Nigerian graffiti artist Okpunkolo Osa is changing the face of Lagos streets – with colourful murals adorning some of the city’s buildings and walls to attract the attention of passers-by.
In Nigeria, graffiti is often seen as an eyesore, something unwelcome used by rebellious youths to damage property.
But Osa, also known as “Osa Seven”, is hoping to change the way graffiti is perceived, and get more people to appreciate the art form.
Inspired by hip-hop culture and the worldwide appeal of graffiti artists such as British artist Banksy, who has revolutionised street art, Osa decided to start exploring graffiti four years ago.
Today, Osa is working on his latest project; spray painting some of Lagos’s landmarks on the city’s walls.
“The brief was to create a graffiti piece or mural that describes Lagos. So, basically what I did was, I took key elements that are peculiar to Lagos or key monuments peculiar to Lagos; the three orisa metas (the three wise chiefs/gods), I have the national art theatre and I have the graffiti font text which reads Lagos basically and the Lagos colours also,” he added.
The project was commissioned by the government to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lagos State.
In a bid to popularise the art form, Osa has also set up an initiative known as Kuma Nation to help artists in Nigeria sell and popularise their work.
“I am just a spearheader, the movement is coming, there are a whole lot of people that are after me that are inspired and will make the impact and I believe in impacting where I am from and this is just another opportunity to do that,” Osa added.
Osa’s work is already attracting attention and sparking debate on the value of street art.
“It depends on the kind of graffiti the person has put on my wall, if the graffiti is something I can relate to and I like then it is fine, then if it is something awkward I am not really cool with then I might have an issue with the person who has done the graffiti and might just have to repaint the wall,” says an unidentified Lagos resident.
Osa is working to encourage more young people to join his movement and explore their graffiti talent, he says though that he faces a huge challenge when it comes to sourcing materials in the country like paint as well as finding empty walls for his work.
Reuters
