Seyi Odukoya
Ijegun, Nigeria
Seyi Odukoya is an expressive acrylic painter based in Lagos, Nigeria. His art is influenced by landscapes, nature, and human facial expressions. Seyi uses bright and vivid hues to capture the spirit of his subject, employing bold brush strokes that curve into melodious symphony and rhythm that creates soulful meditation for the viewers.
Some of his works adorn the walls of Nigeria Television Authority, Victoria Island, Iglesias Hotel, Surulere, Afren Energy, Victoria Island, and Lagos. He is widely collected in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the US. Seyi has participated in many group exhibitions, and one of his works is also featured in the 16 cityscape ideas from around the world by Mont Marte in Australia.
Artist Interview
Q: Can you share how your artistic journey began? What inspired you to start creating, and how has that initial spark evolved over time?
A: My artistic journey began when I was a child. I vividly remember drawing on almost anything, including my school notes and any surface I could find. When I was in primary school, I met other pupils who also loved to draw. We teamed up and started creating comics, sharing our stories with one another.
It was a lot of fun back then. What inspired me to start creating was something that was just there - "The Anointing." I was consumed by this feeling that as soon as I had something in my hand, whether a pen, pencil, stone, or charcoal, I had to scribble something on any available surface. Over the last seventeen years, that initial spark has grown and evolved. Learning from other artists, attending exhibitions, and seeing the incredible work of others has been inspiring. By looking at human facial expressions and my immediate environment, I have come to appreciate the great Creator who has made everything beautiful in this world and all that’s in it.
My work not only explores the relationship between the human heart and facial expressions, but also the relationship between man and his natural environment. As a multi-versatile artist, I'm compelled to engage the human mind to see the beauty that lies within, and to call the things that are not as though they were, by employing bold brush strokes that curve into a melodious symphony and rhythm and create soulful meditation for the viewers.
Q: What have been some of the most significant moments or challenges in your journey as an artist?
A: One of the most significant moments in my life was when I made my first sale. Boy, oh boy, the feeling was so good. I felt like I was on top of the world. That motivated me to keep doing what I was doing and not to give up.
The challenges I’ve faced as an artist are, I think, the same everywhere. One of the biggest is that your work may not appeal to everyone, and there’s often pressure to follow what everyone else is doing. Right now, we’re seeing a wave in the art industry where hyper-realistic works are spreading everywhere. But what has really helped me is staying focused and not getting swayed by these trends. The temptation is always there, especially when it comes to sales, because you want to create what sells. But at the end of the day, I just want to be myself and stay true to my inner self.
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to other creatives, what would it be?
A: Follow your heart and be open to the inspirations that come from it. You never know where it will lead. Remember that you are on a journey and your gift and talent is eternal.