As a creative, I never underrate the power of open-mindedness and seeking inspiration from anywhere - the mundane or extraordinary, ourselves or others, reality or fiction. This is what keeps us grounded in our art and fuels our visit to worlds both within and outside ourselves that were previously foreign to us. Anne Shirley from Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables said it best: It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?
We asked some of the creatives, previously interviewed for Musta, about their inspirations:
Kenechukwu Ugwu: A & R and Artist Manager. Interviewed here
Who or what continues to inspire your creative path?
My inspiration to keep going is rooted in other artist managers and A&Rs that began their careers before mine and are now striving in the music industry. Some names that come to mind are: Godwin Tom, Osagie Osarenz, and Muyiwa Awoniyi. These people are doing their jobs in the best way possible. Because of them, I know whatever I want is possible and can be achieved.
Esther Aluko: Writer, Literature, and Film Critic. Interviewed here
Who or what was your inspiration to begin writing?
Growing up, I did a lot of reading. I read a lot of picture Bible stories and a lot of African authors. But since I mostly read things that were available to me and only started reading books that I wanted to read as I grew older and entered the literary world as I know it now, I can’t fully ascribe my inspiration to become a writer to a particular person. As soon as I could pick the books I read, I fell in love with authors like Chimamanda Adichie, Chigozie Obioma, and Tobi Adeyemi. But my real inspiration to be a writer and write consistently stems from my amazement at the art that is storytelling. I just love how you can build something out of nothing and how an idea can materialize into something bigger than itself, especially in fiction writing.
What inspires you to continue writing?
I’ll say what inspired me to start writing is exactly what makes me continue. Identifying and remembering the purpose that leads one to start something, fuels the intensity at which they pursue that dream. Things just become clearer.
Uche Daubry, Artist and Sustainable Fashion Designer. Interviewed here
What’s been inspiring you your lately?
I’ve been drawing Inspirations from peoples stories, from how people rise from nothing and seeing how just a little effort everyday, brings in more. I’m currently working on a fashion collection for January where the inspiration comes from plantain trees and leaves. It’s going to be a unisex collection that draws inspiration from the beauty of nature.
Olawale Kolawole, Artist. Interviewed here
As the year draws closer to an end, what are the things inspiring you and your art?
To be honest, I haven’t been feeling inspired lately but I’ve been seeking inspiration from anywhere I can. Let’s say the need to do better is an inspiration. Knowing I can be better and greater keeps me on my feet.
