Jumoke Sanwo is not the
only one but one of the many women that are bringing panache to an industry
that was hitherto more designed to be an itinerant profession and for men folk.
Jumoke is a grace, a command, a culture and a woman express, whose ‘process
thought to finish’ is incredible. Are we looking for more of them that are now
photo – divas? Jumoke is on the list. She dreams excellence which is the road
map to creating big pictures. She is equally in tune on how to break down ideas
and equipping herself with ‘laboratories’ to furnish her ideas. Her art is one
of the selected ‘times’ for the future.
Camera
smiles at you once you make yourself acceptable and reject you as soon as you
feel you are not special. Nigeria’s photography scene is no more gradually
growing, rather there is an explosion of the industry to the whole world and
the world is quick to pay attention on the scene, the people behind it and the ‘process
thought to finish’. The grace has been passed down easily from the legends to
the future. The generation of Peter Obe, Sunmi Smart – Cole, Tam Fiofori,
Ojeikhere, and Don Barber have been a blessing to Nigeria and the continent.
They got drowned in every aspect of photography to make us feel the grace
beneath the art through their ‘process thought to finish’. They went to war
during the Nigerian civil war, they gave us culture and fashion memoirs of
their time spanning generations, and they were at sports arena reporting
through their lenses, the studio was agog with their credentials as master of
their art and they made history with their front page headliners. We shouldn’t
forget, they were part of the African photographers that ushered in the
celebrity culture of the urban style Africa. One good thing these legends did,
ability and attitude to make the industry incredible but interesting to attract
the next generation.
Yes,
indeed the next generation came, but what a roll call. Then came with its
contemporariness that has given the young ones the several opportunities to
take their careers to the summit. Some of them have moved into conceptual
photography to get international acclaim backed with extensive curatorial
reviews as their censorship. Others are in photojournalism, documentary, travels,
style and fashion, wedding and event, advertising and industrial photography,
the list is endless. One gracious observation is the role of women in this new
age. One woman that is rocking the lens and getting the rewards in quantum is
Jumoke Sanwo. She is an Amazon making us to look into the book and see the
endless possibilities and power of a photographer. She confessed the grace
beneath as “the
joy of literature that must not be underestimated, as books formed me and
opened the road for me to decide where I belong. I read a lot as a child and
was introduced to the art at an early age. Though, most people would describe me as a
very pensive child. But I loved the camera from as far back as I could
remember. My father got himself engaged in photography and documented every
aspect of our childhood and teenage years and I still fondly remember my older
brother Wole who was living in London at the time would ask us to send a list
of what we need as gifts. I would always request for camera gifts most of the time.
In fact, it was usually the one on top of my list. I quickly and started seeing
the world in frames and consistency has driven me more. I keep investing in
myself all the time and it has been this way for a long time. I am a self
taught photographer.”
School Life
Self thought she was, since graduating
from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State, Nigeria where
she majored in English Studies, Jumoke still recalled those fun loving moments
and of her time in school. “Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, as you know is the
epicenter of culture and learning. As an institution, the experience is beyond
the academia. I learnt the art of engaging my space culturally and politically
in the four walls of the University. The cerebral engagement I found
within the students ensured a constant probe and thirst for knowledge. The
school was my first ‘laboratory experience’. The institution thoroughly
prepared me for the world and it was where I laid my foundation to bring the
allure and quality in me as an artist. I left school in the year 2000 with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies.
Then, I always knew I was naturally drawn to the arts but I didn't know
where I could fit in. I had an internship at a Design Firm, Design Point from
2001-2003 and learnt the rudiments of interior design. It was a great
experience, however I still felt I needed to explore other aspects. So I
decided to take a yearlong break and did some travel within this
period. From 2004 to 2010, I worked in the Aviation and Hospitality
industry that lasted for six remarkable years. But, art kept calling. ‘Jingo’ -
Dr Dipo Fashina was one of my philosophy lecturers’ way back in OAU. This set a
foundation for rational and logical thinking, a great tool in situational
assessment, she concluded.
Time Voyager
In 2011,
Jumoke embarked on a historic road trip from Lagos to Addis Ababa as part of
the
Invisible
Borders Trans African Photography Project. With this project she was able to explore
the concept of borders and barriers within the Continent, challenging the limitations
of free movement and trade. She has dedicated the last 4 years to get engage in
the discourse of promoting a united African State through a focus on mobility
and Trans - African exchange. “I
still remember vividly how I saw the world differently and this was my first
inclination towards the arts. Having access to cultures and traditions of the
places I lived in my formative years gave me the push. These ancient, but
beautiful and culturally institutionalized cities such as Owo and Ibadan made
great impact in my career life today. They were part of the earliest streams I
did my ‘purification’. Being curious as a cat in childhood gave me the current
edge I sit on presently. The photographer’s body of work has been
showcased in Amsterdam, London, New York, Brussels, Dubai, Venice-Italy, Lagos,
Sudan, South-Africa, Addis Ababa, Benin, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville and Ghana as
part of group shows and projects. She was showcased as part of New Museum of New-York’s
Triennial tagged “Ungovernables” A group of 34 artists and Collectives under
the platform of Invisible Borders Trans African Photography Project in 2012.
She was also selected in the spring of 2013 by the Studio Museum of Harlem in New-York
to participate in the Harlem Postcard Project, which culminated in an exhibition.
She has worked extensively on varied projects across, Africa as well as in Nigeria.
Her works have been published in local and
International Magazines as well as Art Journals situating her work in the
context of African Photography in the 21st Century. Moreover,
Jumoke’s Series “Silence des Femme” was
featured by the London Auction House TheAuction Room of London as part of its African Contemporary Photography Auction in April
2014. In the summer of 2015 her project Silence Des Femme was shortlisted for
the PRISMA Human Rights Award by the European Inter-University Centre for Human
Rights and Democratization (EUIC) in collaboration with Lightbox. The Silence
Des Femme Series was also showcased at the AUC headquarters in August 2015 in
Addis Ababa to commemorate the World Humanitarian Day. “Way back,
our parents wanted us to gravitate towards more traditional professions such as
medicine or law so at some point I decided to study law because my older sister
was a lawyer, so it seemed natural to want to follow in her footstep. Parents
would not see a visible career path in the arts and due to this, they
discourage any inclination towards it. Unfortunately or should I say fortunately
I ended up in the Humanities, which was my second option when I wrote the
university entrance examination. I
couldn’t gain admission to study law because I didn't score the required points
for the course. my major while in school was English Studies And I think
this was a turning point initially, then I thought I would become a writer, but
then, again, I realized this was only half of my expression. Words were
insufficient I needed more and I embraced the visual aspect of my expression
through photography
The
Practice
According
to the photo artist, photography is a visual representation of ideas, emotions
and communication. It is a tool of expression and communication. A very
powerful tool as well as responsibility. Determination, observation, research,
discipline and humility are the five game changers that set the photographer
apart. She
revealed how her first pay cheque in photography made her vow not to look for
another job again. “I was paid $1000. Being payment for a piece picked up by
one of my collectors who believed and encouraged me to pursue a career in the
arts.
Presently, the
photographer has done
and participated in over 20 exhibitions including group and solo presentations on
local and international platforms. “I
do believe in collaborative projects as a means to foster growth, but this can
be challenging especially when individual ambitions supersede that of the
group. I have been fortunate to be part of a few collaborative efforts in the
last few years, learnt a lot through them and this has made me a better artist,
Jumoke explained.
X- Perspective was an initiative of Yetunde
Babaeko and Jumoke Sanwo was approached about this initiative while attending a
master class organized by the British Council in 2011. She immediately showed
interest because it was an opportunity to work with other female photographers
in the business which she has fostered lifelong relationships. One of the
projects executed by X – Perspective was The Battle Scar, An initiative of
Yetunde Babaeko and the Sebeccly Cancer Center. The end goal was to raise awareness about the
scourge of breast cancer and use art as avenue to raise funds for the center. “I
was happy to be part of this but it was also a very emotional project. I
photographed three ladies two of them have since passed on. They were young
vibrant women who got cut in their prime. The project helped to create
awareness about cancer especially breast cancer and the treatment options
available within the country. I was happy to be part of it. We were giving the
artistic freedom of expression. Each artist chose the medium and format they
wanted to work on. The framework of the exhibition was collaboration among X -
perspective, The Goethe Institut and the Sebeccly Center. The curatorial
aspects was handled by Yetunde Babaeko and some other established
photographers.”
Daily
routine and influences
Her
studio is a living quarters so her day starts pretty early. “I start the day
definitely on my phone and scanning through social media, with my coffee, then
emails and meetings if I need to go out. I do some hospitality and Interior
Design consulting on the side which also is demanding and a different work
schedule aside from my art. When on the road which I get to be for at least two
months in a year, I work based on the project schedule. I am a night owl
therefore I function and get my inspiration mostly after dark so I find out
that I sleep less probably 4-5 hours on average. I don't work on Mondays,
unless there is an urgent career decision. I always find time to read, I
often tend to read more than one book at a time. My mind wanders so I need to
keep it occupied. I also research varied topics and ensure I make new
discoveries. I love technology and I am always striving towards finding a
better and more sustainable way to navigate the world.” Jumoke Sanwo is
currently working on a project with GIZ entitled - Value of Religion for
Development. She was selected alongside six other international artists to
collaborate with other photographers to work on this project. She affirmed that
she found it interesting because she does not believe in Religion, despite
being born into a Christian family. She sees herself as a spiritualist. “I am
observing the role religion plays especially in our world today vis a vis as a
tool for development, I am a skeptic but I have remained open and made rather
instructive discoveries,” she admitted.
Art and
peace one day…
In
her opinion, she thinks African artists are beginning to understand their value
in the chain of the global art world. In recent times, there has been a renewed
interest in African contemporary art but this time around, it is coming not
from a place of ‘fetishism’ anymore. I think it is important to not undersell
our value at this point and share our values along with the world while
ensuring the global acceptance is not just a facade.
I think seeking for peace in the world is a utopist concept and not
feasible but I think photography continues to play a huge role in development.
More than ever the advent of technology has brought visualization of our day to
day existence to all and also easily accessible... What photography is doing is
to highlight the similarities from one person to another all across the world,
dispelling established stereotypes and prejudice of race and tribe. I use my
photography as a tool to re - image the African continent through positive
portrayals.
Unforgettable
My
road trips with my father as a child. I got inspired to explore and see new
places. Also, my Arts takes Times Square exhibition was interesting to see
my work been beamed on a huge screen at Times Square New York. I will never
forget the architectural splendor of My Studio Museum of New York spring 2013
exhibition. ‘All the Worlds Future’ part
of the Invisible Borders collective at the 2015 Venice Art Biennale. Listed as
a finalist at the Prisma Human Rights exhibition in Lido, Venice is one
cherished moment for me.
Article/Ireho
Aito
Photographs/Jumoke
Sanwo
No comments:
Post a Comment