By Stanley Ugagbe
Being talented and hardworking are two inseparable ingredients of success. It’s a common saying that it’s not just enough to be talented, persistence and determination are omnipotent. It was Stephen King who succinctly averred that: “What separate the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work”.
Talented Moses Sodio is one person who has practically demonstrated that persistence and determination are key to being successful. Day-in-day-out, he is always doing one project or the other. And that is because he takes his career as a way of life.
Moses is a painter who uses his gifted hands to paint issues confronting the society with an aim to exposing and correcting ills. He is one who strongly believes in using whatever tool one has in promoting the goodwill of the society. Preserving the environment and promoting culture are also some of the areas Moses paint about.
The University of Benin graduate who hails from Ogun State, Nigeria, has been setting agenda for the society through paintings since he started his professional career as a painter. He recently set a burning agendum for the society when he did a painting on a Presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections and convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore with the title ‘Dare to be Different’. Moses did not only receive commendations for the flawless painting but was also invited by Sowore and was automatically named a comrade.
In this interview with our correspondent, Moses shared his story.
May we meet you?
My name is Idowu Moses Olusoga Sodipo. I hail from Sagamu local government in Ogun State.
Tell us about your career
I’m a painter. I started drawing from the age of six. I’ve always wanted to be an artist right from my childhood days. I love art in its aesthetic aspect. I deal mostly on portraits, landscapes, and compositional paintings. I love to use bright colors to express myself. I paint towards issues confronting my environment. I strongly believe in exposing and correcting ills through paintings.
What have been your achievements?
Well, since I started my career as a professional painter, I have done several works that have elicited a lot of commendation. One of the moments that I am always proud of was when I received certificate of commendation from NYSC Secretariat Kaduna state for a painting in the Nigerian military school, Zaria which I did as my project at the end of my NYSC.
What are the most notable projects you have done?
A whole lot. I mean I have done a lot of notable projects. I have done that of former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Another notable one is that of Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso. There is this one of Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa. And then that of a presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, Omoyele Sowore. A lot of people love the project and have been calling to commend me for the portrait. I was also privileged to meet Sowore recently. I am currently working on Nigerian Military school.
What challenges have you encountered so far?
Challenges I have encountered so far is mostly in selling artworks regularly…the art market fluctuates. Today you might make a large sale and then you might not sell at all for the next couple of weeks.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career?
So far, the most memorable moment of my career was when I received certificate of commendation from State Secretariat Kaduna.
How does your career affect the society?
I always paint to depict present situation of the country or economy e.g. crisis in Nigeria, state of the economy etc. Yes, I paint the recent happenings in the society…or the state of the nation. I use my paintings to serve as voice to the voiceless. As an activist who believes in the growth and development of the society, I use my paintings to promote the good of the society. When I paint, I do so with the aim of passing a clear message that depicts the state of the nation.
Do you have a career name?
Of course, I do. Moses Odogwu- an activist through painting.
What else do you wish to add?
I want to thank all my clients all over the world. I also want to thank my fans for the love and support. I am using this opportunity to appeal to everyone out there to patronize my brand. I am one artist who has a track record of successful projects. I am seeking partnership, sponsorship and collaborations.
What are your contacts?
My Facebook username: Moses Odogwu, WhatsApp number: 08138435223 and my email is mosessodipo7@gmail.com
Below are some of Moses’ works.
