#25 Akintode Ayobamiwale (6wrld): On how architecture led him to art, letting art guide him when creating, and dealing with ASUU strike

Personally, I believe in letting the art I am making guide me. I don’t confine myself to an idea. I usually just start from somewhere and go with the flow until I get to a point where I feel and know

Jan 19, 2024

Hi👋 and Happy New Year! Phew, it’s a new year already. I know it’s been almost a year since you last heard from StudentsWhoCreate. I hope you have been creating, learning, making, and building things as the creative/creator that you are.

The truth is I didn’t plan for SWC to be away for this long but you know, life happened. A big thank you to everyone who checked in on StudentsWhoCreate - the emails and social media DMs, they meant a lot.

Also, a very big welcome to everyone who subscribed while I was away. Every time I get notified of a new subscriber, I am reminded of how important it is to come back. I hope you’ve been inspired by the stories we have published so far.

In the time I was away, a lot happened and I will be sharing more about that in the coming weeks, but until then, WE ARE BACK!!! Let’s get back to telling more stories of student creatives across campuses in Africa. There’s a lot in store for you. I hope you are ready!!!

(In the meantime, if you are interested in being a part of StudentsWhoCreate, now is a good time. StudentsWhoCreate is looking for a volunteer writer/storyteller to tell more stories of student creatives across Africa. This is to ensure that SWC doesn’t go on any more unplanned and prolonged breaks.

If you are interested, send an email with the title “Volunteer Writer/Storyteller” containing what you can do (your skills) and why you should be selected to studentswhocreate[at]gmail[dot]com. Looking forward to your application.)

Welcome to today’s episode of StudentsWhoCreate Interview. Our Student Creative for today is a 400-level student at The University of Lagos (UNILAG) studying Architecture. He is a visual and 3D artist who enjoys making art and exploring the art industry in Lagos.

How did he begin making 3D art? What is the biggest challenge he faces as a student creative? How does he navigate this challenge? How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact him? How does he stay creative? What keeps him going? Read and enjoy!!!

Hi, Thank you for speaking with us. Can we meet you?

My name is Ayobamiwale Akintode. I am currently a 400-level student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) studying Architecture.

I am a visual and 3D artist. I spend a lot of my time making art and exploring the art industry in Lagos—visiting galleries, and attending art events and exhibitions.

Outside of making digital art, I love playing football. My love for playing in midfield as a number 6 inspired my art name—6wrld.

Interesting!!! What led you to art?

I used to draw when I was younger—in primary school—but by the time I graduated from secondary school, I had stopped and only occasionally sketched things.

While I stopped drawing, my love for art didn’t stop. When I started using social media, I would consume and save a lot of art content but I never really thought of making art until I got into uni.

As an architecture student, I learnt how to do 3D visualisation to make 3D renders of buildings. After a while, I started posting these 3D renders on social media and would get a little buzz on my post.

During the lockdown, one of my friends reached out and asked me if I could make 3D renders of human models. I told him I couldn’t but I would love to learn if he knew how to. So, he introduced me to Daz 3D and Cinema 4D.

After I got introduced to the software, I became very interested and started to spend more time learning. I was drawn to it and started exploring and continued experimenting.

What has the journey been like since you started? How would you describe the journey in one word?

Enlightening.

How have you been able to combine school with pursuing your interest in art?

It’s ironic but I would say the strikes have been how I have been able to do more. I have more time during the strike because when school is in session, I spend more time being a student; attending classes and doing things students do. So I have more time for art when the school is on break or strike.

While these unnecessary strikes prolong my time on campus, I make sure to use them to try different things and further my interest in art since I don’t have control over the strike.

What are some of the challenges you face as a student creative?

The major one is financial. People usually want to pay less when they realise you’re a student. No matter how much I try to brand myself, once they realise I am a student, they try to shortchange me.

How have you been able to navigate this challenge?

I have learnt to stand my ground. I made a rate card to guide my prices. The whole experience has served as character development for me and I am learning to stand my ground. Sometimes, I need the money and I am tempted to take it but I know this is the time I can learn to stand my ground.

Are you a part of any creative community in your school?

No, I am not a part of any.

What is your creative process like? How do you go from an idea to the final result?

I usually start with an idea I want to execute. After deciding on the idea I want to work on, I open my laptop, launch the software and start to arrange the scene I have in my head. In that process, I get more ideas on the final details and just let the art guide me from that point.

Personally, I believe in letting the art I am making guide me. I don’t confine myself to an idea. I usually just start from somewhere and go with the flow until I get to a point where I feel and know that it is done.

What tools and software do you use?

Daz 3D and Photoshop are my must-use tools. I recently started using ZBrush. I also use Cinema 4D for animations.

How would you describe the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on you and your work as an artist?

The lockdown really gave me time to sit down and think. Before the lockdown, there was no time for that. The lockdown allowed me the space to explore. I developed and learnt a lot about myself during that period. And I was able to express myself through discovering art in that period.

The bummer was that I couldn’t see a lot of my friends. I lost touch with some of them because I wasn’t always on my phone but I am trying to build back those bridges.

Have you ever felt like quitting?

Yes

What led to that feeling?

I just got to a point where I was bored and wasn’t feeling inspired anymore. Nothing felt like a great experience.

How did you navigate that period?

I stopped making 3D art for a while and tried my hands on drawing. I also tried my hands on painting at some point. I eventually found my way back to making 3D art.

What is the favourite project you have worked on since you started making art?

It would be the “God Hand Collection”. It’s an NFT project I worked on in 2022. It took me about 6 months to make the 10 pieces included in the collection. It was an exercise for me to explore and see how I could infuse creativity into the same composition. I was able to sell just one of the 10 pieces but I am happy I made it. (Funny story: My laptop almost got fried while working on the project.)

How do you stay creative?

Going out and touching grass [interacting with people] helps a lot. Taking a walk, playing football and doing non-art things that takes me away from sitting in the front of my laptop and forcing myself to create. Doing this helps me come back with fresh ideas.

What do you do for fun? How do you relax when you're not actively creating?

I play football. I listen to a lot of music too. Some of my guys make music and I love being around them in the studio when they are making music. I enjoy the whole ambience around the studio when they are making music.

I also like cooking, gaming and binge-watching shows.

Who are the people that inspire you?

Niyi Okeowo, Z4HIR, Anthony Azekwoh, Dricky, and Straffitti.

Who is that one creative you would love to work or collaborate with on a project?

Hajime Sorayama.

What brands would you love to work with?

Adidas Yeezy and Casablanca.

What advice do you have for someone just starting their creative journey?

Just start and you will figure things out along the way.

Who would you like us to interview next?

Toyosi Oshadiya and Al Raheem Great.

How can people reach you?

You can connect with me and see my work on Instagram.

Thank you for sharing with us!!!

Ayobami will be exhibiting his art at EMERGING EXPRESSIONS - THE UNDERGRADUATE ART FAIR curated by Creath from 23rd - 24th February 2024 at the Mad House Gallery, Lagos.

Visit www.emergingexpressions.art for more info.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to share the story.

See you next time!!!

StudentsWhoCreate