Hello, would you like to introduce yourself?
Eko Adetolani: My name is Eko Adetolani but most people know me as Eko. I’m a visual artist & software engineer from Lagos Island in Lagos state. I love creating new things using any available medium. I think it’s a wonderful thing to have an idea in your head and bring it to life for others to see. I aim to convey ideas, concepts & emotions in my work. I want my work to make people feel something.
Can you describe the time when you first realised that creating was something you absolutely had to do?
Eko Adetolani: As a child, I was always creating one thing or the other, from drawings & paintings to small battery powered devices. It never really felt like work & I was always excited to start a new project. It was at this point I knew I was going to spend most of my life creating & bringing ideas to life. Creating new things always made me happy, It was like inviting people into my mind to share my thoughts.
Apart from art, what other interests do you have?
Eko Adetolani: My mind travels a lot so I’m interested in quite a number of things. I’m really interested in tech, I started an initiative, my friends, earlier this year called TEXPO. It’s a tech exhibition that helps African tech startups get investment/funding. I also write code a lot (almost every day). I’m also interested in the design of everything, from Product/Industrial design to stage/set design & graphic design. Most importantly, I’m very interested in people & how they work. As a creative, most of your work is going to be viewed or used by people so it’s important to understand how people work. You need to understand how people think, what makes them happy or sad & what makes them feel connected/attached to something.
Do have a regular creative pattern, routine or ritual you engage in?
Eko Adetolani: I don’t think I have a creative pattern or routine but I like to expose myself to a wide variety of related & unrelated content, it helps a lot when I’m creating. It helps me see things from a different point of view
What themes do you pursue?
Eko Adetolani: I try as much as possible to not be constrained by themes but I’m a big fan of African art. Africa is home to a lot of great artists and art has always been part of our tradition & culture; face painting, sculptures, motifs e.t.c. African art shows a great deal of sophistication, In fact, a lot of Pablo Picasso’s work from 1906 to 1909 was greatly influenced by African art. I’m also a big fan of unorthodox & unusual work, work that is different from the regular stuff. I think it’s important to switch things up from time to time. Recently I have been exploring other themes and styles of art so I don’t unconsciously put myself in a creative box and keep producing similar content.
Professionally, what’s your goal or goals?
Eko Adetolani: I wouldn’t say this is a professional goal but I really want to show the world the great things Nigerians & Africans are capable of. I hope to do this through my work & that of other young creatives. I also want to get to a stage in life where I can create without any constraints using any medium I choose.
Which of your works would you say is your favourite piece?
Eko Adetolani: I don’t have a favourite piece, all my works appeal to me in different ways.
What are you trying to say with your art?
Eko Adetolani: Every piece I work on has a story, idea/concept behind it. For example, this piece is about the labour strike that took place in May 2016 because of the price of petrol. But generally, I create because I feel the need to, sometimes I just feel a certain way and I just create whatever comes. It’s a spontaneous process really.
Which creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet?
Eko Adetolani: It has to be words, spoken and written. I have never really been able to express myself properly with words. I never seem to find the right words to convey ideas & concepts. I unconsciously turned to other forms of expression because of this. It’s so much easier with visuals, music and technology. I have a lot of respect for writers, journalists, poets and other people who can express themselves effectively with words. You guys are great
Whats your favourite or most inspirational place? (your happy place).
Eko Adetolani: My happy place is somewhere between when I first get an idea and when I start working on it. I imagine how the different parts of the idea or concept are going to come together and how I want it to turn out. At this point, there’s a lot of excitement going on in my head and I can’t wait to start work on it.
What’s the best advice you know about how to be more creative?
Eko Adetolani: To be more creative, you have to trust yourself and believe in your ability. Being creative is really about being yourself, expressing yourself and inviting people into your mind & thoughts. You have to be aware of your environment but also leave your comfort zone, explore & experience new things. It serves as a great source of inspiration.
You can take a look at some of his other works or contact him for purchase on all social media platforms. Follow him on Instagram @Eko__A