Today is the third of six days that I've decided to feature artists from NFT Showroom and I specifically scheduled this wonderful woman to get us through hump day. I hope her art speaks to all of you the way it does to me!
Introducing, @glogurl
Gloria Eminiyanuoluwa Olarewaju, AKA @glogurl, is an artist, shoe, and bag designer living in Nigeria. Her work explores different African elements including a variety of Yoruba stories and cultural themes. I love her scribble style which is often set on dark or patterned backgrounds (as compared to the pencil/charcoal drawings she prefers when creating physical pieces).
Although already sold, this piece, Omode., in particular, speaks to me. As a mother I love how this represents the concept of how both adults and children are reliant on one another, both part of a complete unit: the adult able to reach the shelf, and the child able to reach into the calabash.
When and why did you start creating?
I started creating art when I was in high school, but it was just these short pencil drawings. After school, I decided to explore more in the art world and I find pencil work really easy to do. Late last year I ventured into the cryptoart and digital art world and through that I've been able to create art that talks about who I am, my culture and my feelings.
I ventured into art initially because it's an easy way to express what I feel inside.
What inspires you?
Mostly I'm inspired by my environment and my feelings at a particular moment. Also the themes you'd find in my art pieces are culture, adages, proverbs, ancient stories, origins etc. I am from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and there is a lot about my culture so sometimes I try to portray that in my drawings.
This is one of the things that draws me most to Gloria's art. I think her way of tying art to culture is incredible and gives us all a glimpse into her world.
What does art mean to you?
To me art is a way of escaping from the outside world. Life has not been totally fair to me in my previous year and I find art to be a place I escape to. It gives me joy and happiness to see my creations so I do it over and over again just so I will be happy.
Where to find @glogurl:
Instagram - @gloriaolar
Twitter - @gloriaolar1
I am so honored to be featured here thank you so much.