You are considered Nigeria’s premier speed painter. Will you be the first in this?
I wouldn’t say I’m the first. I’m sure there have been others before me. I think what that really means is that my work stands out in some way. On top of that, I speed-painted to heights that no other speed-painter in Nigeria could.
What exactly is speed painting?
An artistic style in which an artist creates a work of art in a very short amount of time. When an artist does it to a crowd and injects movement or fancy fast strokes into her work, or in my case painting an image upside down, it can be considered a performance her painting.
What other art styles do you do?
I work as a modern hyperrealist and paint with charcoal and graphite here.
Is there a medical connection with speed painting?
yes, I have. I use my art to raise awareness about medical conditions, especially in the field of dermatology. Art is a powerful tool for sending messages and communicating with individuals and different races, cultures and backgrounds. Many would argue that doctors find little time for entertainment, but you seem to do it differently with painting.
How can you keep things working without letting the two sides of your life collide?
I wouldn’t call my art entertainment. that’s my profession. Yes I have two professions. I am just as passionate about healthcare as I am about art, so I can keep doing both. Also, I plan my time effectively, so there is no basis for the two to clash.
How did your journey into speed painting begin?
It started when I painted during a school event at the 400th level of the University of Lagos Medical School. The reaction I got from the audience when I finished made me want to do more, and that was the beginning. I started moving from show to show, just looking for different platforms to exhibit my work.
did you commercialize it?
I get paid for every speed painting I do. It is an industry in its own right, and like all other performing arts, it is highly lucrative.
Do you exhibit your work?
Yes, it is. I have exhibited in different countries around the world including Nigeria, USA, UK, Italy, Spain and Germany. We are also planning an exhibition at the Art Pantheon in Onil, Lagos in October 2022.
What kind of things do you draw: people, objects, or simple abstractions?
I mainly deal with people.
Which of your paintings do you think is the most important and why?
I’ve been doing so many things, and I actually consider them all so important, but off the top of my head, I’ve got the aptly named Resilience I and IN THE ARMS OF MORPHEUS 2 I can cite one work. I remember many people bidding at the same time when these works were put up for sale.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from everything around me, my daily interactions with people, and seeing and hearing what is happening around me.
Have you always wanted to be a doctor or is it a means to an end?
I remember being called a doctor when I was in elementary school. I think it just grew on me.When it came to choosing a course to study, I chose medicine and surgery.
what is your area of expertise?
I am not yet qualified as a resident doctor, but I have a particular interest in dermatology and surgery.
Why?
This is because I know my hands are very stable and reliable, and I love working with skin, whether it’s art, hospitals, or surgery.
Do your patients still want you to treat them when they find out you’re a painter at night?
Many of my patients don’t even know who I am. But who absolutely loves the level of care and professionalism I put into my work,
Will you continue to be a doctor, or will you eventually quit and focus on drawing?
I will definitely continue to be a doctor and an artist.
You run a project called Skin Positive. what is it all about?
Many people fall victim to society’s ideas of what their skin should look like. There are many unrealistic ideas about what kind of skin people are comfortable with. This has led to low self-esteem, depression, and many people using products that are extremely harmful to their skin, all with the goal of achieving “perfect” skin. My Skin Positive Project aims to encourage people, regardless of skin type, to love themselves, boost their self-confidence, and reduce the stigma associated with many visible skin conditions. .
What affected you?
It all came out of conversations with my patients. I got to see a side that most people don’t see. How people have to deal with constant stares, endless questions and pecks. I really wanted to do something to help more people who I know are going through the emotional and psychological trauma of having a specific skin problem.
What is your story behind the FolaDavid Foundation?
The FolaDavid Foundation was born out of a love for healthcare and the arts.
How would you rate your foundation’s impact on society?
We conducted free medical activities in different parts of Nigeria and were able to reach over 5,000 people. Our creative projects have established visual development centers in Nigeria and South Africa. We help children in different cities develop their talents in the visual arts and provide a platform to expose their work to the world. The South African National Lottery Commission (NLC) has provided a $25,000 annual grant for just that. We plan to bring this to many other African countries. I remember telling myself a lot when I started my journey as an artist.These centers help meet that challenge by giving children from different communities access to tools, mentorship and a platform of expression to create a community of young emerging artists.
How has it grown for you?
Growth was pretty good. I was a very good student and that was the center of my life. I didn’t start living until I entered college and started painting.
What do you think has shaped who you are today?
The people I met along the way, how they lived, and how they achieved success had a great impact on me.
What philosophy do you live by?
It doesn’t matter how slow you move as long as you don’t stop.
How do you release the steam?
I love watching movies! I have also acted in two movies. His one of them is called his SYMPHONY and will be released on September 9, 2022.
Unlike many of your colleagues who think leaving Nigeria for greener pastures is the only way to survive as a Nigerian, why aren’t you going that route?
I will definitely pursue residencies abroad in the fields of medicine and the arts, but this is to return to Nigeria and acquire the skills necessary to help build my country, Nigeria.
Do you think the federal government is solely responsible for the mass exodus of doctors and other medical personnel from the country?
The medical problem in Nigeria is very complex. There are many layers of negligence and incompetence that require more than the federal government to solve.
The health minister once said something about considering a law requiring doctors to sign a pledge to work in their country for a certain number of years before they are free to leave the country. what do you think about this?
Currently, the University Teachers Union (ASUU) has been on strike for nearly six months. We’re talking about a country where you can almost guarantee that the graduation year you expect to enter college is not your actual graduation year. The government should consider making things better for doctors here, rather than opting to force them into a system that makes it even worse for everyone.
