Visual Arts – A Unique form of Expression – Jacob Onoja

Visual Arts is a very beautiful form of expression. It is one of the modes through which imagination and creativity and nature’s beauties can flow from mind to brush to painting or photograph, etc. I had a conversation with Dr. Jacob Onoja an elite artist about visual art and its place in society. Dr Onoja is currently holding an exhibition of works at Magnet House Plot 50973, Zarmaganda – Rayfield Road, Jos, Plateau State. I was there and was highly awed – you should go there if you can too.

Good Day Sir, please can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Dr Jacob Onoja, a painter cum art historian.

How did you venture into arts? What fueled the journey into that world?

From early childhood, I have always loved art and creating various designs in my home and community. My parents believed so much in my passion for art and encouraged me early to pursue a career in visual arts. Today, I hold a PhD in my dream career and I am fueled with a passion for greater creations of paintings, especially landscape paintings and art historical discussions and writings.

Paintings and photography? What is the connection between both and how do you balance your interest in both?

They are both visual art forms. Expressions using different media of paints, brushes and the camera respectively. Painting is tasking and requires good hand-eye coordination, imagination and interpretative dexterity. Photography on the other hand is the careful manipulation of light or writing with light. There is a lot of artistry in photography, hence, using both gives me a better room for expression in the visual arts.

What else do you do for leisure and how does it relate to art?

Reading, and listening to good gospel and jazz music. Sports. Music soothes the nerves, hence, it liberates the creative mind and serves as a catalyst for creativity. Art and music are inseparable duos.

Your major form of art is landscape painting. Why did you choose this specifically and how does it differ from other forms of paintings?

Landscape painting is all-encompassing. Landforms, figures, natural vegetation and lots more. Landscape painting is simply therapeutic to me and several others who create such art forms. The sublime nature of the genre of painting is a reach-out point for me as an artist, helping me engage with my environment and issues around me.

What is the place of visual arts in today’s society? Do you think we are taking it as seriously as we should or are lagging behind?

The place of visual arts in society cannot be overemphasized. Aesthetic judgements, product designs and packaging, innovations and groundbreaking designs are in the preserves of artists in society. Society will be a dull place without the input of artists. Imagine a world without colour. Artists are extensions of the Hand of God, fulfilling the purpose of God in the fruitful creation of aesthetics.

There is a conscious awareness of the potency of artists in society. I am of the opinion that we are taking art more seriously now as compared to years back in our country and this should be encouraged to advance the frontiers of art and aesthetics.

What is your message to society and younger artists?

Keep creating artwork and stay productive. To the younger artists, the future of the visual arts is great. Engage actively in creative ventures of the visual arts and surprise yourself. Visual arts is therapeutic, it’s an antidote for laziness and other vices associated with young people.

Can you explain the story behind some of your works?

My works are borne out of deep meditation, experimentation and the shared joy of expression in paintings. In Countryside Allegory (Plate I) for instance, the work expresses deep thoughts of my devotion to God and a longing for an unadulterated environment.

The pristine air of the countryside is therapeutic. The undulating mountains, green areas and natural meadows, the heavenly feels of wildflowers blossoming with life and a myriad of fragrances filling the air draw one into the landscape with a love for more. Actually, I was thinking of a city, whose maker and builder is God. The painting brings to mind the scriptural reference in Rev.21: 18 – 27. The work is just a figment of my imagination of heavenly beauties created allegorically using the landscape genre.

What are your plans for the future?

Working to make a greater impact in the visual arts paradigm. More experimental paintings and innovations, staging and attending more exhibitions and actively engaging the academia and public in art-based issues for a holistic societal transformation.

Thank you for your time, sir

Don’t forget to check the exhibition by Dr Jacob Onoja (if in Jos) and purchase some beautiful art.

For similar interesting stories on Sarauta Spotlight check here