INTERVIEW: MEET OMOJOLA EMMANUEL; RENOWNED SCULPTOR ARTIST IN NIGERIA

Omojola Emmanuel Kehinde has carved out a niche for himself in the sculpting sector, where he has established quite a reputation.

Omojola Emmanuel Kehinde specializes in plaster craft artists, pop ceiling production and installation, water fountain and falls columns, home painting decorations, parapet production and installation, and interior/ exterior decorations.

Omojola discusses how he began a professional path in sculpturing, his obstacles, the journey thus far, and how he has managed to become the finest in the field of sculpting in Nigeria and beyond in an interview with RNN.NG.

Can we meet you, sir?

Omojola Emmanuel Kehinde

I’m Omojola Emmanuel Kehinde, and I was born on June 30th. I’m a twin with a twin brother, and we come from a family of five. I was born and raised in Kwara State, although I am from Ekiti State.

Could you tell us a little about your background?

I went to St. Joseph Nursery and Primary School, then St Anthony Secondary School, and then Ilorin College of Education, where I studied fine and applied arts.

Thank you very much, Sir. Can you tell us about how you started your journey into sculpturing?

My adventure began in the fine arts studio of my secondary school, where I was trained by Mr. Bolakale Ahmed, my fine arts instructor, who taught me modelling and sculpting and how to design images beginning in secondary school, and I have been able to copy and memorize designs since then.

I began clay and modelling gradually in the early 2000s, when I went to visit my teacher at his home, where I was an apprentice at the time, and saw a beautiful design, well ornamented in my teacher’s living room, and I fell in love with the designs, and wanted to know if I could do the same, and achieve the same results.

Can you tell us about the difficulties you’ve encountered in this field?

The reality is, there are few artists in this sector, and I am confident that I am among the greatest in the field of architectural ornamentation production.

I met Mr Soyinka Solu, the founder and director of xqzit Ornaments in Ijebu Ode, a few years after I began sculpting. He became my mentor and taught me things I didn’t know then.

Omojola Emmanuel at work

We started with a shortage of proper materials and tools, but we kept improvising and, despite the obstacles, we were able to compete with foreign artists.

Fields, flowers, and ornamental components are mostly imported in sculpturing.

I made the decision to start making my own, and today I have my own production studio.

He stated, “I’m not there yet, but not where I used to be,” adding, “It was a hard start, but it’s getting better.”

What advice do you have for anyone who wants to venture into this field?

Be Patient, be focused, and be determined

You can follow @Orjorornamentzmouldings on Instagram for additional information, or visit them physically;

Lagos, Onike Iwaya is the location. Yaba Lagos, No. 18, Gbeto Street

OMOJOLA EMMANUEL KEHINDE’S WORK

Emmanuel Omojola’s Works