Meet Joseph Edgar Olusola, a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist based in Queens, New York, whose work focuses on the beauty and complexity of multiple identities. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and now living in the U.S., his work addresses several themes around his culture, identity and childhood.
ADUNI : How is life in New York as a creative ?
New York is nice, very cool. It feels like Lagos.I was so surprised, there are so many black people there. It's like Lagos, Lagos is a creative city, when you want to be serious about your music, art, you go there. It's the same vibe, plus the Nigerian scene is very present in New York. Most of my friends are nigerians creatives.
ADUNI : Can you tell us more about your childhood ? When did you realize that you wanted to make art ?
When I was in high school, I used to make art every day. I was drawing since 3rd Grades, everyone in my family knows that i wanted to go to an art school. In Nigeria, when I told Physics teacher that i wanted to go to an art school she said " hmm does your dad know that ?". I said, "yes he's cool with that". Art and school were like a gateway with that. I was obsessed with drawing, with art, it helped me a lot.
ADUNI : Did you feel like you were the black sheep of your family ?
Kind of. Nigerians go to America but also to the UK to have a higher education. They study law, finance, social studies. So, when I said that i was going to the USA to study Art some people were surprised. For my family I wasn't really the black sheep because my dad was also a black sheep, let's say i'm "an extra-black sheep" because I went to America to pursue my dream. I feel like no one really understand me, but it's fine, it's still vibes.
ADUNI : I’ve noticed that we can definitely see a cultural impact in your art, who are your inspirations ?
Fela Kuti paintings were one of my inspirations. I remember in Highschool, I used to have huge painting, it was a reference to Fela Kuti's album. I wanted to represent it in my own way, it was my vision on things. I have some artistic mentors that I look at. I look at Basquiat a lot. I’m always rewatching his movie…When I see his art I’m like : he’s doing what I want to do too well. You know, when you see a painting and you’re thinking “I wish I’ve made that stuff”. It’s the same with him. The freedom of holding the pigment in your hands, he was always drawing, have a canvas in his studio”. He was doing raw creativity, I’d love to do that.
Kerry James Marshall is also one of my inspirations. He’s in the Top 5. Kerry James Marshall for color and composition. He’s the master of composition. Every mark is intentional and playing his role the best.
For videography, I like Arthur Jafa. I saw his art and I thought this is also very much me. The collages of the images, the maximalism, saying something without talking a lot…I like it.
ADUNI : We saw one of your videos about hair, what was your thought process when you did that ?
It was in high school, I was trying to do something new, it was experimentative. The process is I have like an archive, and photos, and i screen record my laptop. I make a composition all the pictures. I try to go with the vibe. If you try to do too much, you end fighting the work. I try to silence my own ego and listen to the vibe. It's a balance of going with the flow and communicate something with my past.
ADUNI : I’ve noticed some references to the Fluxus movement in your art, can you tell us more about this movement?
It's so interesting, I was taking further concept, and I was recording on my iPad, and going anywhere. I had this audio of my mom saying prayers in yoruba. I recorded it, I ended up performing with this audio.
ADUNI : The thing that I like with the Fluxus movement is the fact that you are your own artist. If I want it to be art, it will be art. You Don't need any confirmation.
Yes ! Everyone has a creative bone, you can exercise this creative bone, it's like a muscle. The more you try to be creative, the better you get at it. Some people are born with it , but I Believe that it's all about expressing yourself. Singing in the shower, how you do your hair...It's art. It's simple, you just must work on this creative bone.
Last question, can you advice us , a book , a movie and an album ?
Ouh that’s a though question ! A book I would say Last day in Lagos by Marilyn Nance. It’s a book that documents FESTAC 1977, FESTAC 1977 is a festival in Lagos, it’s like a festival similar to a family reunion with all the people from the diaspora.
It only happened one time, but it was such a beautiful event. It’s like a photobook, and you have an interview with the photographers.
A movie…Watermelon woman, and Black Orpheus.
An album : Sundial by Noname. People sleep on Noname, they shouldn’t.
ADUNI & JOSEPH OLUSOLA EDGAR.