Meet Victoria Makinde | Painter
We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Makinde and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
As an artist i am inspired by things around me, works of artists and great masters, personal life experience; whenever I hold a painting brush all I wanted to do was to let go of all inner tension and be free, painting life the way it is. I am also inspired by the resilience and strong will exhibited by some great black women artist in the art industry women like Njideka Akunyili Crosby, laura Wheeler Waring, Alma W. Thomas, Gwendolyn Knight, Faith Ringgold, Emma Amos, Amy Sherald, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Jennifer Packer among many others. Attending exhibitions and art talk shows has also made me to widen my thoughts outside my point of view. My choice and direction in life as an Artist has been able to keep me on this path nonetheless of the undeniable struggles, these dreams of mine keeps coming alive into something and everyday I feel special and I know for certain that life’s worth a living. This is my own reality, we must embrace our reality for there’s no other way to happiness and self admiration.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination through a physical medium. I could remember vividly how I got so much interested in art as a child and also back in my primary and secondary school days I would pick up any comic book or books with pictorial illustrations then I will try drawing out the images exactly as it, through that I became popular and loved among my mate, teachers and senior students. My secondary school fine art teacher Mr busari would say “you are going to make a fine and a great artist“. As a practicing and professional artist who likes exploring different mediums and styles, I have practiced with various mediums like charcoal pencil,oil color, oil/chalk pastel and gold leaf. I’ve had couples of exhibitions and still on the journey of self discovery so far as an artist. I started art professionally after my college education.
i started to see art not just as a fun work or college assignments but as a great medium to share my story with the world and people around me. After my industrial training I was more exposed to the world of art. I was able to meet artists and great masters, some who are now my close friends. My art shades around love in all aspect, my works are a way of me finding solace in my inner self telling myself never to quit, to keep moving without looking back, I am proud of my journey so far and where I am currently. it hasn’t been an easy road but it all payed off, being a creative there is always a knot to lose, a phase to unfold and I believe all this has mold me to be the kind of person I am today, I have learnt so far that good things comes with hard work, consistency and being able to move out of my comfort zone. At times I experience creative block while painting, creative block is whereby when one is stuck in a process in terms of what to do next and ideas to work on. When this happens I take a break, research more and observe on what next. My works are for the general world of those who sees, feels connected and resonate with the pieces, no matter the skincolor or person. I try as more possible best to engage my audience on social medias like instagram by promoting, posting, making video reel because as an artist social media is also a tool that binds us to the other world making us to be seen and heard. I am on the look out for open art calls, art residency in a good and reputable gallery as this also helps pushing and exposing artists who takes art as a long life career. What has set me apart from others is the the way I rendered my art using colors mundane enough to represent love in my works, colors such as; Rose red, yellow, blue, green, purple and all other love related colors and the ability to keep pushing, to keep believing, to keep trying to be the best version of myself. I want the world to know that love owns it all, that having love or to be loved make one happy and self worthy just as how important is the air we breathe. I therefore express myself through painting the opposite of the kind of love I grew up experiencing, I paint mostly female figures because I have found it more interesting and intriguing. seeing how women tend to cope and survive during hardship.
The expressions of my subjects are quite docile yet compelling as to the human reaction to true love and encounters of the emotions that comes after. Women plays an important role in the family and the society at large. My works are also a way of telling the world that women deserves more than just being tied to the kitchenette roles. the society needs to give more accolades and
acknowledgment to the achievements of women. They are the keynote to breeding a perfect home and family. Art in this direction has helped in the gradual healing process from my childhood traumas “A therapy” and also a navigator into looking forward to the kind of life I actually want as an individual.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love attending exhibitions and many other shows about Art and creativity in Lagos. Mostly on my usual days when I want to pass away time, I love visiting Artist friend studios who I also draw inspirations from, Artists like; Samson Bakare, Oyekale segun, Obilala and Joshua Olanrewaju. I love to see their working process and I really appreciate and value their mastery a lot tho our kind of Art are far from each other but still I enjoy being around them in their times of creation and practice it’s really interesting being around them. Another place I love to visit is the beach, I love the sight of the blue sea, the serene environment as it makes me feel life in a different way, it’s such a rasp experience of nature. 
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thanks to God for his guidance and unending grace. Shoutout to my family for their support and effort so far, my elder sisters, friends like E.d Adegoke, Amba enighe, Roselyn labazachy, Mr Akinola my tutor, yeku and those who have stood by me in one way or the other.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/oyin_crimson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Image Credits
Abifola Olorunlana
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
