We had the good fortune of connecting with Janet Adegoke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janet, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For the past 4 years, my work-life balance has been unstable but not necessarily in a negative way. In 2020, there was the COVID pandemic which shut down the world. We all had a lot of time to sit and reflect as regards a lot of issues. I didn’t create much art between March 2020-July 2020 but I spent a lot of time reflecting on my artistic process and what I wanted my art to speak about.
I collated a lot of ideas to explore and also drafted a mental blueprint of the steps I wanted to take when things finally got back to normal.

I was a teacher at that time so school was closed and I had more time on my hands. I resigned from the teaching job in December 2020 and spent the next 9-12 months creating art pieces. I could not balance my teaching with my art so I had to pick one.

In early 2022 I got a hybrid job which gave me more flexibility but I could not combine art and my work equally. In the middle of 2022, i got a fully remote job and this gave me more stability.

It has not been easy achieving a work-life balance but I am definitely in a better place than I was in 2020.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I took up my art professionally in 2020 during the pandemic. It was a tough decision for me; I was so unsure and full of doubts and had serious imposter syndrome.

I didn’t have enough money to get my art materials, I had to save up to get them.
The house I rented was not conducive in any way.

There were a lot of reasons/excuses I would have  used as a placative to give up. I am proud of the fact that I took the bold step and ventured out despite the odds.

It took a lot of determination and consistency to get to where I am, I spent most of 2020 creating portfolio pieces it was a huge sacrifice as regards time and money but it was worth it.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far on my art Journey is- “You don’t have to wait for conditions to be perfect, Just start and everything will align”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Ibadan, Oyo state of Nigeria.

I would take my friend to venturra mall where we could play arcade games and see a movie.

I would take my friend to “The hub eatery” an amazing place located in shoprite, Dugbe.

I would take my friend to the Ibadan golf course and to Agodi garden.

I would take my friend to see the exotic animals in the zoo located in the University of Ibadan.

I would take my friend to the Arrenheim gallery to see the artworks on display.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shout-out to the KUTA art institution of Abeokuta, Nigeria. they have served as a safe haven for creatives. I would also love to give a shout-out to my art instructor and mentor Aralolaoluwa Oladeinde. He pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and become a better artist.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/janet_temitopee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-adegoke-aa871619a

Other: http://www.saatchiart.com/janetadegoke

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