Meet Brahms Oluwaseun Animasaun | Visual Artist, Fashion Designer, Fashion Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brahms Oluwaseun Animasaun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brahms Oluwaseun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria was tough. I’m quite certain that’s the story for most adults born in the 90’s, who came from lower middle class backgrounds. By consequence I had a checkered upbringing, which easily impacted my experiences and perception of life.

So for years until I was 19 (I think), I lived in a downward spiral of unanswered questions; wondering why life worked the way it worked in the part of the world, where I’m from. This aching curiosity informed my opting for the sciences (that’s aside all the overarching sociocultural/socioeconomic factors of course). Yet answers eluded me.

In between these things, I always had a corner; a place in my mind where I would find all the warmth I needed, shielded from the buffeting winds that my present reality levelled against me. I didn’t really know what art was at the time, so it was just drawing.

When things got really dark in my life and I had one or two suicidal episodes. My mum, as an intervening measure, had to confide in someone, who introduced her to a professional artist, who then asked me to come over to his studio for a few weeks.

I got to his house on a wet morning, he was quite engaged with something else when I got there and handed me the keys to his studio, then he said “just a take a familiarisation tour of the studio”.

I hurried downstairs to the said studio, turned the keys. When the door opened, all the possibilities that were once enshrouded from me burst forth before my eyes. Suddenly, the whole of my life was entrapped in that revelatory enrapture. All the questions, I’ve always had about myself… about life, started to have answers. That was how I knew, this was supposed to be life after all.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I tend to be more of an explorer when it comes to my art and creative vocations. I like to see myself as a man on a journey towards fulfilment. Hence every skill or know-how I’ve gathered over time, have all been purposeful tools towards the realization of that fulfillment.

I for instance got into the fashion business as a Fashion illustrator, while I was still taking art classes. Besides the other reasons I got into it, I ventured into because I realized that I just started making clothing sketches out of the blue. Somewhere in the universe of my mind, I just knew a portal had been opened and I needed to follow through with it. My then girlfriend introduced me to someone, who was an excellent tailor and we kicked off a tiny brand somewhere in Lagos mainland.

So from art direction, to graphics, to styling, to being an instructor and even interior design. It has always been about the journey. The ability to explore these channels to learn more about myself, learn more about people, learn more about life.

By consequence my art has been shaped by these experiences, mostly because I like to deal with intersections and overlaps. It the one reason I don’t really pander to styles or movements in art, although some have categorized my art as a cross between abstract expressionism and post modernism, I just know I like to dig deep.

All in all, I’m grateful for the journey so far. I’m nowhere near where I really want to be, but by each waking breath I feel my self closer. This journey has brought me some encomiums far beyond my expectations, has brought me some of the best people our contemporary society has to offer, has also brought me some of the worst.

I simply want to be remembered as the one who left the world a little better than he met it. That my life’s work would inspire people to know that aspiring to be the best, the richest or whatever superlative vanity we bleed ourselves for these days, is nothing compared to simply living for the next person, or living to make life better for the next person. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

Okay this is a tough one, because I hardly go out (Lol). But then, there are a few places I do enjoy, like Umar’s place, our local Suya man. “Suya” is simply the indigenous name for grilled beef or steak. He serves it in assorted variety and spices it well with “Yajin Daddawa” (locally made ground pepper). It’s a true delight. Then there’s Pappie’s Meatro, a very cosy restaurant with cool music and delicious food.

Then we’ll head over to Caleb’s Sharwama, at Kubwa, where they serve the best goat meat Sharwama in Abuja! They hands down, have mastered the art of making spicy, well creamed, evenly baked shawarma. So, yeah we’ll spend worthy time there exploring other stuff on their menu. The National Park Service Headquarters is another stop we will definitely be having. Commissioned in 1991, as the government’s initiative for the conservation of wildlife, free from human exploitation and occupation. Here we’ll find various animals and plants, and even a place for the display of historical facts as well as artifacts. The last time I was there, my favourite sight were the giant tortoises! I had never really known how much I had underestimated their size until my experience with them. It was thrilling. 

After this we would have to drop by at Maitama to savour the heavenly taste of “puff-puff”. I heard somewhere it that it is a delicacy imported from our sister country, Ghana. Whichever way, it is by far one of the most flavorsome west African snack, hardly rejected by anyone. The one they serve at Mama T’s spot is just glorious. Your taste buds would be grateful. Let’s just keep it that way. 

Then we’ll have to visit the Nike Art Gallery at Piwoyi. By far one of the most reputable art galleries in Nigeria. A visit there is a treat for the soul, as you’ll find some of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists represented there, as well as works of veteran artists. We could pick one or two locally made “Adire” fabrics and have some beads and accessories to complement it (I could definitely help whip up some sweet designs before you leave).

There are many sites and places of interest, I’ll love for you to see, but I fear you may never want to leave Nigeria again. So we’ll just head home and treat ourselves to a warm shower and glasses of chilled locally made hibiscus flower juice known as “Zobo”. 

You’re welcome, I know you’ll add Abuja, Nigeria to your next vacation bucket list next year. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

First, would be my parents, Mr & Mrs Animasaun. Without whom I won’t even have the flame to be the brand of man I am now. Then there’s my siblings, Titiloluwa and Sarah. Who have always been gallant companions. My fiancee Chinonye is another person I don’t think I can jot the annals of my existence without, she’s my ever abiding pillar. My Aunts, Mrs. Fola Animasaun and Mrs. Derinsola Adebiyi are another huge source of support I couldn’t have gotten this far without. 

There’s also Dele George Agbezin, that man unhusked the intricacies of art to me, I owe him a lot. I can’t forget the Somotuns, who absorbed me when I was in dire need. They’re really great folks. Then there’s of course Folajimi, a really great guy. A robust creative.

I’m also grateful for folks like Ifeanyi Orji of Zaddiz clothing, you need people like that who believe in you, come what may. Then, I don’t think I’ll close this part properly without mentioning the Ejoors, they easily make solid the fact that exhibiting all the beauties of humanity hardly has anything to do with geography or tribe. They’re just beautiful people.

I’ve been privileged to meet some of the best people in my little journey, who have contributed immensely to person I am now and the person I’m becoming that’ll love to mention here, but I wouldn’t want to exhaust my readers now, would I?

So I’m just a grateful diamond. A diamond in the rough.

I’m Brahms Oluwaseun Animasaun. Visual Artist, Fashion Designer, Illustrator, Interior Designer. 

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Image Credits
Brahms Animasaun