In 2015, Flinger Nose Comics Correspondence (FNC) http://flingernosecomics.blogspot.com,
had an interactive session with Dr.
Adeyemi (Ph.D, fsna), a visual artist, a critic, a lecturer, the director of
Kunle Adeyemi studio and the current H.O.D of Graphics Department, Yaba College
Of Technology, Nigeria’s premier tertiary institution. Our correspondents
caught up with him and found out his opinion on the Theme: The Challenges of
Migrating from Conventional to Digital Arts the 21st Century in our
Tertiary Institutions. And despite his busy schedule, he still made out some time
out for us. This interview is posted once again. Please read on.
FNC: Sir, it is no news that the
Yaba College of Technology, YCT, was founded during the colonial era. And some
of the college’s legacy still stands on today; one, being one of the foremost
places of studying Arts. The school had produced countless numbers of renowned
artists within and beyond of the shores of the country. People like Prof Yussuf Grillo, Dele Jegede, Jossy
Ajiboye, and Bruce Onabrakpraye to mention a few. Some had made indelible
marks in the fields of painting, Graphics, sculpting and other forms of visual
arts. Without under estimating the need
for a proper foundation in any of these Arts
divisions, today there seem to be a paradigm shift in the way Art is done all
over the world. Art as we know is always evolving and as we can see, most
modern arts are digitally handled today in today’s corporate world. In the
areas of advertisement and entertainment alone, millions of virtually created
imageries are projected every minute either on the internet or on the TV. And
that is why the power of the modern day computational devices cannot be
overemphasized. But it is also noticed that out of all the various Departments
in the School of Art, Design & Printing at Yaba College of Technology, it
is only the Graphic Design Department that is encouraging its students to make
a little bit use of the Computer technology for carrying out their assignments.
Now as an instructor, a pioneer in the field and the current HOD, do
you think that Art curriculum in our tertiary institutions in general is
adequate enough to prepare our student’s for the Modern day digital Art challenges
out there after graduation?
Answer: - That is a very challenging question but then according to
a Yoruba proverb, “Ode iwoyi lo n pa eran iwoyi”, meaning, it is the hunter of
today that will kill the animal of our time. That is, as things are becoming
more dynamic, a lot of us need to change our attitude too. The driver of the
system never stops, and that’s technology. Before now we used to have the
Machine revolution, later came the Information Technology and the Conceptual
space now we have the Cyber revolution. For example you can see that I just
confirmed my flight now on my tablet without calling anybody or leaving here.
So as artists we too must move with the trend. Even if you don’t know, as an
art teacher you must go and retrain yourself – i.e. retrain the trainer. And
that is the beauty of academics. You are not limited, you are not static, and
you are not stagnated. You thrive to be relevant in order to dominate, and if
you are willing to take the challenge you will continue to dominate.
Some people would like to make
everything appear as uncommon; they want people to believe that they are
special kind of people, as the Yoruba’s would say, “Akanda eniyan”. Believing
that what they can do others cannot accomplish? But that is a lie, God made everyone
the same, it is now left for you to carve out your niche and find your edge. If
you can carve that niche, then people will welcome your ideas, you will be able
to direct people, you will be able to lead, influence, innovate and be part of
the development in your community.
After all we were trained in an
era where there was only one computer in the whole community and we later moved
on. So we need to upgrade. More importantly, the higher institution should be
the last developmental stage for anybody, although not an end in itself, but a
means to an end. Education must begin to evolve and that doesn’t mean we cannot
go back to what we did in the 60s, but with better refinements. So education
must continue to evolve from time to time.
FNC: Thank you Sir. We also noticed
as an external observer that sometimes we may not be able to differentiate
between the assignments or projects done by students of Ordinary National
Diploma (OND) from those done by those in Higher National Diploma (HND) due to
the fact that most of their mediums of expressions are the same, Gouache, Oil, Acrylic, Clay, Wood, Metal and what have
you.
Answer: - First, as far as the projects are concerned, there are differences
in them. During my time we call it OND, that is, Ordinary National Diploma, not
ND, but it was well filled. Not that I am berating the present system now, but
projects of students in ND are expected to give you a skill that will take you
to a sub- managerial level, just in case you did not return for your HND it should be able to suffice you.
As I said earlier there are differences in these works that may not be very
visible to an outsider. ND is meant to prepare you if you decide not to return
for HND. But as you return, you are expected to specialize. I tell my HND
students when they return that they are now viewed as professionals.
Art teachers are meant to direct and guide,
not to teach, else the student s will not learn. For example I just did 14
colours myself and I gave my HND students an assignment of 8 colours to do. Those
students now will try to achieve that because they have seen that even 14
colours is possible.
Now going back to your earlier
question, art is all about talents and that is why sometimes that the work of a
ND student will appear to be better than a HND’s to an external observer. But
when we compare works of such ones with their HND counterparts, which are
specializing, they may lack some basic ingredients like, Composition, color
usage, Balance, Harmony, or even presentation, because they have not been
taught. And that is why my higher students are viewed as professionals
already. Even though you may not have
noticed, but that HND guy had some 5years input, the 2yrs ND, the 1year IT and
the 2yrs HND, so no matter how good the ND man may appear, he still has
something more to learn because he had just been deposited a 2 years experience
alone. So definitely there are some differences.
FNC: So that means these differences cannot be seen by an external
observer?
Answer3: - Yes. You know, art is
a very funny subject. It’s like
comparing a school cert holder or someone doing art at home with some one studying
Art in the school. Sometimes I will meet some people who will approach me and
tell me about how great or fantastic their Sons, Cousins, Brothers or Sisters is
when it comes to art. But when I take in such student, He/ She will begin to
learn everything afresh. And that is why art to the beholder is just like
beauty. Isn’t it funny too that a woman liked by someone might be despised by
the other. It is all about choices.
FNC: Let’s talk a bit about digital graphics. Today, for example, 3D
printing is no longer science a fiction. All over the world, this technology
has been cited by those in the manufacturing sector as the next level of
manufacturing.
We don’t mean to replace traditional art styles, but as a veteran
artist, don’t you think these areas needed to be explored in our higher and
other postgraduate studies, since students are expected to consolidate on their
previous knowledge there? Would it then one day be possible for students to
carry out their final projects using a Cintique, Tablet or a PC and digitally
produce a master piece that may be printed on any 2 or 3D surface?
Answer: Graphics today
encompasses many areas. Before now, it
used to be called visual communications, but now it is called media. For
example your computer lecturer will only teach you the basics; same applies to
your print making lecturer and others too. But when you get out into the real
labour market it is there you should be able to tackle real world challenges
because of all your simulated training here in school. For example what you are
doing today may not be exactly what you learn from school. But the training you
acquire there is still relevant. And that is exactly how art is.
When students do assignments they
do them in fear, fear of spoiling the work, the fear of criticism. But when one
is determined to be the best with constant practice it is possible.
FNC: Every session students all around continue to produce beautiful
Masterpieces either as assignments or as projects; only to be awarded marks in
return. For example I saw a beautifully done hand painted motif by one of the
students in the textile Department and I believe that such prototype should be marketable
for the Textile industry. What effort are you making to invite Art collectors
and other stakeholders in the industry as a whole to pick the interest and
regularly come into our institutions and buy some of the works at a discounted
price and for some to scout for upcoming talents and potential employee after
graduation? Or do you think that such
exercise would distract the students from concentrating on their studies?
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