Smart Gbemi Embraces Artistic Journey Despite Impressive Legal Background
Smart Gbemi, known for her impressive legal background, is now embracing her artistic journey with a newfound passion.
Speaking with pressmen recently in Abuja, she unveiled the captivating world that inspires her art.
She said her artistic journey began at the tender age of 13, igniting a passion that has become an inseparable part of her life, despite her impressive academic background.
She holds an LLB law degree with honors from the University of Hertfordshire, a postgraduate diploma in international relations from Richmond University, and an LLM in medical law and ethics from the University of Law.
According to her, I could have pursued a traditional legal career path. However, the pull of artistic expression proved too strong. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a necessity.
Speaking on storytelling through canvas, she said her artistic influences are as diverse as the emotions she portrays on canvas.
She added that from the rhythmic flow of music to the evocative imagery of poetry, she draws inspiration from various forms of art, weaving these elements into her unique artistic vision.
She hinted that one of her major artistic trajectory has been her exploration of self-discovery and a life in totality, which has spanned over two years.
Gbemi emphasizes the honesty and authenticity she strives for in each piece, valuing the ability of art to transcend words and convey the complexities of human thoughts and experiences.
Gbemi added that her approach to storytelling in her work is deeply rooted in personal experiences and observations of human existence and shared experiences.
She emphasizes the importance of honesty and truthfulness in her art, believing that “the canvas reflects one’s life and that lying to one’s work is impossible.”
When asked to share her views on the role of art in the our society, the artist said “Apart from its undeniable economic viability, I think often times art acts as a social binder- brining people from different cultures together.
“I also think of art as an element of communication. Can you try to imagine what life would be without art? Cause I really can’t fathom. It’s prehistoric. From cavemen paintings to the cultural songs we grew up on. Trying to pin point every influence art has on a societal level is like counting grains of sand on a beach.”
Gbemi emphasizes that art is a way to understand human existence and convey thoughts, aiming to evoke feelings and reactions in viewers.
She sees art as a means of storytelling and connecting with others on a deeper level, highlighting the importance of individual voices and unique perspectives in the artistic realm.
On her challenges and inspiration, she said that she faces various challenges in her creative process, particularly in finding the time and mental clarity to dedicate to her work. She emphasizes the importance of investing time in her art and allowing herself the space to immerse in her thoughts and creative flow.
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“Art cannot be rushed, each hour spent on a piece is valuable”, she said.
Gbemi mentions the struggle of balancing time for creating art with personal reflection and contemplation, highlighting the mental focus required to produce meaningful work.
Gbemi, however, navigates through these challenges by staying true to her storytelling approach, seeking authenticity in her expressions, and aiming to evoke emotional responses from viewers through her art.
