OSAZE AMADASUN- DOCUMENTING AFRICA THROUGH CREATIVITY

July 20, 2020
IMPART FAIR

Osaze Amadasun is an artist of creative elasticity whose artistic medium cuts across drawing, painting, illustration and graphic design. Osaze first trained as an Architect graduating with a Bsc. in Architecture in 2014 and went on to receive a Masters degree in environmental design in 2016, both from the University of Lagos. He is also the creator of the Bini Playing Cards. Inspired by culture, Bini Playing cards pay homage to the ancient kingdom of Benin & its classical works of art. In this episode of the Pink Bench, Osaze speaks to us on how we can document Africa through creativity.

 

IMPART FAIR

Osaze Amadasun speaking with guests at his booth at IMPART 2019

 

Why is it important for Africans to tell our own story?

Because no one (Foreigner) will tell your story for you & in cases where they (Foreigners) do, there is the tendency to misinterpret / leave out certain important events in their version of the story.

 

How truly relevant is the African story and are creatives getting any closer to having a say on how the African story and history is told?

Honestly, I think all stories are equally relevant (African, European, Asian, e.t.c), I don't think one is more relevant/important than another. Yes, I believe creatives truly have a say in how the African story is told. Social media has been a major catalyst for this movement. Now, it’s so easy for creatives (in music, dance, visual art etc.) to tell their own African story and put on social media, reaching a wider audience than they could have in the past.

 

What impact does being African have on your creative practice?

I draw inspiration first from my immediate environment. The art, people, music, & culture I have experienced here have all influenced the work I create one way or another.

“I draw inspiration first from my immediate environment. The art, people, music & culture I have experienced here have all influenced the work I create one way or another.”

Bini Playing Cards

 

What are the major challenges you face as an African creative working with African themes?

Documentation, Certain aspects of African history weren't documented. This makes it difficult to get accurate data when working on certain projects as one may have to rely only on oral tradition (which has various accounts depending on the person telling the story).

 

IMPART, an intersection of the most diverse art and innovative technology in Africa highlights the growth of the African creative sector and places it in the global discourse. IMPART, an intersection of the most diverse art and innovative technology in Africa highlights the growth of the African creative sector and places it in the global discourse.In a bid to democratize and raise the value of African art, IMPART connects emerging and established artists directly with buyers and collectors from different parts of the globe. IMPART is an initiative of Lasmara Ltd.

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