We love learning more about our contributors, and an interview seemed like a fun way to hear more about the writers and artists we publish, so we gave them a choice of questions to answer. We hope you also enjoy hearing more about the artists and their works. Check out Issue #27 for work from Abubakar Auwal and more.



If you're part of a workshop group or other creative community, tell us about it! How did it form, what all do you do, and how does it help your creative process?
Wow. Wow. Wow. I would have love this question to be at the top but either having it at the top or bottom— the response will still be the same. I'm a proud and bonafide member of the leading art organization in Nigeria, the organizers of the largest teen arts festival in Africa and home of many sparkling stars whose glowing tune dominates the world. Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation [HCAF] founded by a Nigerian great writer, Bm Dzukogi has for over the years produce a quiet number of literary giants across the four walls of Nigeria. Big guys, that are now invading the literary world from early stage.

HCAF has given us platform to grow and own our voices. HCAF remain the solid foundation of our growth right from early stage and still see us through. HCAF has sharpen our art with greater vision and wide visibility.

And as for me HCAF— supported me through different angles and I'm forever grateful. I've gotten a lot of opportunities and mentorship that are now sharpening my art. HCAF thought me some chronicles of life and how well to handle them.

I also belong to the fastest growing community of young and vibrants poets in Africa: The Poetic Collective [TPC]


Who or what inspires your work generally?
As long as you're a Nigerian, everything will come to you as inspiration. There are many stories that need to be told, moments that needs to be captured and many things to mend as a mechanical artist. At most times, when writing poetry or exploring the world of photography and art, I do find myself contemplating to either focus on that particular story or tell another through any form. There're many things to tell. Believe me, many. Random news of abduction and killings in villages as well as injustice from many radio stations, newspapers in the country are enough incidences to trigger the art in you. Sometimes, we writes or paints from personal experiences.

As artist, we at times deviates from the normal scene to explore the speculative world and reflect the scary world we find ourselves in. Like my (art) piece [Ghostship] published in your recent issue, is all about a fictional world where we [as children] were forced to believe that there are ghosts and other supernatural creatures that operate at nights. As a Muslim, I believe that there's nothing like ghosts because by the moment you're dead— there'll be no resurrection until hereafter. And that can only be done by Allah, not by the will of the [dead] person or someone else.

Generally speaking, the happenings in my country, unrevealed nature of existence and Islam inspired my art in its whole.


What is your creative process? Do you plan pieces out or let them happen as they come?
My art comes in multiple forms; I don't force any. It comes to me knocking on my door and by the moment I let it in, we explore the world together.


We think of "after happy hour" as the time you can really let loose and be yourself. What is your after happy hour?
My “after happy hour” is when everything happens to me the way I plan it. My “after happy hour” is that feeling when life cook me in its pot and ridicul me out of the whole mess with a unanimous  surprise. My “after happy hour” is when I sit back and appreciate everything I have. Then, I set my eyes eastward, kneels and place my forehead on the ground to thank my God. Allah, is the doer of everything.


What are you drinking at happy hour, in a literal or a metaphorical sense?
I prefer a cup of poetry filled with excessive metaphors that will make you stand on your feet and applause. I drink metaphors to calm my nerves with a photographic and spicy dish of art on the table. Everything watery and complex suits my “hour”. Books becomes the sole team of friends I walked anywhere with. I engaged, toast and propose to each of them until we're married. Right now, I've gotten married to a lot number of books to which I still have feelings for. “After happy hour” to me is that moment I breathe, and read, and sing, and dance and pray. So generally, metaphors, bright sun and books  are my favorite drinks while prayer becomes my all-time cup of tea.