wanted to dye. A melted wax dropped on my fabric, so that part came out brighter and beautiful. That was how I started using wax to do batik. From there, I started drawing designs on the fabric which I used to do on the floor using a broom. I also used a needle and crochet thread to knit table cloths which reverend sisters bought at six kobo each and put in the altar of a Catholic Church in my village,” she said.
Life was indeed tough for her, but the woman with cool and calm demeanour knows how to turn every situation in her favour. “I was doing a labourer job of using planks to carry sands and we licked the sandy water that was dripping from the sand and used it as a chocolate. I later got a job as a baby sitter for an Indian family because I passed the test of cleaning their house which I learnt from home using cow dung to scrub our mud house to avert dust. I was paid one pound per month from which I fed, bought dresses and paid my sibling’s school fees.
“The Indians made a blouse for me to wear and I had to bathe three times in a day so that I won’t stain their baby. I enjoyed that job because I became clean and healthy. From Kogi, the Indian family I was living with took me on a tour and took me to Osogbo, Osun State, though one of my mother’s sisters was living there as tie and dye (Adire) maker who I also learnt a bit of Adire from when I lived with her for some time.
“Out of curiousity, one day, I went to Osun Groove to look at the river and fell in love with the work of Mama Susanne Wenger of blessed memory. I told myself, “This is a place I belong. If a white woman could do this, why shouldn’t we?” I approached her and told her that I want to learn from her but she told me that art is not what one can use the other person’s hand to draw. She welcomed me and took me through the rudiment of practical art. From there, I expanded and set up my workshops and gallery,” she explained.
Nike with some women
Though she did not have formal education, she has two doctorate degrees from schools in the United States of America –one for planting a tree in her compound in 1995 which has grown and it is giving shades around her house. The second is on performance art. “I am also a singer and dancer too.”
Her vision for opening art centres in Osogbo, with branches in Lagos, Abuja and Ogidi Ijumu is to promote artists, empower rural women and provide training opportunities for those interested in learning the practical aspect of art. “Artists are happy to see their works displayed in my gallery. Each artist works with a spirit that drives him. We don’t see what they are seeing till they are through with their works.”
She adds: I also encourage children to discover their talents. School children from different schools do visit my gallery every Monday and I normally give them pencils and papers to draw designs of their choice. Sometimes, from 100 students we may get 30 students who can draw well. So we focus on the art inclined ones from the age of nine and give them materials to work with till they become experts.”
Her Lagos art gallery has become a tourists’ centre. “We do inventory every year. At present we have more than 7000 artworks in my gallery in Lagos but not all of them are for sale. A lot of them are displayed for Nigerians and tourists to see the creativity in Nigeria just like in museums abroad. People pay money to enter museums abroad but we do not collect money in my gallery because it is a foundation and it is a dream that came to fruition,” she revealed.
Their prices are cheap. “With N500, you can buy something from us. Buyers determine the price of an artwork.”
Okundaye is keen to point out that she does not make money in Nigeria. “I actually make money outside Nigeria. I do workshop in many countries. This year, I have been to Austria, France and Spain, that is the only way I succeed with my work, but I derive joy and satisfaction of doing it in Nigeria. I want to leave the gallery as a legacy after my death. I have tried my best to involve government but it seems that art is the last thing that they would want to pay attention to because it does not bring money immediately. They don’t know that it is a long term investment.
“In South Africa, artists have a strong association. They are financed and supported by their government. I really want government to come in and help us so that tourists will be attracted to come here and see our rich heritage. I want the Federal Government to help us in the maintenance of the gallery. Tourists that visit Nigeria may not want to see a shopping complex or five star hotel but creativity. I want the Federal Government to put money in the ministry of Art and Culture so that we can have street art and heritage sites like Adire site in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Indigo site in Osogbo, Osun State and bigger dye pits in Kano,” she appealed.
Nike
When asked if she faces challenges due to the enormous work she does, she quips: “I pay heavy tax for my gallery despite the fact that it is a foundation to help artists and art lovers. I work here with my husband, daughter and cousin because I don’t have enough resources to pay other staff. I hired a security man, driver and a cleaning firm but we do all other jobs by ourselves to minimise cost.
“Travelling every weekend to Osun State to bring in new thing and tutor people on industrial training is also challenging. I provided accommodation for them and ensure that whoever comes to learn have a good stay. We also need sponsors to help us to print books so that we will distribute them to children in schools. It costs me a lot of money to do that.
“Funding has been my major challenge so I hereby appeal to individuals, private and public organisations to come to my aid. I know that government cannot do everything for us but I want them to assist us in any way they can.”
When she was asked to predict what art as a profession in Nigeria would be like in the next 10 years, she cuts in: “With the help of the Ministry for Arts and Culture, Nigeria will be known as African art depot in the next 10 years. We have about 30,000 registered artists in Nigeria which is quite intimidating compared with other countries. I am sure that the unregistered artists are more in number than the registered ones.”
Despite the challenges she is facing, what has proved interesting to her is people’s appreciation and encouragement which drive her on. “Special people and organisation that have been very supportive to my work include Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, Mrs. Ajoke Murtala, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and so on. I derived my inspiration through the happiness people exhibit when they have an encounter with me or appreciate what I am doing. This gallery enables Nigerians to learn and develop their cultural heritage.”
Nike with some women
Concerning her future plans, she wants to turn the training centre at Osogbo to a school. “I want more women to join in this job because it is interesting and you can stay in your parlour or backyard to do it. I need an art school in Osogbo and Lagos but the fund to set up these schools is not available.
 “I feel disappointed when I am asked to pay the same tax with companies that are making millions of Naira per month. They are some weeks we don’t even make up to N50. 00 here despite high cost in maintain our generator and other things.”
Nike cites the likes of Mama Susanne Wenger and her late ex-husband, Prince Twins Seven Seven, born Prince Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelale Osuntoki among her influences. She was mentored by her great grandmother who pioneered her training. “In her time, art was done as a hobby and for pleasure and that is what I take it to be.” 
Despite her disappointment, her greatest achievement is the present conditions of many women and artists who have passed through her centres from the 1970s till date. “Some of them have trained their children to university levels, live in their personal houses and are now rich. I am happy to see them becoming successful and rich. It can be likened to turning an ash to treasure.
“I am glad that I changed the dressing pattern of many artists in Osogbo who where hitherto dressing like rastafarians, leaving their beards bushy and rough.”
 She points out that: “Artwork is a therapy. If you see a work in which a mother is carrying her baby, it means love and warmness. If you look at an artwork, you would forget your problem. I am surprised that people have a belief that there is a spirit in an artwork, especially, the sculptures. Someone can give a dog a bad name in order to kill it.”
Nike
Nike is happily married to a retired commissioner of police, Mr. Okundaye, who she met in Osun State and they are blessed with a child but she has children from her previous marriages. She described her husband as a very supportive and caring man.
The cool and calm woman who is on a mission to reposition Nigeria and indeed Africa’s rich culture in people’s minds advises young artists in Nigeria: “Be honest in anything you do. Whatever you are doing, do it well. Let your work advertise your name. Market yourself in a good way. When you make money, save for the rainy day. Divide it into three parts-for your needs, family, then save the third part for your future. Above all, pass the knowledge to your children. Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso was not a millionaire before he died but his works are now in many countries.”

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