This is a classic example of talent taking you places, academic can't.
Journey with me as we explore Fola David's success story. 😎
ME- Medilag Essence
ME: Please introduce yourself.
I’m Fola David and I’m an artist, a speed painter. I’m a 600 level student of Medicine.
ME: What do you do for fun?
Well,I go to the beach and movies a lot. But most of the time, I’m indoors.
ME: I’ve heard that Fola David isn’t your real name. How did you come about Fola David?
Fola David came to be overtime and it’s quite a long story but I think it stuck because it’s the name I sign on my artworks. My name is Gbadamosi Adefemi but a few years back I added more names and it became Gbadamosi Adefemi Folarin David. The added names came differently, I think I started calling myself David in 2002 and Fola in 2013.
ME: You mentioned your art work, can you just let us know how it all began?
Yes, I have been drawing since as far back as I can remember but it’s not always been professionally. I started professionally 2012, I have been a good artist but I have not seriously taken it up I just knew that when I was young, people tell me you can draw well. It was my hobby, but I did not take it seriously until I got to LUTH.
When I got to LUTH I really started drawing and putting my works up on the KB club board. At that time no one was drawing and putting up works like you see in CMUL today and also when I joined Instagram, I started putting my works on Instagram, and that’s how it all happened because people were able to see from the board and also see online and that’s how it all began with my graphite and charcoal work. I also went ahead to work with several celebrities both local and international. When I contested for MR Medilag in2014 and won, that was the first time I actually performed live on stage where I did the painting of Jesus upside down on the stage in less than 3 minutes and from there everything changed as I went on to perform at bigger events and also be on the same stage with legends and other stars and I have been performing since then.
ME: What has been the most outstanding Moment in your career?
The most outstanding moment in my career must have been when I got signed to Temple management company and the most outstanding moment as a student was when I contested for MR Medilag in 2014 and won.
ME: What new direction will you be taking your art?
With my new management, a whole new brand is emerging. Speed painting and performing on stage will be on a whole new level and several projects and exhibitions coming up.
ME: If you could change something about Medilag, what would that be?
The number of people that stays in the hostel rooms. I feel the rooms at times are just too crowded. Then the food vendors. We need more people selling food, we need like four or five eateries in Medilag and more banks like five more I need Stanbic, FCMB, Eco bank and every other banks that are not in Medilag.
ME: If you could Change something from your past, what would it be?
I’m here because of everything that happened in my past so if am going to change something from my past it means something is going to change about my future, I really wouldn’t. Well previously, I would have changed the fact that I chose to study Medicine but if I had not chosen to study Medicine, I probably will not be here and I wouldn’t have gotten inspired to start working and all of that so everything that happened got me to where I am today and am happy for it.
ME: Can you completely dump your medical career for art career?
Yes, I can
A lot of the doctors I meet are all frustrated, working too hard, earning too little. The hours are too long. For me I work like very little and I earn so much, so leaving that for something else can’t work.
ME: So it’s the Money?
The money and the satisfaction, I can pick up myself, my load and everything and travel to Tokyo and still draw and collect my money, I can’t just travel to Tokyo as a medical doctor and start working there as you have to write exams get certified, probably read about the kind of diseases they have there because it’s not the tropics. It’s for the flexibility.
And the equipment’s we use here are very low standard compared to when you go abroad, when you go overseas, most of the things you learn here becomes obsolete. But I am universal what I know is what I came to the earth with, nobody taught me so wherever it is I go to, I can take it with me.
ME: So you didn’t learn to draw from someone?
No, I did not learn to draw anywhere, yeah everything I do comes from me, I wasn’t taught anything, my drawing, my speed painting, nothing. So if I want to go to the Bahamas today on holiday I can go mon holiday I can be working while am on holiday and be earning money anywhere in the world. That’s one of the most beautiful things about what I do.
ME: So what’s your view on relationships in medilag?
It’s part of life and learning and part of growth so I advise people to get into meaningful relationships learn how to live with people and love each other and all that because nobody is an island and it’ll prepare you for the future.
ME: What is the one thing you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for inspiring people to focus on their dream and work on their talent.
ME: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Wow! Errm… Still doing what I do but on a larger scale worldwide, that’s where I see myself in five years. I don’t know where I will be but I will be doing what I do in large scale.
And here was where the curtain was drawn on the interview with Fola David [or is it Adefemi? ] 😂.
Hope you enjoyed the view into his life and thoughts?
Do you know any one who should be our next person of interest? Contact us their names on whatsapp at +2348101885599
What "has" not have" been the most outstanding moment in your career
ReplyDelete