THE YOUTH BOSS: MEET NIGERIA’S FOREMOST VERSATILE ARTIST!

Hello YnM lovers!

I hope your Sunday rice was jollof! Mine was stewish…

Tonight’s episode of ENTREPACT features a hardworking Nigerian artist.

There are very few who nurture their God-given talent into maturity. It is a common phenomenon to see young people go to school to study what they are passionate about. Our African parents want a world of doctors and Lawyers: Linguistics is a no-no.

When you come across people who study what they are passionate about, regardless of what others think, celebrate them! They are worth it!

Never allow anybody belittle your dreams. And never let any ambition bury your talents!

Oh! Today is not for the talks, we’re here to MEET JOSHUA!

In an exclusive interview with YnM, he shares some of his challenges, secrets and achievements. See for yourself:

Please, can we meet you?

I'm Aworetan Joshua Temitope, A creative artist, & a 300 level visual art student of the University of Lagos, Akoka.

How long have you been drawing?

I've been drawing from as long as I know myself. It’s from childhood, I'm sure I'd have been drawing right from my mother's womb.  As early as 5 years old, I can still remember well that I make use of every plain paper I find around me to draw, every available book in the house you'd definitely find one or more of my drawings in it.

You once spoke about being “self-made”. Did you learn this art?

No! not at all. It is a natural gift from God, I’m just improving myself, getting the theoretical aspect and a little more practical assignments from school, that’s all.

That’s great! Drawing as a little child, was there ever a time when your little works were criticized or laughed at, by peers or even your parents?

I was lucky to escape the critical aspects of my drawings because among my peers, I draw exceptionally good beyond what a child of my age could do, so they couldn’t even criticize my drawings, only that my mum complained a lot about how I used to draw on every book in the house. As a matter of fact, some of my friends or guys around, bought my drawings, and some pay me to draw some of their favourite super heroes like Superman, Spiderman, Batman, the soccer heroes of the famous comic supa strikas, Shesgz Okoro and so on. So I didn't get much of the criticism, and perhaps that didn't discourage me about that passion I had for art generally.

Speaking of passion for art generally, what other genre of art do you practice?

Apart from the visual aspect of art (drawing, painting, & designing), I write, I also sing, and I dance too, being the shy kid from childhood I'd definitely be a horrible actor if I decide to add drama to the other genres of art I love, but gradually I'm also beginning to develop feelings for acting too because I'm no longer that shy kid I used to be at childhood, now I can be dramatic at the slightest opportunity, especially when I'm with my people.

Oh wow! So, ex-shy kid, would you love to tell us your best moment as an artist?

Yes, I have several great moments being an artist, but the best moment of them all was when I got a job recommendation from outside Nigeria, the U.K precisely, it was really a thing of joy for me because that shows I'm actually getting some things right with my works to get such a recommendation.

So far, I've gotten 3 job recommendation from outside Africa, 1 from the U.K and 2 from the U.S, but I only gotten one of the 3 Job recommendations, i got one out of the 2 jobs from U.S, but the U.K recommendation came first, and that was my happiest moment.

Great! Asides those wonderful moments, were there times when you almost gave up on this?

Definitely! There were times I felt like that, there are so many times like that, especially now that it is no longer just a hobby, but a profession. When the jobs don't come in as much as it used to, or it doesn't come in for a long time, I feel down and frustrated, but I just have to keep on working harder and harder to improve myself, but I can't give up on art because giving up on art is like giving up on my life, art is my life.

Can you describe this as a profitable venture?

For me personally, I'd say It is a very profitable venture if you understand the business side of it, and you get jobs from the right clients, and generally it is a profitable venture for all artists too, except you don't know your way with the business of art, as we speak, art now has a high value globally, and you get paid depending on what value your brand stands at.

Finally, what would be your advice to young artists out there, who have a flair for this, but don't think there is anything in it for them?

Some of my advice for them is that they should stay focused with the dream, patience is key too because there is no job specification that doesn't have its own challenges. They should keep on improving themselves on a daily basis with the Craft because there is a lot to benefit from being an artist. Be super creative too, because you can't do ordinary things and expect extraordinary results. Finally, be trustworthy when called upon for jobs, "a person tested with little and handles it well, can be entrusted with something bigger”

Great advice! It's nice having you on this platform. Thanks for your time!

It’s pleasure being your guest today, thank you YnM!

I.G: @joshuart_and_design

See some of Joshua's works below:

Any comments/questions? Kindly drop them in the comment box below!

Are you a youth entrepreneur? Read previous post on how to apply for ENTREPACT!

Have a great night!  Wake up a better you!

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