Akintayo Akintobi: Exploring Identity and Creativity
“Over the years I explored art in different ways and different directions. I found out that was what I knew how to do best, and that is still what I’m doing to this day.” –Akintayo Akintobi
Akintobi started exploring art at the age of seven. Now, he’s a trailblazer in the
art world. See how this ETSU alum explores his identity and creativity.
Video Transcript
Narrator:
Akintayo Akintobi was seven years old when he found art. It hid between his tiny fingers. It transformed his idle doodling to Picassos, studied his sketches and made him the star of coloring classes.
Akintayo Akintobi:
I started art when I was seven years, and what really drew me to art was comic books. I read comic books and I drew a lot of comic characters. Over the years I just explored art in different ways and different directions. I found out that was what I knew how to do best, and that's what I still do now to day.
I came to ETSU first because of the scholarship I had. I had the funding for the program, and secondly because of the faculty members in my department. They really, their works really intrigued me on what I want to do for my thesis and in my journey. They, they explore the same line. So it was only easy for me to like, just choose ETSU.
You have this sentiment, you have this attraction, when you're creating your work. I think for me it's, it changes over time, because you are continuing exploring and your work gets better. Currently I would say I'm like in between like two works. There's a piece called Ethos, which is family. I really love that because it's reflection on my family. And the other one is the piece behind me, which reflects continuity because I drew on sand, and the fact that I'm doing it right now in graduate school is a reflection of, you know, going back from where I started from, and reflecting, and also like, continuing.
I draw my inspiration from God first. I draw my inspiration from music. I draw my inspiration from my family and my experiences.
My advice for ETSU students, current and future students, is to be hard-working. You know, believe in yourself, meditate, pray, hang out with your friends, move outside your comfort zone and you know, enjoy the moment.
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