Visual artist and book cover illustrator, Renike Olusanya, believes African digital artists are undervalued: ‘If I could change anything about the African art industry, it would be how digital artists are treated. They are often exempted from art activities and undervalued. It’s quite sad that non-Africans value African digital artists more than their own people do.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
Growing up, I wasn’t an avid reader. I read lots of comics and storybooks because I was more of a visual person. I loved observing colours and expressions. At some point, I started reading young adult novels (mostly romcoms). As a teenager, I got into reading thrillers, thanks to my dad. One night he gave me a John Grisham novel and I read over 500 pages in two days, all at night because it was so good.
If your life so far was a series of texts, which text (fiction or non-fiction) represents you at this moment?
‘Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health – take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish.’ — Beyonce
What’s the last thing you read and disagreed with?
Mostly tweets about how women should behave/act in relation to men. I don’t want to mention handles.
What’s the last thing you read that changed your mind about something?
In 1877, W.K. Clifford, a philosopher, noted that ‘none of our beliefs are an island; being lazy about just one of them – failing to seek out evidence related to a belief you have doubts about – will corrupt one’s whole belief system. An antidote to this is to seek out the critical input of others. Again, it’s not up to us to change what we believe directly. For that, we need evidence. And a great source of evidence is argument.’
Growing up, I wasn’t an avid reader. I read lots of comics and storybooks because I was more of a visual person. I loved observing colours and expressions.
You’re a visual and book cover artist and illustrator. What inspired you to pursue a career in arts?
I wasn’t inspired to pursue a career in arts per se, I just happened to find myself there and it has worked for me.
Which is your favourite out of your artworks? And why?
I don’t particularly have a favourite painting. But I really like my dance artworks, what they represent and the stories they tell.
To what extent, if at all, is your art political?
Hardly ever. Just very few of them are, intentionally so.
And what’s one thing you would change about the African art industry?
I think it’s a common thing among Africans that they dislike and push aside inventions or mediums that are strange to them especially when it’s something that involves new technology. It’s how some traditional artists and collectors view digital artists. As someone who practices both traditionally and digitally, I can confirm that both require a high amount of skill and practice and should be equally appreciated. If I could change anything about the African art industry, it would be how digital artists are treated. They are often exempted from art activities and undervalued. It’s quite sad that non-Africans value African digital artists more than their own people do.
What was the first book cover you illustrated? And how was the experience?
The first book cover I illustrated was The Silence We Eat by Oyindamola Shoola. It was such an amazing experience. I knew I loved book cover illustrations and have continued to, thanks to that experience.
Which author would you like to illustrate a cover for one day?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Michelle Obama, Titilope Shonuga.
I wasn’t inspired to pursue a career in arts per se, I just happened to find myself there and it has worked for me.
What is the most meaningful piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
To try afraid. What’s the worst that could happen? You’ll fail, but you won’t die. You’ll learn and try again.
Who are the artists you’re most excited about today (and why?)
Anthonia Nneji, Juliet Nneka, Chigozie Obi, Chidinma Nnoli, Damilola Onosowobo, Anthony Azekwoh, Uzo Njoku, Niyi Okeowo, Adanna Art, Adulphina Imuede, just to name a few. They are absolutely phenomenal.
What is your favourite topic to write or read about these days? (Please include the names of articles and books, if possible)
Hmm… I don’t have favourites. For books, I’m a huge fan of romcoms and thrillers, articles, self-help, technology, and psychology. I write about anything I’m learning or anything that piques my interest.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on resting, lol. I’m learning how to rest and pace myself when creating. I’m also starting a fast–fashion clothing business with my friend, Damilola Onosowobo, called Bawsty (Shopbawsty) for busty women.
As someone who practices both traditionally and digitally, I can confirm that both require a high amount of skill and practice and should be equally appreciated.
Question from Edwin Okolo: What is the most insightful criticism you have gotten about your work and what did it reveal to you about yourself?
I honestly haven’t gotten a lot of valid criticism before. Comments here and there, but nothing valuable to me. But there is something people say and don’t mean as criticism, but I take it as such. They say my art works (the portraits) look like me. It makes me feel very weird because it’s never intended. While it can be a beautiful or amusing thing, it bothers me just a bit and I am taking steps to adjust that in a way that my style still shows, but they don’t look so much like me.
Bonus: Please suggest a question for a future author’s First Draft
Have you ever written something you hated and wanted to delete/destroy? What did you end up doing and why?⎈
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