a. Who is Clara Aden?
Born on October 8, 1975 to Mr. Festus and Mrs. Catherine Adenugba. An indigene of odoojomu local government area in Ondo state, Nigeria. I grew up in the waterside area of Agboyi land in Alapere, Lagos where l had my primary and secondary school education. My father was a sound engineer and my mother is a fashionista. They are blessed with four children; omolara, olanrewaju, korede and Abosede.
b. How it all started?
My passion for drawing grew out of insatiable thirst to document, to analyse, to recreate and to comment on the world l live in, using figures to convey different messages.
I was in my kindergarten when l started creating art. In the past, female child exploring the world of art is regarded as peculiar and unusual. Mr. Ogunyemi, the proprietor of New city Nursery and Primary school in ketu, Lagos, told my mother that whenever I'm creating art, l should be encouraged. I started drawing by tracing figures from draw and colour pictorial textbooks, cartoon characters, just like today's artists redrawing the works of masters.
c. Challenges overtime till now
The challenges are numerous but l faced a particular challenge when l wanted to get a job after graduating from college. A publishing company call for art illustrator with realistic figurative techniques. I went for the interview. They told me the position was meant for a man. The production manager saw the zeal in me and told the employer to give me a chance.
d. Works histories credit to me
1. Suffering and smiling, charcoal pencil on canvas at United Nation information Centre during international day for eradication of poverty.
2. "Beautiful Nigeria" an acrylic illustration as backdrop for "12 Squares " performance at Goethe lnstitut Lagos.
3 Over 100 pencil illustrations for Soul publication limited, publisher of Hearts magazine.
4. Eddie Aderinmokun's portrait on cover page for its poetic book.
5."Red" 12 squares performance art at the roof top Goethe Institut Lagos.
6. The know Art Project, Slippery Rock University, United States of America.
e. Awards
Third place winner, 1999 UNFPA International poster contest.
Top five visual artists, Olokun festival foundation 2007
Third place winner, Art for Fela competition organised by Africa Art Resources Centre
The five best visual artists, National portraiture and Immortalisation 2010
f. Clara Aden Art studios at a glance
Location: agboyi ketu, Lagos.
Established in 2003. At Clara Aden Art studios, there are authentic visual artworks to meet our client's expectations and fit their budget. We believe that a piece of artwork should possess functional relevancy and not serve the purpose of decorative value alone. Art should serve as a means of information, education, documentation, inspiration, etc.
Mission: Using Art to make a positive change in our generation.
Life is full of possibilities and changes. I am influenced by the true significance of everyday life in which is seen through the eyes of an artist.
My drawings, mostly portraits and tells the stories of people whose traditions are fading into the past but not before l documents their existence in artwork, when you look at the subjects, you will see a variety of culture and people.
My drawings are unique, able to communicate and evolve strong emotions. Even a simple portrait of a child deliver impact that makes a viewer lingers as in the artwork "Not too old to dive".
I work in acrylic, oil and pastel but my principal medium of work is pencil and charcoal.
D.H. Lawrence says "the business of art is to revealed the relation between man and his environment".
I believe that the skills and techniques in the world are of little use unless you have something interesting to say about the world around you.
I look for gestures, images or thoughts that move or evolve my sense of observation. I see it with my artistic mind, have a brain storming session and start to lay it out.
I see artists who draws and paint on white cartridge paper and nothing else. There is nothing wrong with paper but experimentation and creativity with media, brings considerable advantage.
I have been drawing on canvas for over a decade now. Currently l am embracing textured surface canvas for drawing.
I tear apart packaging or things in the trash,newspaper cuttings or out of use traditional Ankara fabric print. I cut, tear and glue them into a drawing.
g. Who has great influence on you
My parents. My mother, from the time she gave birth to me till now. She demonstrated kindness, encouragement, compassion. My father taught me about life, making wise decisions and staying contented with what you have.
h. If l could do anything else, it will be Acting.
I. I believe that changing anything in the past, have positive or negative consequences in the future.
j. If l could have dinner with five famous people who would it be?
1. Queen Elizabeth ll of England
2. Babatunde Raji Fashola Governor of Lagos State.
3. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
4. R. Kelly.
5. Nelson Mandela
k. The happiness moment of my life where my talent is concerned
The first time l exhibits my artwork and the first time l sold my artwork.
My first exhibition was "Experience Nigeria" at National Museum Onikan, organized by Africa Art Resources centre. I sold my artwork for the first time at the "progressive feminism" at Aina Onabolu Hall, National Art Theatre, Iganmu, organized by Female Association of Female Artists.
l. Any saddest moment on your career so far
No, i have never had any sad moment where my talent is concerned.
m. How would you want to be remembered?
I will like to be remembered as someone making a positive difference in my country.
Connect with Clara Aden via email: claraaden@yahoo.co.uk ; telephone: +2348033203246 (Office hours, UTC+01:00)
