Sly Megida, A Nigerian based visual artist whose works feature, hyperrealism, abstract, shape drawings, fashion designing, art direction and more has shed more light on his profession.
In this interview with Daily Sun, Megida shares his career aspirations, challenges and future projects.
Can you tell us more about your work?
I show great enthusiasm for the sparkle and austere brilliance of oil on canvas. It has often been noted that my drawings contain underlying messages which I always try to pass across in my works. I see myself as a social observer who understands the fortuitous inevitable nature of mistakes, using variety of artistic languages to express the travails of human encounter and experience which creates a paradigm in the affairs of the world continually. Through the years I have developed a unique technique for my art, “I create as I speak” and my works are tantamount to that.
How do you get inspiration?
Well, my day to day activities as a social observer, and everything happening around the world inspires my creativity, basically my environment inspires me wanting to contribute my gift in making huge impact in our todays world.
Can you share some of the major works done?
Sure! Looking back at the past three years, I have been involved in several amazing projects and works. Some notable ones include “Obianuju,” “Smile,” “Zulu Woman,” “Alchemy,” and “Fearless.” Additionally, I have successfully carried out major projects such as the release of The Hustle Collection (THC) and organized the inaugural editions of Orange Lagos and Orange Abuja.
What are your aspirations?
As an artist, my aspirations are to establish a dominant presence in the African contemporary art market on a global scale. I aim to set a precedent of excellence and showcase outstanding talent that the world cannot ignore.
What are some of the challenges faced as visual artist?
Well, in Nigeria, there are several challenges that visual artists face. Firstly, the economic situation greatly affects us as the high inflation has led to soaring prices of art materials, making it difficult for artists to afford them. Another challenge is the limited platforms available to showcase our talents and creativity. That’
s why my team and I initiated the Orange project, providing young creatives with a platform to exhibit their works and talents as a foundation for their growth. Lastly, there is an issue with undervaluing artists, which is quite concerning. Artists put in tremendous effort, often equal to or more than other creative professionals, but they often receive less recognition and appreciation.
Can you recall an embarrassin
g moment encounter as an artist?
Haha! I have had a few embarrassing moments, but one incident stands out. I remember having to transport an artwork on a bike with my manager due to heavy Lagos traffic. To make matters worse, it started raining, and needless to say, it was not a funny situation at all.
Who do you look forward to drawing live?
That’s a challenging question because most of the people I would have loved to draw live are legendary figures who have passed away. However, if I had to choose someone currently alive, I would say Peter Obi. His character and values would make an excellent and impactful subject. His ideology of hope and his approach to various issues resonate with me and align with my personal beliefs.
How affordable are your Art Works?
Haha! I’ve had some difficulty answering this question in the past, so I need to be careful with my response. Considering the commercial system that Coke Spice operates on, my works can be quite affordable depending on what you’re looking for, whether it’s prints or merchandise. However, when it comes to my original works, they are generally priced based on the value I assign to them.
Are you planning at any exhibition any time soon?
Absolutely! Currently, we are actively working on the next Orange exhibition, which will take place in London. I’m very excited about it and looking forward to showcasing our art in that setting.