Being Physically Challenged has not hindered my Artistry—Wale Balogun

Being Physically Challenged has not hindered my Artistry—Wale Balogun

By Yemi Olakitan

Balogun Mufutau Adewale is a physically challenged and versatile Nigerian artist. Adewale was not born with any form of disability. It began while he was growing up at the age of three. In this revealing interview with Yemi Olakitan, he explained how it happened and how he has been able to carve a niche for himself in the world of arts despite his challenges.

·   How did you discover your talents?

As a young man, my initial ambition was to become a Medical Doctor despite the fact that my talent as an artist was noticeable at a very early age. I was very lucky because I met someone who advised me to study Visual arts instead of Medicine.  He said, God has given me a talent that fits my condition since I am physically challenged, if I were a Medical Doctor, how would I handle the demands of the profession. It may even be very challenging to secure employment after school if I had studied Medicine.  It was a God sent advice and I took it. Art is something that I have been able to practice without much hindrance since I can do it with my hands and I can do it sitting down. I would not say that it has been easy but God has been very faithful.

·   ·     How did you come about your disability?

My condition started long ago when I was younger. According to my parents I was not born with any form of disability. A time came when I became ill and I had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment. I was three yeas old at the time. A Nurse gave me an injection during the course of my treatment. The injection paralyzed my legs. My parents did not notice in time and by the time, my parents noticed the reason why I could not rise and walk, it was too late. The doctors could only save one of my legs. The other one could not come back to normal. Only one was fully healed. From the beginning, I knew that there was art in me. I could draw. I drew my mother at the age of four. I used to draw for fun because I liked it a lot. I used to use my sisters’ lipsticks to paint whatever I drew. Those were my watercolors. It was natural for me to do Art.

·   ·     How were you able to cope with the situation?

There are different types of handicapped people. There are those who were born mentally handicapped and it affected their productivity. There are those who were not born with any form of mental disability and yet they are still handicapped in their minds. I was not born with my disability nor am I affected mentally or psychologically. I know that as long as I have a sound mind, I could achieve anything I want to achieve in life. When I was younger my parents wanted to send me to school for the handicapped. I refused because my mind is not affected by my disability. There are many things that able-bodied people cannot do that I can do. By the grace of          God, It has not stopped anything good in my life.  Sometimes, it could be a plus, for example, I am a public speaker, if I stand before people to talk, before I say anything, my appearance alone will challenge them. This is why I am always working with my hands so I am always improving. 

      When I was younger I never saw my self as handicapped. I played around like any normal kid and I had fun just like them. I crawled for the first six years while playing with my younger ones. While my younger brother was six, he was enrolled in a Primary school and I was eight, at the time so I asked them what about me?  They wanted to send me to a school for the handicapped but I refused. I insisted that I had a normal life to live so I needed to attend a normal school just like any regular kid and they had to agree.

      One day, someone organized a party on our streets and everyone was going so I said to myself that why should I be crawling when everyone is walking so I went to the backyard and got myself a burnt wood from the traditional stove (adogon) I used that as crutches and helped myself to the party.  When my parents saw that attempt to walk, they decided to get me actual crutches.  The major challenge is that people never stop treating you as a second class and some even go out of their way to put you down. I was waiting by the bus stop one day when someone offered me alms. I had to educate him that I was not a beggar. There are disable people who are not disturbed by their situation and people constantly try to refer them to it. If you have physical disability and you do not have mental disability, you are fine because you can achieve whatever you set your mind to achieve if you work hard enough and with faith in God.

·   ·     Why do you choose to work with beads?

People love new things; new creativity and I want my work to stand out. I don’t want to do what everybody is doing. I choose to use beads in my paintings because of its durability. If it gets dirty, you can cleanse it easily. I want to inspire other artistes and make an impact in other peoples’ lives.  If for example, you want to encourage or advice an handicapped person it may not sink well but if you are in the same condition with him as I am and he sees that you are doing what he feels he cannot do, he will listen.  You see, a man may have a bad leg or a bad hand but the worst scenario is to have a bad head, which is terrible. There are different types of handicapped people and everyone is falling into one category or the other. You can be financially handicapped. You can be mentally handicapped. One can be spiritually handicapped. Everyone has one; even President Jonathan is facing its own handicap from Boko Haram.  I define my handicap as handy and Cap. The evidence that one is living is because of challenges. There are people who cannot feel hunger or pain because they are dead but we are alive. There is nobody without challenges, it may differ.  I always found very creative ways to live normally and to do my work. All I have to do is sit and think about it.  My wife came home, one day and discovered that I have hung all my art works on the walls of our living room and she was surprised that I could do it by myself.  She asked who helped me? Actually, I just sat down and think of the various ways by which I should hang the art works and I was able to do it. By the way, my wife has been a great inspiration to me. There is a lot of hard work in art. I sit for hours in order to produce an art piece and many times my back aches. The reward is in seen people appreciate your work.  I participate in group exhibitions a lot. I am also planning a solo exhibition soon.

·   What are your words of advice to those in similar situation?

My advice is this: Challenges are an evidence to prove that you have a great future and you are going somewhere great. There is no gain without pain. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.  My dream in life is to be ahead of the so-called able bodied. I am grateful to God. He has been there for me.

·   You are happily married; you have a family and a thriving career

To the Glory of God, even my four-year-old kid adjusts to the situation. He will even go and bring my crutches for me when I needed them. God has not allowed it to be a problem that we cannot surmount.

·   Can you mention some of the people who have influenced you?

One of them is Dr. Davide.H.Dale He developed his own style and he helped me to develop mine.  Mr. Dale is highly influential in my evolution as an artiste. I would say he contributed a lot. There are several other people who have influenced and helped me in my career as an artist. When an artist is willing there are positive people who will support him in Nigeria even a physically challenged artist.

·   Thank you very much

You are welcome