When Passion meets Creativity: An Exclusive Chat With Kriston Okama
How did you become a fine art artist? Where did you get your start?
I started before entering primary school that was 1985, because I remember back then that growing up before entering primary school from 84/85 you have to put your arm over your head and touch your ears. I remember back then if your hands can’t touch your ear, then you were not qualified to enter a primary school. So, I started before I went to primary school in 1985.
What year did you start taking art very seriously and what made you think that was the right time?
Okay. That was in 1995, because I had opportunity to meet with a white man from England. Then I was drawing and I realized that drawing was a source of income for me. I started traveling to most of the park in Benue state. The white man also took me to some churches around there where I drew the Jesus Image.
By 1997, I was an artist with coca cola where I was assisting with some rebranding that the company was doing. I worked there for three years. I had to leave them when I realized that art was the only source of my major breakthrough
What actually makes your work unique?
I have the spirit of excellence so I take my time, because I feel that anything you are doing is not you must think of the future. Just as the bible says: “the gift of a man maketh way for him, he said see thou a man diligent in his business he stands before king”. So anything you are doing even if you are not doing it well, put in your best, you don’t know who is going to see it. People call me a realist, I take my action, I spend quality time with my work even if I am not being paid well, because you don’t know who and who is going to see it.
When did you first start showcasing your work?
I started showing my work in 2010 when I came back from Lagos. But I remember that in my 3rd year in school, I had a studio where people came to see and buy my work. Some of my work have travelled outside the shores of Nigeria right from 2004.
However, one in a while I go off art but I always come back.
Has your journey as an artist been difficult?
It has, it has not really been easy I must say. I got to be honest especially in this country we are, people don’t really appreciate art. If you don’t have opportunity to go out for exhibition a lot of time, or if you don’t have connect, a lot of artist find it difficult.
It is even more difficult now that I paint at home, unlike when I had a place that people can come to. So it has really not been easy but by the grace of God, God has been faithful. I have my eyes now on some clients from Canada,
The most important thing is consistency, believe in yourself, and put in your best, keep working in your secret place and with God things will work out the way you least expected.
The most challenging thing in your way of expressing art?
The most challenging thing is that, sometimes you know funds contribute a lot, like when you are in need of something and you cannot lay your hands on it, and you turn around you see no body is willing. So the only thing I do is just trust God for the best. Talking about finance, art needs money to support it – to buy materials for work. Art also needs platforms to showcase one’s work. Thank God for people like you for giving those who would be coming into the picture a platform for us to sell art work we have in there.
What motivated you to go into fashion art?
Hmmm, that was a good one. You know I was a fashionist way back, because I was a model. I worked with Ovation magazine some years ago and I am the kind of person that likes creating styles for myself. When I was working in Coca-Cola in 1997, I used to customize my shirt and when people go attracted to my prints and my brand. This spurred me on so I started customizing my shirts and my shoes, belt, and when I discovered that people start appreciating it, I said okay, I need to take this to the next level.
Finally, over a three year period, I started doing it for other people as well – I customized for couples and my designs were loved.
