Yomi Gbamis is a self-taught artist born in Kaduna State. The abstract expressionism artist has made his mark with his iconic works and flamboyant use of gradients. The graduate of Agricultural Economics and Extension from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, speaks on his passion for art and love for agriculture and business.
Considering your agricultural background, why art?
Art was always somewhere inside me even when I didn’t know the meaning. I started as a science student in secondary school then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension. Through it all, my passion for art has always remained with me. I constantly explore different art.
I see art in everything. As I get older, I understood better it was abstract, so I started adding colours. It will always remain my first love regardless of the businesses I will do now or in the future.
As a self-taught artist, how would you describe the journey into art?
The journey of art is unending. I have always been one to move with the flow when it comes to creating art. Being an artist has its ups and downs but the outcome, in the end, is always worth it.
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The journey has been lovely; so many challenges but it has been lovely. It is something I am passionate about even when I face any kind of difficulties. I just see it as one of the challenges that will make me grow.
What interests you about abstract expressionism?
Abstract art is a lifestyle. Life is beautiful and everything God created is perfectly made. Look around you, try to imagine it in form of lines, shapes, and colours, then put it on a plain surface. It is that simple and fun. Abstract art is nonrepresentational and non-objective and the beauty speaks for itself in an unreality form.
Good abstract art has a message, concept, pattern or unique technique, that should be communicable without the help of anyone. Abstract art has formed a central stream of modern art since the early 1900s and it can only get better with time.
The abstract allows me to mix several colours which now lead to mixed media. There are no rules in abstract art. You can do any perspective you like and get away with it. There are not many rules like other kinds of styles. You can paint what you feel like as long as you can explain what you put on the canvas to your audience. The audience with abstract art also exercises freedom of interpretation. There is always room for them to watch, imagine and just interpret the way they love the work. These aid therapy.
Abstract art is therapeutic. You can watch artwork and keep looking and you won’t know what it is actually doing for you. You can be looking at an artwork and be lost in it. You will just notice that you’ll forget about other things by looking at and imagining the thought of the artist.
You could actually keep looking and see different views, and that is why artwork is actually therapeutic. It relieves your mind, making it a big benefit to your health. It eases tension.
What do you intend to achieve with your work?
I hope to inspire people who come across my work to see the beauty surrounding our daily lives. I embraced a unique pattern/technique of art. I intend to do more amazing art pieces and sell them worldwide. I intend to train people on my techniques and it could be through social media or other means.
There seems to be a move to mixed media by several visual artists. What does this portend for the future of art in Nigeria?
The growing use of mixed media by Nigerians is both creative and innovative as it inspires future generations of artists to explore and create beyond limitations. Mixed media is definitely trending in the world as well as in Nigerian artworks.
Nigerian art has deep culture, an amazing storyline that goes back in time and a rich tempo which could only reach for the sky when aligned with more options of authenticity.
Your works are widely commended and patronized. Tell us about your inspiration and how you derive the energy to do such great pieces?
My artwork is inspired by everyday life including nature, entertainment and people around me. I am passionate about creating art, so the energy comes naturally. One of the things is movies. I don’t watch movies like other people. I pick things in the movies which I use later. I also get inspired by music as well.
Most times I just paint with no reference. I don’t use references, I just take the brush and put a playlist on shuffle. When the music is playing, I could relate to what the person is singing and it affects how I paint also. My mood also dictates the direction of my work. There are also times I reflect on my past.
Could you share some low moments in your career and how you were able to pull out?
Like every other artist, I also go through moments where I feel uninspired and unmotivated. I get through those moments by taking some time off and focusing on other things. Most times I end up drawing inspiration from those distractions.
Tell us about your projects
I am currently working on some African art series and planning on displaying my works at more international exhibitions in the future. I am working on lots of artwork; I have more than 50 stretched canvases that I am working on.
There is a lot coming, and it is not like the things I’ve posted on my page. I will be doing solo exhibitions very soon and I will be working in different countries too.
Could you speak about some of the exhibitions you’ve participated in?
I had the opportunity to participate in a live art exhibition hosted by the Romania pavilion during the UAE Expo2020. It was not the usual gallery exhibitions or art shows, where people display their already made artworks for sale or for collectors/interior designers to make their choice. It was a presentational moment whereby an artist would paint from the mind and all the processes, each step, material and medium would be monitored live in the presence of an audience.
A plain canvas and painting materials were provided and a time frame was given to paint a piece of art and show the viewers what the creative art process is all about.
What will you describe as the high point of your career?
The high point of my career would be when my artworks are more recognised globally. At that stage, I will be glad and feel like I am getting somewhere. I am actually still growing and still planning to make greater artwork. I actually did other businesses in the past and still plan to do more. I am into agriculture and also real estate.
I will love other businesses to align with my art. When they align, then, I will know that it is another high point in my career. The fact that the whole business could work together and grow is something for me and at that stage, I will know that this career is actually growing.
I will actually love to own a gallery. It won’t just be my artwork alone. I will collect other lovely, great artworks from other painters; any kind of work that I perceive as lovely and of good standard too.
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