- Physically challenged artist makes life-size bead painting of governor
Adewale Mufutau Balogun is a brilliant bead artist who prides himself with having clients across the top echelon of society. Although physically challenged, Balogun is celebrated for rising above his limbs disability to having his beaded portraits garnishing galleries and living rooms of influential personalities. One of his recent prized works is the life size handmade glass beaded portrait of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Evelyn Osagie writes.
THE life-size beaded portrait of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomes visitors into one of the offices of Number 150 Adebowale House, Onipanu, Lagos. From the portrait of former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to that of the Ooni of Ife, to that of the United States’ president, Joe Biden’s, the place has housed and still houses several prized bead works of the artist.
The handmade beaded portrait of Governor Sanwo-Olu made of uncountable grains of sand beads is one of such prized works of brilliant bead artist, Adewale Mufutau Balogun.
Although on crutches, having lost the use of his legs as an infant, Balogun, who is a protégé of the late ace artist, Dr. David Herbert Dale of blessed memory, is not deterred. Driven by passion, the young man is a classic case of ability in disability.
Hear him: “There is nothing called DISABILITY. To me disability is not a predicament but opportunity if we can see it from the right perspectives. I believe I am customised not deformed: make use of the available ability.”
Balogun, surely, is a man of tall dreams. His beaded portraits, owing to their exquisiteness, now garnish galleries and living rooms of kings, captains of industries and influential political figures.
Aside these great accomplishments, Balogun told this reporter that his greatest dream at the moment is to meet and get an executive handshake from the Lagos State governor, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu someday soon.
His reason? He said, “I see him worthy of the honour. Although I have never met him, I am in love his kind of person. I just love him as a person. It is one of my greatest dreams to have a handshake with Governor Sanwo-Olu and present him with the life-size 4ft x 6ft unusual handmade portrait done by fusing glass beads together.”
The work, which was started in July, was completed in September. When asked how many bags of beads he had to use, he said: “Too busy to count but I know the work is made of billions, trillions and uncountable grains of sand beads of different colours and sizes. It took me three months and I worked 12 hours every day.”
On the inspiration behind the work, Balogun said: “I was inspired to do His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s portrait to immortalise him, like the Ooni Ile-Ife and others that I have done. It is also to celebrate his good deeds in Lagos. It is my way of saying “thank you”; because although I now shuttle Lagos and Ibadan, I was born and brought up here in Lagos. It is great joy to me seeing the rapid development taking place in the state, which is seemingly turning it into a small London and a pride of Nigeria. I am particularly impressed by the Imota Rice Mill, which is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, the LAGFEERY (Lagos State ferry transport), the blue lane intra-city rail system, among others.”
Aside the governor’s portrait and that of President Biden and a few others already cited above, the artist also has a rich catalogue of influential people’s portraits, like that of the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; his predecessor, the late Abiola Ajimobi; former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his wife; business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim; telecoms mogul, Chief Mike Adenuga; the late Honourable Olatoye Sugar, to mention but a few.
“Some of my works are in the US, Canada and Germany. These are the ones I can remember as we speak,” he said with relish.
Wondering if he has ever been accused of seeking cheap popularity, owing to his choice of influential people, Balogun responded, thus: “Nigeria needs model leadership. Everyone has a right to his or her opinion but my belief is that it is always good to recognise the good works our leaders are doing and also celebrate their success in our own little ways; not that we should be harping only on their mistakes, forgetting that they are also human beings that can be moved by words or deeds of encouragement.
“I know we are not there yet but we will get there. Let us celebrate oneness in this period of trials and appreciate those who have worked or working to maintain the peace and progress of society, like His Excellency is doing with all his land mark projects.”
True to his name, Balogun is like a warrior in defense of culture through his art, using beads. The bead artist also named His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife’s portrait as his most memorable job yet, given its historic relevance.
“We only met once and I did the portrait before I met him. I’d followed him closely right from the time they were still trying to decide who will be Ooni. He was so impressed when he saw it. He thought it was a painting from a distance, but when he got closer, he was surprised. He asked, ‘Who did this?’ At that point, people around started shouting my name. He then approached the work and asked me if I did it. I told him it’s not painting but a beaded work. He was even more surprised. Then he said, ‘Give me your price.’ I told him I wasn’t selling. He then invited me to come see him in his palace. The rest, like they say, is history,” he said.
