‘creatives Dont Compete’ Says Ismaila Rufai, the Conceptual Artist Fusing Fashion With Culture

The African conceptual art scene is distinguished by a diverse group of artists who interpret and capture socioeconomic realities, political challenges, rich traditions, and diverse beauty.

The idea behind the work is more important than the finished art object. It emerged as an art movement in the 1960s.

THI’s correspondent spoke with Ismaila Rufai, a young Nigerian conceptual artist who is fusing fashion with culture.

1. Tell me a little about yourself, your childhood, where you live and how you started in the craft of photography

My name is Ismaila Rufai undergraduate studying telecom engineering in ahmedu bello university..no too much history on my childhood but I know I had a tough childhood cause of parents state at that point currently living in kuje Abuja and my craft started off at 2016 when I started loving colours I fell really deep for art and I started training though no sufficient equipment but I made best with the little I’ve got

2. What type of photography do you do and where do you get the inspiration for your work?

well I do mostly conceptual art and as well fashion paired with culture that falling back to where am from..I don’t really have people I look up to i just sit and write out my concepts and try to bring them to life

3. We hear the challenges of not being able to earn enough money while being photographers. Is it easy to be a photographer in Nigeria? What kind of obstacles do you run into?

In Nigeria compared to lot of state out there feel it difficult to make money why there is alot of talented photographers even if the pay isn’t so much competition is high and the Community as well believe it irrelevant to some point unless u meet the few that are enlighten to the concept of art the obstacles I’ve experienced here is Creatives here experience extortion I mean not so long I got assaulted even broke my right arm cause I didn’t sort the person guarding a location as he claimed location that no one owns it really sad this are the few obstacles I’ve experienced so far

4. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?

I love it that just it and I feel I can change the world with it

5. What is the most difficult part of being a photographer for you?

The lack of equipments aside that I think am good

6. What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the urge to create and the excitement I get looking at people commenting on my work

7. What does photography mean to you?

Everything

8. What do you like most about being a photographer?

The ability to express myself

9. How do you educate yourself to take better photos?

I try my best to get everything right and embrace failure and take good corrections

10. Do you think talent for photography is something a person is born with?

I doubt I just feel consistency is key it beats talents

11. How important is Photoshop in your final images?

Not so important

12. What type of gear do you shoot with and which one is your most favorite one?

I have just my 55-200 lens and my cam with my phone and am good to go. All is my favorite

13. If you were to given an opportunity to warn your readers of potential pitfalls of photography, what would they be?

Be yourself build ur audience and don’t compete like I normally say “creatives don’t compete”