A creative living in a fast moving world
Our interview with Niyi Okeowo
Coming from our last few interviews we’ve spoken to individuals often with one key focus. Whether this is photography or design and how they streamline their attention to achieving personal goals.
In this interview we talk to Niyi Okeowo, a Nigerian multidisciplinary creative that is heavily involved in mental health, the cosmos and minimalism.
We were particularly drawn to his portrait photography and how he captured individual’s character in a photograph. All photos shown by Niyi.
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For those that don’t know about your stuff how would you describe yourself? How can we get to know you?
My name is Niyi Okeowo, I am a multidisciplinary creative from Lagos, Nigeria. 🇳🇬
I guess I would describe myself as a creative constantly searching for new ways to express myself and do something that can either educate/entertain people visually.
We found you through some great photos that Tobias Van Schneider shared on Twitter, is photography a big part of your day to day?
It is, I really love taking pictures, portraits, still life, documentary and every other type of photography there is. It’s a big part of my day to day, i don’t think I can go a day without documenting something whether it’s on my phone or my DSLR. I feel like the world moves so fast and everyone is on the move, so most times people just forget to document the whole process of people just being people and you’d be surprised what you get if you just stop and take a picture.
You’ve been a part of the hashtag #letstalkaboutmentalhealth for a while now, how do you think social media is affecting topics like this?
I think Social media really helps the message, we may not see it but social media is basically an online therapist room, you get a lot of people come online sharing their lives and how they feel, hoping they can get someone who relates to what they are going through or their interests. It’s an ongoing expression of emotions by people who are just hoping to connect with people. Mental health is really important and people are starting to see this, a lot has happened this year and last year in terms of mental well-being. I personally believe social media helps boost the message and the positivity.
Mental health is a particular struggle for huge number of people and it’s known that someone you know will have a mental health illness but won’t be able to tell you. It’s definitely our duty to open up and end the stigma attached to mental health.
An absolutely great book if you haven’t checked it out already is Reason’s to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. We thoroughly recommend it to anyone who may be in need of a little read / pick me up to help them at this time. The book covers everything from bad days to slowing down to things that can make you feel better.
Are you working on any passion projects at the moment?
I have a million passion projects I’m working on if I’m being honest, from mental health to projects about space and colours to other projects. You need personal projects to survive as a creative, well not in terms of the financial but more of self-satisfaction.
What’s next in your story?
Using Design and photography to try and communicate/tackle mental health stigmas and issues, Exhibitions, Merchandise, Travel, hopefully get to work with bigger brands and personalities.
