Rukkayyah Iman is a multidisciplinary artist who recently delved into crypto art. With certificates from the London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts, she has carved a niche for herself in traditional and digital art. The Jigawa State indigene and London-trained artist reveals why some Nigerian artists are yet to move with the trend of crypto art. She is also a mental health advocate, neurological diversity advocate and art activist who intends to make changes with her works which range from writing, poetry, to painting, photo editing and digital art.
How have you evolved as an artist?
Before art, it was creative writing, poetry, photography and media manipulations. Before I became the type of artist people now see, I’ve always been an artist through the things I do. Art started at a young age for me and even then, my paintings were used to express the depth of my emotions. They were maximal in style, mixed medium and I used a lot of blacks. Evolvement for me is a must in everything I do, but it comes from the inside. You can be influenced by the outside but it comes from within. I make more art for people than myself nowadays as it’s transitioned into a business.
With commissions, you have to listen to what the customer wants and how they want it, I struggled with this art at first as I would make something and would have to start from the beginning. I get attached to my work but when it’s hustle, tears are part of the process, both literal and figuratively. I went from painting on paper, canvas, wooden slabs to now taking digital art more seriously as that is what people request more often.
Why crypto art?
Living in a technological system where we have to prove we are not robots, you need to be up to date. If your devices (phones, computer software) are needed to be updated to improve their performances, why can’t I apply that method to my work? To update is to keep up with what’s in vogue and today we have crypto art. Crypto art is the future, everything is constantly shifting. I wish people were still focused on traditional art like the 1500s when we didn’t have selfies or cameras so that form was more significant but this is what people are interested in.
Crypto is also an investment for someone that trades and this is perfect for artists as your works are sold in cryptocurrency. Ultimately, this fetches you more coins that you can stack up or trade. With crypto art, you can sell many versions of the work you put out, you can sell multiple times and get commissions from each sale. There are also auctions where people bid on your work as they would do at a traditional auction but with this, it is an ever-going auction until the work sells. I am still new to the scene but I have advised anyone looking into it to do a lot of research and get acquainted with trading first.
Is there a future for crypto art in Nigeria?
I have seen artists adapt. Some switch to this form altogether and some still keep their traditional methods. There is a Nigerian-made NFT platform exclusive to promoting African artists launching in July. Nigerian artists have been taking on the trend but it would become the new norm sooner than the speed of light. It is been welcomed in Nigeria but not as quickly as it was in other countries. Sometimes, we are wary of what is new to us and if you really think of it, a lot of the population would not accept this as we still do not accept a lot of western trends, concepts and values. Many may never encounter something like this, but I hope for those who do, they experience it to the fullest. I am still trying to reach my full potential with crypto art and I hope my decision will also encourage other artists. As an artist, I try to find different ways to monetize my work and this is definitely one of them, so I encourage others to look into it too.
Do you consider your gender as a strength or weakness in the industry?
My gender is powerful; women dominate anything we put our minds to. Though in the art industry, men still get paid higher than female artists, it’s upsetting. When will we see equality? My work can be just as good but still valued less. It’s hard enough being an artist, it’s twice hard being a female in a patriarchal system – a black Muslim female artist, but ‘with hardship comes ease’ so you have to push, the world will never be fair but you can’t give up, more storms and battles are ahead of you, but also are more blessings and celebrations. Never give up.
Being a northern female artist can come off as taboo at times to some as I use my voice and expressionist forms to depict unjust. I also do graffiti. I get negativity thrown around like confetti and comparisons that circulate in my mind at times. Most of this is because I am a woman, a woman doing what I want and doing it exquisitely, it will never resonate with some. For female artists, I would say be cautious of your customers as some see an opportunity to talk to you by requesting for a painting or buying a t-shirt and also if you are doing deliveries yourself be careful. Even in this industry, we have to take caution.
You are also a poet; how do you combine them?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist; poetry is what a lot of people know me for, as well as my art. It’s what I started with and I put equal amounts of energy into it as I do with my art. For me, poetry is divided into two, written and spoken word. With my art, I normally use my written form and incorporate it into my paintings and digital manipulations, a lot of the paintings I do have poems written on the back, which is also a way I brand them. My poetry and artwork in harmony, I like to combine them but also appreciate both forms on their own.
What gives you more fulfilment, poem or art?
Everything I do gives me fulfilment. There is more to do with art and I’ve been focused on it more recently but poetry is a part of me and my first love, both have been there for me on my dark days and have helped me evolve as a human being. At one point, I only saw my art and poetry and nothing else, as I am a really passionate individual and I get lost in what I do. I also do some creative direction for photoshoots and videos which gives me a different type of fulfilment as these things take a team, seeing my ideas coming together with different processes is wonderful.
Tell us about the first money you made from art
The first money I made from an art piece had me exhilarated as I didn’t think I would sell at first. I was anxious and didn’t know where I was heading. But from that first sale, I knew it was possible. For my clothing customization, I was playing around and got a paintbrush, I painted all over my jeans and went to university the next day, people asked me about them and I said I did them. I saw the opportunity and started customizing clothes with my art on them. At first, I didn’t know how to price but after some time I got better. Last year I was commissioned by the government, this was a highlight for me personally as what I did was to serve a purpose.
