I know what it means to be refreshed by continuous searching for knowledge, because this is where wisdom hides. An idea flows easily from an up to date artist than one who rely mainly on his talent. There is always that uniqueness in delivery, when education plays a major role in an artist life.”

This is a continuation of five-part interview of one of Africa’s avant-garde artists.

A Library and the Artist

The Ghandi’s memoirs and collections all got their deserved space conspicuously in one part of a three monster shelves, contesting for attention are also array of works from different writers and publishers such as Breaking the Jewish Code by Perry Stones, The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav, The Men’s Health: Hard Body Plan, The Power of Focus and many more, such as religious books and spiritual devotion publications on grace in self-meditation, and yoga lessons and benefits, aside entertainment magazines and tabloids such as Mode Men and OVATION magazines.

Adeola Balogun’s study is a comfort zone for mind developers and world influencers. In a beautiful world of his own, the artist presence and commanding attributes are visible so much in his library that also doubles as his head office. The study is an expansive room garnished with illustrious publications from serious to the mundane, they are also well arranged for any bookworm.

Day by day, he starts his day here after his ‘yoga’ practice, Adeola recoils into the library to run his daily itinerary. Teachers always learn twice. “Research, read and invest in yourself are part of my life philosophy and I keep telling my students year in and out. I just finished reading the “Americanah” a book written by Nigerian born novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, because I am the only person in the house that hasn’t read the work and when I came back from my trip, it was the first book I divulged.

I know what it means to be refreshed by continuous searching for knowledge, because this is where wisdom hides. An idea flows easily from an up to date artist than one who rely mainly on his talent. There is always that uniqueness in delivery, when education plays a major role in an artist life.”

The best graduating student in Yabatech in 1994, takes his students on a continuous soul searching expedition through participating and visiting art exhibitions, seminars and art workshops, in order to broaden their knowledge and have a wider scope on what the art business is all about. “Some of them come here on internship and to experiment on their own forms. They are always part of me all the time. I allow them to gain access to my library and study, because I was also given that opportunity” he explained.

To be continued
Interview /words /Ireho Aito /images /Adeola Balogun’s archives /Google