Ayomikun Omoyiola, a
pupil of Queensland Academy, Okota- Lagos, earned the honorary status of Peace
Ambassador from the Federal Government for her painting titled Peace in the
midst of a Storm (acrylic on white cardboard). The articulate 10-year-old Kwara
State indigene talks about inspiration for the painting, books and being a role
model to her peers in this interview culled from nigeriacentenaryblog.com
What inspired “Peace in the midst of the Storm” and how long
did it take you to paint it?
The painting took me about three hours at home. I used to
watch news on the television and listen to radio too. So I hear a lot of things
happening in Nigeria: the bombings, violence, kidnapping and rape, pipeline
vandalism, lack of power supply and insecurity too. I see all these as a storm
and challenges we’re facing in this country and I made the painting titled
“Peace in the midst of the Storm”.
Interpret the painting and tell us why you chose each symbol
to depict your message
‘Peace in the midst of the Storm’ is an acrylic painting
done on a white cardboard. In the work you will see a white dove flying with
the Nigeria flag in its beak. On the dove’s neck is a golden necklace too. At
the background is a blue colour and scribbles of black and red colours. The
white dove symbolises peace while the golden beads on its neck show the wealth
of Nigeria; the orange colour on the small stick in the Nigeria flag means
endurance and creativity; the green on the Nigerian flag show development and
growth; while the white on the flag means peace. The blue background shows
gloom and depression while the scribbles of black and red shows the storm that
Nigeria is going through, storms like kidnapping, violence, insecurity,
poverty, lack of adequate power supply, child abuse and many other bad things
that is happening in Nigeria.
What happens when there is peace? There will be joy, human
rights will be respected, and there will be love amongst Nigerians irrespective
of the tribes, ethnicity and religion. There will also be development and
Nigeria will be a great country to live in. I choose the symbols because they
are picture of what is happening in Nigeria. They are what I have seen on the
news and read in the newspapers. I am saying we should all allow peace to reign
in Nigeria.
How did you know you had the gift of an artist?
When I was about age four, I used to make drawings on papers
and show it to my parents who encouraged me. Then while I got to school, my
friends and people around also said I had a special gift in art. Last August,
my parents employed Mr. Adewale Joel to be my art teacher and he would come to
our house on weekends to tutor me. Since then my art has become stronger and
far better than the ones I made before now.
Have you painted other works? If yes, tell us a bit about
them?
Yes, I have painted other works like ‘Adesewa’, ‘Deep
Things’, Apple of God’s Eye, ‘Celebration’, ‘The Rain is Here’, ‘Dem dey do
Shakara’, ‘Just Gisting’,’ Iya Ni Wura’and others I can’t remember now. I have
about 22 large paintings in my portfolio. All of them are done in acrylic on a
white cardboard.
Tell us a bit about these works and what inspired you to
paint them
‘Adesewa’ talks about the beauty of the African woman and
her cultural heritage; ‘Apple of God’s eye’ talk about the protection God has
for his children so they are not harmed by wicked people. ‘Celebration’ talks
about moment of joy created by a drummer with a gan gan drum. ‘The Rain is
here’ talks about floods and challenges that people face in the rainy season.
When it rains, it affects the rich and poor, children and adults, young and old
too. ‘Dem dey do shakara’ is a story of three girls who are dressed in flashy
clothes trying to impress people around their neighbourhood; while ‘Iya Ni
Wura’ talks about the value of a great mother. Mothers are precious jewels. I
love parents and I love my mother; ‘Iya Ni Wura’ is a painting I did to
appreciate African women, our mothers.
Why have you chosen to paint all your works on acrylic on
white cardboard; do you plan to embrace painting on other mediums in the
future?
Well, I started with drawings and moved on to wax crayons,
poster-colours and oil pastels. I think I enjoyed working with acrylic because
it is water based; it dries faster and makes my work look beautiful and bright.
Yes, I want to paint on canvas with oil paints. Also I want to make mixed media
painting and collage too.
What other subjects/theme do you plan to paint in the near
future?
Well, let’s say themes like health issues on (HIV/ AIDS,
malaria, and cancer), culture, motherhood, environment, festivals, child abuse
and so many others depending on what is happening around me.
Now that you are a ‘peace ambassador’, how do you do feel?
I feel so great and I thank God because it was God who made
it possible for me to receive the award and also my supportive parents Mr. and
Mrs. Omoyiola. I also thank ‘Nigeria Centenary’ for the award.
You are on vacation now; after resumption how do you think
your teachers and classmates would react to your new status as a Peace
Ambassador?
Before receiving this award and having won many awards
within the school and art competitions among international schools, many of my
classmates have seen me as someone they can look up to for guidance when it
comes to creating works of art. My teachers in school believe in me and my
creative ability. Now that I have been made a ‘Peace Ambassador’, I will be
given more opportunities to promote the good image of the school. I will also
participate in more art competitions and exhibitions in Nigeria. My new status
will be used to promote peace amongst my fellow pupils who are from other
religions and ethnic groups too. I know the school will award for me been a
good ambassador also.
When you first learned that you had been invited to the
awards ceremony how did you feel?
I was happy and joyous. I was also scared at the same time
because I have never boarded flight before.
What do you do in your spare time?
I read story books, newspapers, ride bicycle or play with my
friends. I read novels, I draw and paint.
Apart from school texts, what types of books do you read and
which book have you enjoyed reading the most?
I’m a bookworm. I have read Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda
Adichie and other books but I think I enjoyed The Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton.
It is a kind of mystery book on how children explore a magical wood. It is
adventurous and interesting too.
When will you begin to paint the artwork for the president
and what will the painting be about?
By God’s grace by August, I should start working on the
painting I want to present to the President; it will still be about peace. The
theme will still be peace but the title will be ‘United We Stand’. I want to
make a work that will help us to have peace with collective efforts. It will be
a better version of the first painting I presented to the SGF, Senator Pius
Anyim at the Centenary Award.
What would you like to be when you grow up?
I will like to be a successful artist and I will also like
to be involved in other disciplines which I have not decided now.
What would you like to say to children your age who have
talent like yourself
I will like to tell them to discover their talents and
participate in extra curricula activities in schools. I will tell them to use
their talents to promote the good image of this country. It may be in music,
drama, writing, speech or sciences too. We must tell the world Nigeria is the
best country in the world and we are blessed with great talents. I will also
tell them to work hard and have a mentor too. Because of my art mentor Mr.
Joel, my art has improved and I have visited to many great places. They should
never give up on their dreams no matter what is happening.
