Bassey Ekong is a fine artist who plies his trade along Ibeh Road on the Ago-Okota-Isolo axis. Born and bred within the environs of Oshodi-Isolo. He attended Olokun Primary School, Isolo, and also Okota Senior Secondary School. His love for Art which he claims is inborn led him to enroll for an Arts programme in Oprah Benson Vocational training school, Yaba. Ekong shares with JOY NGWOLO and EARL OKEZIE his high and low moments in his road to becoming an Artist.
How did you get into this line of business?
I could say that I have been drawing from age ten but it has always been inborn. In the beginning, my mother felt Art was not lucrative so she was not in support of it. Although my dad is late, I was told that he was also an artisan, which made my mum conclude that I inherited this gift from him, and so she eventually allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. She never believed I would come this far until she began to see my works. From then, she let go of her worries as regards my choosing Art as a career. After secondary school, I enrolled for training under the tutelage of some artists, although I had a tough time when I left my masters to start up my own trade, I have been keeping on.
I discovered that Art is one of the things I preferred to do more because I feel inspired to do it. Looking at the beauty of creation, I tend to understand better the essence of Art because it is far beyond talent, it is spiritual because it is in line with God’s creation, that is the way I perceive it. I do artworks and aside from painting portraits, I do landscape, relief sculptures, and other things that pertain to Arts.
Do you have any regrets choosing this line of business?
I wouldn’t say I have regrets but there were times when I felt like giving up. Building the business from scratch has not been easy due to financial challenges and the money was not forthcoming so I felt like giving up. Thankfully, I got encouragement from a lot of people including counseling from people in my church. I also believed that God would see me through. Those challenges made me realize that life is not that easy, sometimes you have to push harder to achieve your dreams.
If you had enough money, what would you do differently?
I rent a shop where I can exhibit my works.
So, being by the roadside has not helped you achieve that?
It has to some extent but not completely. I showcase my artworks on social media as well because that is an avenue to get more clients.
What keeps you going despite the challenges you face?
Some people appreciate my work, for instance, parents in the community have come to understand that it is necessary for their children to acquire skills including basic arts. To me, having a skill is more important than going to school, because formal education is no longer enough to put food on one’s table. That is what they have come to realize, and that’s why you see children around me getting training from me. That gives me a sense of fulfillment too.
How lucrative is this business?
Arts is lucrative although environmental factors also influence how successful one becomes in the business of Art. For instance, in this environment, I will not say it is not lucrative or patronizing but the challenge is how people perceive Arts. When someone does not know the importance of Arts, they will not appreciate its value and that is why there should be enlightenment on this work that we are doing. Arts is not only about portraiture; it is a decorative material. I believe that if an artist is in a better environment, where people appreciate the value of Arts, there will be better results. Also, people who are into this business need to be hardworking and put their strength into what they are doing because it is the amount of energy you put into it that will determine the results.
You said that people do not know the value of Arts, what is the impact of your industry on society?
Arts is a decorative material, it is historical and helps to preserve memories. For instance, if you do a picture frame and keep it in your house if water touches it, it can wipe off, it won’t last. But when you do a portrait, it lasts forever and it will serve as memories for your children even the ones unborn.
How has the pandemic affected your business?
It didn’t affect me much because even during that period, I got calls from people asking me to paint their homes for them because I design murals and paint houses too.
What is your advice for parents who still want to influence their children’s choice of career?
Study your child and understand what he likes to do just as it is with the westerners. For instance, when they discover that a child loves singing, they help that child to groom that talent but here in Nigeria, a lot of parents like to impose their ideas on their children, not letting them decide on what they want to do. When you force a child to learn a trade, the child may learn that trade out of pressure without any passion for it.
What is your advice for people who want to go into this trade?
Keep pursuing your dreams, don’t get distracted no matter the challenges that come your way, believe in God, and be focused. Do a lot of research, don’t depend on what you were taught during your training. Collaborate with your colleagues in the field and share ideas with them.
What inspires you?
White men’s painting, the likes of Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, and many others They are great painters of ancient times, if you observe their work carefully, you will see that they look natural, you can see the feel of life in them, they are not cartoonish. I try to apply their techniques to my paintings as well.
If you were not an artist what would you be?
I would have loved to be a musician.
