KNITTING THREAD ON CANVASS

Her name is Shade Rashidat Fagorusi, the lady who knits thread on Canvass. When I saw her work on Facebook, inquisitiveness went on an exploration to unearth the knitting thread on canvas artiste Shade.

A short interview about Shade Fagorusi that I was able to price from her.

KB           when I saw your work on Facebook, I went searching for you. I was curious to know who Shade is. Who is Shade?

SF           I am Folashade Rashidat Fagorusi. I was born on 22 July to the Family of Ibrahim from Omupo town, kwara state. I am the first child of three Children from my parents. I am a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 2012.

KB           What stirred you into Fine Arts?

SF           I have always loved anything that makes me task my brain in order to create something.

KB           What inspired you into using thread on canvas?

SF           I used to knit cap, table mat and so on when I was in Secondary School. When I got into the university, I did not have time to knit again because I lost the technique of knitting so I used the wool to make my hair. One day my husband (a boyfriend then) came visiting and said that do I know that I could merge them on canvas and make something nice out of it? I merely laughed it off because I could not see the possibility. He ordered me to get a sketch and do something. I said okay, still not totally convinced I drew an abstract figure and worked on it. Over time, I sent him progress of the work all in the bit to show him it was impossible. In short, the initial inspiration was from my husband Segun.

HER FIRST WORK PROMPTED BY SEGUN.

KB           Why fine and applied arts, why not another course?’

SF           All I ever wanted in life was to teach just like my father who was to be a teacher. I went for Fine Arts headlong. Fine Arts was my first and second choice. I loved the way people showed him respect and the impact he made in their lives and children. Virtually every school I attended there was always someone who knew my father. They always said to me “tell him you met so so so and tell him I am grateful ‘’ I wanted same for myself too, I wanted to leave a legacy, I wanted my children to be proud of me and the legacy I would leave behind. incidentally, mathematics was the only other course that gave me joy but mathematics couldn’t hold my interest like Fine Arts, so Fine Arts was it!

shade and father.

KB           where did you meet your husband? What was the attraction?

SF           I met my husband in school, we were in the same class from year one. He was in Fine Arts Major and I was in Fine Arts Education. He is from Ode -Ekiti

Shade and Segun Fagorusi

KB           You lost your mum at a very tender age, how were you able to cope without a mother to guide you through life?

SF           To cope at the initial stage was really hard, but I am grateful to God for the gift of a wonderful stepmother. She never gave us reasons to feel she did not give birth to us. She truly stood like a mother to us; it was easy to move on with life, as if we did not lose our biological mother. As far as I am concerned, I have a mother today, a mother I can talk to and relate with that I found in my stepmother.

Kb           You learned to sew…?

SF           Yes, after waiting endlessly for me to be posted for youth service.

KB           How would you advise those who look up to you?

SF           Start with whatever you have no matter how little or ridiculous it seems.

She was born Folashade Rashidat Ibrahim on July 22. A graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

Shade known for her originality has won several prizes. She won the best prize for BEST ENTRY in Ibadan zone at LIMCAF in 2016, and before then she had won a prize for ORIGINALITY in 2015. An exhibition of her Art works together with works of Segun Fagorusi and Femi Oyewole titled CONVERGENCE was held at the institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

While waiting for her youth Service, she used the brief period to learn how to sew specializing in T-shirts and Polos. Today, the business she started at her one room corner has become a success. She is the proud owner of ESTELLE DESIGNS in Ile Ife.

Shade is the first of three children of her parents. She lost her mother on March 5, 2001, who left behind her Beloved father, Shade, Toheeb and Adamson.

She married Segun Fagorusi, a fellow artiste in November 2017. The couple met in the same department at the University in 2008.