I have always loved art.
I grew up in Nigeria and was surrounded by artists. Everywhere we went there was art. From the bricks they made for mud huts, to the woven baskets we used around the house. My mother loved sourcing and collecting pieces from the local artists. We ate off Abuja pottery and our home was furnished with Fulani blankets, and tie-dyed bedcovers. On our walls were wooden carvings and batik paintings my mother had found at local markets or through connections she began to make. Later on when we moved back to Scotland she continued to source batik tablecloths and artworks from Nigeria to sell to friends. As I write this I feel it is the first time I really see how much my mother’s love of art has influenced me.
I have always made things. My earliest memory is making a paper maché puppet, tie-dying clothes, and flower pressing with my Granny. At boarding school I loved art, we had a great studio right at the top of the building. Unfortunately, our teacher was an alcoholic and gave little instruction, so I never felt encouraged or inspired. When I was sixteen my parents moved back to Scotland and I moved schools and became a day girl. The art department at George Watson’s was huge and I loved the art teacher Michael Gill and his enthusiasm about my creations. I think having cheerleaders is so important in believing in yourself. I passed my Higher Art thanks to him.
When I was in my early twenties I began collecting my own art, mostly from friends who had gone to art school. I loved having original pieces of artwork on my walls versus a John Lewis print. I then got married and had children and naturally my children opened up my creative life again. We were always making things.
We then moved to Australia and I studied Indigenous Studies and again my art began to become centre stage as I learned about its importance for integrative healing for the Aboriginal people. After I graduated with my Masters, I began using the skills I had learnt to use artwork as a tool to create ways to educate children around diversity and inclusion.
Then in 2015 I got sick with Chronic fatigue. With little energy to expand beyond my four walls, I began dot painting to settle my nervous system which turned into 20 paintings which I gave away and sold. It also prompted me to start writing a book about what had helped me recover. Basically Buckwheat was a result of that.
In 2022 I created a guidance deck called Wisdom From Lived Experience. I painted all the artworks for the cards, and wrote the accompanying guidebook. It gave me such gratification to send that out into the world as guidance decks and tarot cards have always supported me through challenging times.
I had a stressful few years doing too many things and unfortunately my chronic fatigue returned. This time I began knitting, drawing and then stitching. The stitching has developed into something unexpected. I have always loved collage and so creating art with different colours and textures of material inspires me. Then I have all these different coloured threads and wools that I bring everything together with. Honestly it baffles me what keeps being expressed through my hands.
I have continued to produce artworks as I recover my health. Friends encouraged me to have an exhibition but unfortunately my energy has not been up to it. In June I exhibited a tiny 10x10cm textile artwork in a local gallery and the feedback has spurred me on to re-launch this online shop.
In here you will find the Basically Buckwheat cookbook, The Wisdom From Lived Experience deck as well as all the textile artworks I have created this year.
Thank you for being here and supporting me.