Titus Agbara: Making a mark on Manchester's art scene

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By Chantelle Tindall

It was by chance that artist Titus Agbara captured my attention. An article about him in Signature magazine which my husband read and then brought home, led to an investigation before subsequently contacting him to secure this interview. Conveniently the gallery where his work is displayed is only minutes away.

I arrived before the artist and came face to face with Damilola at Oldham Gallery and one could instantly see the beauty of the work. A seemingly traditional oil on canvas with a dark background that makes the character more arresting - instantly capturing your attention with her radiant eyes that follow you wherever you turn. Although I am not an art expert, the brilliance in this painting shines through. It rightly deserves to grace the cover of the galleries season brochure.

Eventually, Mr. Titus arrived with his daughter and mother- in-law. After looking at the painting with me, you could clearly see the pride and joy on his face.

He is married and lives in Oldham, Manchester, with his family, and dedicates at least two hours a day to painting. This is because he works full-time in the Care sector. After relocating in late 2016 from London, he was keen to explore the art scene in Manchester, wanting to meet other artists in the city and exploring different art galleries. He then came across leaflets at the Oldham gallery's Open Call requesting artists to submit their work through which he submitted two paintings. The gallery called and told him they loved his entry but were unable to afford it without the help of funding from Arts Fund UK. Fortunately, the funding was eventually granted and they were finally able to purchase the painting.

It turns out that Damilola is actually a good friend of his in London who was very kind to him when he arrived in the UK and helped him understand how things worked. It was as his thank you and appreciative gesture that he decided to paint her. One thing that resonated with him and the name Damilola which is of Yoruba origin in South West Nigeria, was its meaning in English. Damilola signifies "prosperity and wealth." To him, that is "why people migrate from their native land."

He was already talented as a child but he eventually studied Art at Auchi Polytechnic in Nigeria which was not his father's choice for him, as he wanted him to study Architecture.

His father's stance against him pursuing Art as a career is because in Nigeria, artists are not considered successful. Most end up in small kiosks and sheds on the road side designing signboards and printing leaflets. These images portray  Nigerian artists in a bad light.

Furthermore, he explained how he eventually got his father's blessings to study Art. It was through a family friend - Felix Osiemi, who convinced his father to allow him to pursue his passion. He said through Mr. Osiemi, he met his mentor - Abiodun Olaku, whose studio he went to complete his industrial attachment after his Ordinary National Diploma (O.N.D).

Agbara also acknowledges Mr. Seth Ikusika, a practicing artist who noticed his talent right from secondary school and encouraged him not to deviate but stay focused and pursue a career in Art. He learnt how to paint using palette knives from Ikusika and that has been his tool for painting until this day.

A full time artist in Nigeria since leaving school, long before his brother invited him over to the UK, he had been having art exhibitions in Lagos, alongside other artists, and, gallery owners exhibited his paintings because they were "stand out art-works."

Gaining recognition in the UK is still an ongoing process. His paintings are based on themes from his homeland and that can sometimes be a challenge to viewers.  He had his first exhibition in 2007. It was a two week exhibition at Ilford Museum and Library which he really enjoyed. With a tinge of regret, he said he wished he sold one of his paintings to a guy who wanted it for so little. Looking back now, he realised the passion and desire the man displayed for that work:  "He was a man who showed true respect."

After the exhibition he began to encourage other Nigerian artists to form collectives and exhibit, as back home in Lagos, he was also always encouraging his fellow artists to work together in a bid to give their arts career a more dignified reputation.

Monet - the renowned artist is a great influence on his work. "I love his use of colour, light display and technical approach," he was happy to declare. These are skills he tries to apply when working on his own paintings.

To him, art is an "ongoing process," which is why he has vowed to have his studio as near to him as humanly possible. He believes in communicating with his paintings. He want to be able to put paint to canvas "no matter how late or early, and as soon as I get any inspiration."  He hopes to become an international renowned artist. According to him: "If I make enough fortune to live off and some excess, I would love to give back to society by embarking on community projects that would especially support and nurture youth skills."

One important aspect he is looking at, is how to use knives for a good cause. Given the high rate of knife-crime in London and other parts of the country, he would love to hold workshops where young people would be taught how to use knives for constructive creativity as against using them as harmful weapons. He would also love to develop art skills for young people in Nigeria especially in Ajegunle, Lagos State, where he grew up.

Agbara is somebody the Nigerian and BME communities should be very proud of. A soft-speaking and unassuming man, he has showcased his work in competitive events like the: Sky Art Portrait Artist of the Year 2014, and SkyArt Landscape Artist of the Year 2015 and 2016. For someone who knows the value of his work, he is always on the lookout for avenues to showcase his work to the world.

Currently, his work are displayed and sold on the prestigious Saatchi Art website. For sale or sold out: are some amazing paintings like As Our Mother Told Us amongst many, that so captured our fancy we are looking to acquire a print or canvas.