HORIZONS ARE NEVER CROSSED BY WISHFUL THINKING: Interview with David Obiefuna
If you are in the art space, you must have heard of NFT, either from your art friends or cryptocurrency enthusiasts on social media, especially twitter. Twitter is where all the ‘buzz’ conversation takes place.
So, I believe you have heard of NFTs. If you haven’t, have no fear, daddy is here. You can read up about NFTs here.
Now, for the people who have heard about NFT, you must be wondering, what does this new art and blockchain technology marriage hold for me? What can I get off this space?
As an artist, there is so much to gain from NFT.
But, before delving into the space, take your time to read the experiences of other artists who have some level of experience in the NFT space. You will learn a thing or two from their experiences.
if you are no artist, but a curious investor or somebody who is trying to get a hang on what NFTs are about, then stick around. The series of interviews I’ll be conducting will give a good grasp on what this new art space is and how you can benefit from it.
In the first interview in #NAIJA&NFT, I talk to David Obiefuna, an artist through and through. David writes and takes pictures, which, according to him, are ways to tell multiple stories.
Emeka: What is your name and how did art start for you. plus, you said you were on twitter spaces, what do you guys talk about in your spaces? things like, “guy that ballpen art fine o, but e be like say the eyes too big?”
David: My name’s David Obiefuna, I’m traditionally a photographer. Art has always been there for me from writing poetry to singing but photography caught my attention most. Been at it success 2017 with little or no luck just basically grinding out of love for the arts and expressing myself.
Spaces are just where we get to meet the people behind the art. Sometimes it’s formal, but a lot of other times its just us linking up and going with the vibe, I’d say it’s the less toxic side of twitter.
Emeka: less toxic side of Twitter indeed. Twitter does have its good, bad and extremely ugly sides
David: Yes it does
Emeka: How did NFT start for you? How did you hear about it?
David: I started hearing about NFT around the second quarter of this year, I asked questions but the financial commitments required to get on board scared me of until late September when I met a fellow artist (@AmaremoElaebi ) in person he told me I needed to be on it because he liked my work and felt I needed to get on the space so the world could see my work, he offered to pay minting fees but things took a different turn after I joined and it’s been uphill from there
Emeka: What turn did it take? And how high are these minting fees, for you, at least?
David: It just got better for me. I got the fees just before I could save up completely for it. Gas fees are very high, for me at least.
Emeka: How high are these fees? Specific price or they vary?
David: Gas fees are volatile, they’ve been pretty high lately I’ve seen gas fees from about $100+ to almost $300
Emeka: That is a lot of money for Nigerians. So, what are the challenges you face a Nigerian artist minting NFTs and selling them?
David: Challenges would be mostly financial, we are well undervalued here in Nigeria, so it translates to our general well-being as humans too
Emeka: I saw some of your work on Opensea, portraits. Is that a niche for you, Or you do do whatever?
David: I shoot a lot of portraits because I’m curious about humans, and a lot of other fine details that just drive me to making portraits but I get myself in the mix of creating photography that are timeless
Emeka: Agreed, man. You have sold some of your work, yes?
David: Yes I have sold a few pieces, first started with selling out a collection then one of my other self portraits then I just sold one out of my ije Uwa collection a little over a week ago
Emeka: congratulations, man. Do Nigerians buy NFTs or it is still a foreign hobby? And how good, financially, are NFTs? For the artist and the collectors?
David: Nigerians buy NFTs. The truth is a lot of us are art lovers as well as we are creators. It’s a gradual but steady progress we’re making.
Emeka: So the creators buy the art of other creators? Or random people buy these NFTs? A lot of people talk about poverty in the country being a major drawback for art’s appreciation, is that something you’ve noticed since you started selling your art, as NFTs?
David: As we all know, NFTs are the future for a lot of reasons, but there’s a paradigm shift from traditional art and all that protocol to finding the right collector for you and as we progress, value increases so it’s good investment for everyone in it.
Emeka: How do you mint your art, for those still contemplating joining the NFT train? How much have you sold your art? Do you see more Nigerians joining the NFT movement? Minting and collecting?
David: The space thrives on giving and taking, you can’t continue taking without giving back. As creators we all support each other by picking up pieces where we can and also random people come here and find pieces that resonates with them and that could drive them to collecting too as either investment or just a personal connection of some sort. People will always find reasons not to do stuff, poverty will always be one of them but horizons were never crossed by wishful thinking.
Horizons were never crossed by wishful thinking
Emeka: Horizons were never crossed by wishful thinking!!! I love.
David: I might have just dropped another banger.
Emeka: This is definitely a banger.
David: But yeah minting starts with knowing what art you want to present and which platform best suits you and your art. A lot of research needs to be done too. A lot of people come in because they see the coins raining but can’t stand the groveling. But understanding the different platforms and how they work is a sure way to start then the most important is to genuinely get in touch with the community with the most genuine intentions.
I’ve sold a fair amount. At least I’m a lot better now than I was a few weeks ago.
And yes, more Nigerian artist wheels hop on, I’ve onboarded about 5 artist and there’s still more to bring onboard. I’m in the process of trying to sell some of my work so I can raise funds to pay gas fees for new artists because this is basically one of our biggest challenges.
Emeka: Shebi I should sent Aza? Is there a bias from collectors with Nigerian arts?
David: I don’t see any bias for now, not saying they’re not there but I like to choose my focus and right now, I’m just focused on the good.
Well if you get my pinned piece sold I just might ask for your aza.
Emeka: I love it. Focused on the good. Your final words, like we say on radio: what advise do you have for new artists who want to get into the space?
David: Final words would be, come for the food, stay for the vibe and don’t get rugged.