We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emmanuel Olaniyi Abiodun. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emmanuel Olaniyi below.
Emmanuel Olaniyi, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Creativity, for me, thrives in the rich soil of tradition and daily experience. I keep it alive by drawing inspiration from the oral traditions that shaped my worldview—proverbs, tales, and folklore that have been passed down for generations. These stories are not just narratives; they are living, breathing reservoirs of wisdom that help me explore the intricate connections between culture and art.
In my work, I often find that a simple proverb can spark an entire embroidery piece, weaving together threads of meaning in unexpected ways. The tales and folklore I grew up with are filled with symbols and metaphors, which I translate into visual form through yarn and fabric. But it’s not just the past that fuels my creativity; it’s also the happenings of daily life. A fleeting moment on a crowded street, a conversation overheard at the market, or the shifting light at dusk can all find their way into my work.
By anchoring my creative process in both the timeless wisdom of oral traditions and the ever-changing landscape of my environment, I’m able to keep creativity alive, vibrant, evolving, and deeply rooted in the essence of life itself.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Abiodun Emmanuel Olaniyi, but most people know me as Artbiodun. I’m a textile artist from Nigeria. I specialize in hand embroidery and yarn painting, which I use to create art that transforms everyday materials like fabric, threads, and yarn into vibrant, detailed pieces that tell stories.
What I find most special about my work is how it allows me to revamp the technique of hand embroidery and to incorporate elements of Nigeria’s rich traditions into my work. Whether it’s proverbs, folktales, or events from my culture, I love to stitch those stories into my art, making each piece not just visually striking but also deeply meaningful.
For me, the process of hand embroidery is almost meditative. Each stitch is like a part of a puzzle, slowly building something larger. I can spend hours, days, and sometimes months on a single piece, and I enjoy the patience and precision it requires. There’s something exciting about seeing how small details come together over time to create a work of art that feels alive. My embroidery and yarn paintings are often mistaken for actual paintings from afar, but when you get up close, you can see the textures in each stitch and layers of thread that bring a whole new level of depth to the piece.
What truly drives me is the storytelling aspect of my work. Art, for me, is about connecting with people, sparking emotions, and reflecting the world we navigate every day. Whether it’s a piece rooted in the richness of local proverbs or something more abstract, my ultimate goal is for you to feel something when you encounter my art.
I’ve had the privilege of showcasing my work in various exhibitions across Nigeria and the USA. Among my achievements, I won the Life in My City Art Festival award for Best Textile and Fashion. I’ve also collaborated with the Child Right Club and fashion brands, and I’m eager to explore more partnerships in the future. Lately, I’ve been pushing my creative boundaries, experimenting with abstract forms, and integrating mixed media into my work. It’s been an exciting journey, as I aim to break new ground and blur the lines between embroidery, yarn painting, and contemporary art.
What I’d love people to know about my work is that it’s not just about creating something beautiful; it’s about preserving culture, telling stories, and using my arts as a tool for social impacts. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the details, to slow down, and to see the beauty reflected in stories told through thread.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, I’d say the three most impactful qualities or skills that I have armed myself with have been patience, curiosity, and a deep connection to my cultural heritage.
Patience is huge, especially in a field like hand embroidery. Every piece takes time, and there are no shortcuts. Early on, I had to learn that great art doesn’t come from rushing; it comes from being present in the process, stitch by stitch. My advice to anyone starting out is to embrace the time it takes to master your craft. Don’t get discouraged if things feel slow at first. The more you practice, the more rewarding the results will be.
Curiosity has also been essential for me. I’m always eager to learn, whether it’s new embroidery techniques, new yarns, colour combinations, or even ideas from different art forms. It’s this willingness to explore that has helped me evolve as an artist. If you’re just beginning, I’d say never stop learning. Keep asking questions, experimenting, and pushing your boundaries. Sometimes, the most unexpected ideas lead to the most amazing breakthroughs.
Lastly, a strong connection to my culture has been a constant source of inspiration. My art is deeply rooted in the stories, proverbs, and traditions of Nigeria. This connection gives my work meaning and helps me stand out. For those early in their journey, I’d encourage you to look inward and explore what makes your voice unique. Whether it’s your background, your experiences, or your values, bring that into your work. That’s what will make your art authentic and resonate with others.
So, in short, be patient, stay curious, and stay true to who you are. Those are the qualities that will not only help you grow but will keep you inspired along the way.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Yes, I’m facing a few challenges right now that have really shaped how I approach my work. One of the biggest hurdles I’ve been dealing with is the physical strain that comes with my hand embroidery medium. It’s a painstaking process that demands a lot of time and long hours of sitting, and at some point, it started affecting my health. The repetitive nature of the work, combined with the prolonged sitting, began to take a toll on me physically. That was a wake-up call for me to reassess how I balance my creative passion with my well-being.
Another challenge I’m up against is access to the materials I need. My work relies heavily on yarn, but finding the right grades of colour has been difficult. The market here doesn’t always carry the full range of hues I need, and importing specialised yarn from other parts of the world is not as straightforward as you’d think. This has really limited my ability to fully explore the spectrum of colours I want to bring into my pieces. I’m constantly having to improvise or work around these limitations, which can be frustrating because colour plays such a huge role in how I tell stories through my art.
On top of that, the production process itself is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. Creating each piece requires not only skill but also endurance; there are moments where the work can feel overwhelming. Yet, despite all of these challenges, I still view art as a journey of self-discovery. Each obstacle teaches me something new about myself, about my process, and about what I’m capable of. What keeps me going is the belief that these challenges are part of the story my art is telling. They push me to adapt, to evolve, and to find new ways to express myself. And at the end of the day, no matter how demanding it gets, I always return to that deep connection I have with my work, knowing that every piece is a reflection of that journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbiodun/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Arbinibi/
- Twitter: https://x.com/artbiodun
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artbiodun
Image Credits
Abiodun, Emmanuel Olaniyi
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
