HERO MAGAZINE PUBLISHER CELEBRATES DR SEYI OSHODI PAUL @50
THE YOUNG MAN “SEYI OSHODI “: A PURE SUBSTANCE ARTIST , A MAN OF HIS WORDS AND A VIBRANT DECOUPLING DEDICATED HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
The heroic image and enviable attachment of this amiable gentleman was built in parts by his own inclination towards self-sustenance in life and the wonderful hands of God in his chosen endeavours. From the very beginning of his life, he seems to have adopted a lifestyle that contributed in no small measures to his greatness.
To talk of a workaholic man who has made us proud in Irele and Ondo State as a whole within and outside the State, in terms of his Artistic handwork , morally and in discipline manner that has portrayed the good image of Ondo State in and outside the country is no other person than, Mr Seyi Oshodi
His successful life is a practical lesson to any individual [particularly the young ones] aspiring to make it to the top. He is a perfect product of dedication to duty and commitment to excellence, the twin-trait that catapulted him to his present height and his continuous belief to render service to his people. He’s already working his way to the top through personal commitments and efforts geared towards achieving greatness.
Excellence is doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way despite the challenges on his way.
The young Seyi Oshodi was born in Okitipupa, Ondo State in 1973, Oshodi recently held an exhibition in his home-state, in conjunction with the state government. The exhibition earned him support of the Minister of State for Niger Delta affairs, Prof. Claudius Omoleye Daramola. In no distant future, Oshodi said, his gallery is planning to open the biggest arts gallery in Nigeria in Ondo State. “This, of course, will drive tourism traffic to the state and make it one of the biggest tourism hubs on the continent. Besides that our organization plans to train 5,000 Ondo women and youths in arts, sculpture and painting, and also provide avenues for them to sell their works around the globe.”
Before becoming a fulltime studio artist, Oshodi has worked as a multi-media expert, a studio artist and art digital animator all in Lagos. He has also trained several animators and motion graphic artists and video editors.
His works and career as an artist are influenced by three major characteristics: his training at Fine Arts department of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife; the traditional African mask which was his final research project at ife and the society, particularly Yoruba. “My style was drawn from diverse Yoruba symbols and my themes project traditional lore and myths of my native culture. My work, defiant of classification, silently grows on viewers, blending with their moods, simultaneously taking their minds to strange and familiar colourful places full of false nostalgia. Oftentimes, the attraction is mutual and instant,” he observed.
For the artist, “life patterns of the people represent an embodiment of their culture”. He observed that although Africans are known to be lovers of arts, music and literature, yet the government and people must do more to support their artists so as to keep their arts and by extension, their culture alive.
Beyond being an art advocate, Oshodi is also a proponent of wealth agricultural sector holds. The artist-turned fisherman is advocating that the arts and agricultural sectors are untapped goldmine for youths’ empowerment.
Please, join me in celebrating this quintessential personality, a pride of Ikale Land.
