Meet David Sumanu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Sumanu . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi David , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I remember when I was a kid, age 5 to 8 I wasn’t really a bright student and I find it hard to understand why I couldn’t do or get to know what my brilliant friends can do. It was really hard for me to understand the value of their brilliance. They were different in their paths and I was also different in mine, the only thing I could do and nobody in the class could beats me on, was in drawing. It was an easy scheme for me when it comes to that aspect of drawing and art, from there people around me see something in me, most especially my family. I remember when I said I want to become a visual artist, they all laughed and said what’s that?, because at that particular period being an artist was one of the last thing people could think of. I saw a purpose there, I saw an elevation of value in me, even though I wasn’t that brilliant but ‘art’ brought me out and gave me the purpose of my brilliance.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My full name is David Ifeoluwa Esheovo Sumanu. I’m a Nigerian, hailed from Akoko Edo local government, Igarra in Edo state, Nigeria. I was born in Ogun State, the Western part of the country in 27th of March, 2000. I am a Visual Artist, an HND graduate of Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.

One of the greatest pleasure of being an artist is to acknowledge and understand the reason of being an artist, but here I acknowledge that. I am a Visual artist who shares and explore his ideas on portraiture, and figures. Around most things in the environment, I make use of unconventional materials like wood chips and also pigment to express my ideas on my canvases. Having grown up with a deep appreciation of the art of exploration around me, I see my art as a means of reconnecting with nature and expressing its beauty in a unique and captivating way.

My name ‘Sumanu David’ is my brand, which I have always infused it into my art and artistic career. And I do love to keep the name as my identity because that’s what makes me who I am.

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?

The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge is resilience, creativity, and self-awareness. My advice would be:

1. **Resilience**: Remember that challenges are a part of life, and it’s okay to face them. Stay positive, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward. Your ability to bounce back will strengthen you.

2. **Creativity**: Embrace your creative side! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, try new things, and express yourself uniquely. Let your creativity guide you in finding innovative solutions and making your journey more colorful.

3. **Self-awareness**: Take time to reflect on your values, strengths, and areas for growth. Understanding yourself better will help you make decisions that align with your true self and lead to a more fulfilling journey.

These qualities can truly make a difference in shaping a path.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The one thing and the most important thing is that they allowed me to follow my dreams.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: sumanudavid_
• Facebook: Sumanu David
• Linkedin: Sumanu David
• Twitter: @davisumanu

Image Credits

Image credits to Sumanu David