Artist of the Month: March 2025
Optometrist and Visual Artist
Based in Calgary, Alberta
Can you please present yourself: what’s your name, where are you from, and tell us about your artistic journey.
My name is Alexandre Oriaifo, I’m from Nigeria, born and raised and studied until university in my country. Growing up in Nigeria was fun, in a family of 6 siblings, our parents wanted for each of us to do our best. In 2018 I moved to Saudi Arabia and in 2022 I came to Canada with my family.
My artistic journey has not been specific, I just know I loved art. I am a self taught artist –my school was hours and hours of watching videos and practicing – and I try to engage in art class. I was blown away by a hyper realist artist on Instagram and I fell in love with that technique. I officially started in 2018, with my first attempt at hyper realism. From there, I started to build on that.
What does hyper realism mean to you and how it became your preferred medium/practice?
Initially I tried painting but I didn’t feel successful, I couldn’t control the medium. With charcoal and pencil, I had better control. That’s why he decided to go with a medium I felt stronger with, but I still paint.
Hyper realism is a medium I can have control over. Whenever I draw – mostly in black and white – It takes a lot of time to work, research, and think about my art. Hyper realism is about details, it makes me focus, and it allows me to pass a message. Hyper realism requires time, too. It can take 3-6 months to create a piece but once you choose a theme, you grab all your focus and attention, and give it your best shot.
Where do you find inspiration? What things from everyday life inspire you?
My profession as Optometrist gives me the opportunity to talk to and get to people constantly. That way, I make cultural connections, each carrying its own unique message. Then I pick up pieces and ruminate (like a big puzzle in my mind): unique stories, questions I ask myself, words I’ve heard, connections I’ve made... I reflect upon all that and then decide what I want to create.
I like to form my own opinions and create based on them, however, I’m also open to questioning myself. I put a lot of effort in passing a message through my art but I also understand that art is dynamic, people make their own meaning.
How has your artistic practice accompanied you as an immigrant?
Being an immigrant in Canada it feels like a restart. It is initially difficult, it requires a lot of focus. As an immigrant you’re busy with other responsibilities and as an artist the money will not come automatically. As time goes on, you’re more settled, you have a clearer vision so it becomes easier.
I haven’t had time to put all my attention and time into my practice since moving to Canada and I’m still getting familiar with this new city. However, ICAI has been a great supporter of my practice and it motivates me to do more.
What advice would you give to newcomers and immigrant artists on how to get opportunities?
Just focus on what you’re doing and keep creating; focus on your process, and on creating quality works –that will stand the test of time–. It is not easy, but the current opportunities I’m experiencing, like with ICAI’s Open Spaces, are results of works that I made in the past, in the dark and in silence. If you worry about success or money, it’s like putting the car before the horse. So enjoy the process, keep creating and pour your inspiration into your art.
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