I DON'T WOMANISE, I JUST HUMANISE
By LUKMON BUSARI
Friday, January 28, 2005

Remember those illustrations that adorn some of the album sleeves of the late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. If they had not come from the genuis of a great illustrator, perhaps, they had the weird touch of a maverick artiste like Fela himself. Surprisingly, the deft hands that churned out those works was that of Lemi Ghariokwu, who, like a lead actor in a movie, came face-to-face with destiny the day Fela commissioned him to design the sleeve of his popular record, Alagbon Close. Although the latter was a musician, and the former an artist, Fela's meeting with Ghariokwu was a meeting of great minds and the fusion of their arts opened a new chapter in the history of album-packaging in Nigeria.

Lemi, now a celebrated record sleeves designer, fine artist, graphic artist and an illustrator met Fela when the fame of the latter as social crusader and political activist was on the rise. It can be recalled that at 18, Lemi had the rare opportunity to Alagbon Close, the album in which Fela rebuked military attack on his Kalakuta Republic in 1974. Since then, there had been no going back for the Delta-born artist. Lemi's pioneering effort in album sleeves'design in the country has produced over 2000 record sleeves for indigenous and foreign artistes, thirty years into the business. He spoke to Daily Sun on Fela, his influence, his works, parting with Fela and plans to re-introduce creativity to sleeves' design even in this computer age.


Background
I was born and raised in Lagos. Although, my parents hail from Delta State, I can hardly speak the language. Anyway, I see myself as a Lagosian. I came into this world to learn from my immediate environment and the diaspora. I do not believe too much in formal education. I believe that education is a continuous process. I am a student of University of Life. I attended Bishop Oluwole Memorial School, Agege. Then, my parents relocated to Akoka and I had to change to Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Akoka. From there, I went to Yaba College of Technology, Secondary School Section. By the time I finished secondary school, my mind had blown up enough to realise my purpose in life. Since then, I have been a student of the University of Life.


Fela's influence on my education
I wanted to study Art in a university or a college of technology, but Fela asked me to consider his own life. He was sent to England to study Medicine but he ended up studying Music. So he was taught classical music, Oyinbo music. He came back and he started playing Afro-Jazz kind of highlife. He couldn't compete with Rex Lawson, who didn't attend any formal school. Eventually, his mum advised him to play something indigenous that his people could understand and identify with. So he created Afrobeat and he started singing in Pidgin English and Yoruba. So when he sang people could hardly believe that he studied in England.He said if I should go to the university to study art, I would be taught Italian art and it will affect my originality. He said I should buy books and pick what I need. And that's what I did. My friends and parents thought I was crazy. I had to develop some will power and courage. Some people said that I was following Fela, and I had started smoking Igbo. But today, I am very proud because everywhere I go I am told that my style is too unique, original. I am not condemning western education. Some people are meant to go to school while others are to go to the school of hard knocks, the real school.


Religion
When we talk about religion, I don't believe in institutionalized religion. So, I do not practice any institutionalised religion. I am not a Christian, neither a Muslim, nor a pagan. I'm not an Africanist either. I believe in the universe.


Inspiration
Inspiration comes from your immediate environment if you are observant enough. If you are calm enough to listen and reason and be in tune with the infinite source that is within every human entity. So my inspiration comes from people who had been before me and had left behind legacies for me. Specifically, I was born with a pan-African frame of mind. In the 1960s, I fell in love with Malicent Small. She had a huge hit in the 1960s with Lolly Pop in England. Cadbury brought her here on a promotional tour in 1964 to promote Bournvita. And I felt really proud to see an African accorded international recognition. There was also Mariam Makeba. In the 1970s I was of age when George Jackson was killed in the United States. I was deeply touched by the incidents of racial segregation and all that. So, by 1974 when I met Fela, it was easy for me to relate with what he was saying.


Sleeve designing
I never knew that designing album sleeves could be a career neither did I know that I would pioneer it in Nigeria. That happened in 1974. That was the year I came face-to-face with my destiny. There were two major incidents that hastened that. You would remember that that was the year Bruce Lee's box office hit, Enter the Dragon was released. Then, I used to do portraits. There was a beer palour next to my building, and the man who owned the place requested me to do a painting of the poster of Bruce Lee's popular film, Enter the Dragon for him. I did it and he hung it in the beer palour. Secondly, when Fela released his album entitled Roforofo Fight in 1974, I was looking at the album sleeve and a voice said to me, "Why didn't you do a drawing to illustrate this Roforofo Fight ?". I did that and I kept the work in my portfolio. So, a journalist; Babatunde Harrison of Sunday Punch had just returned from the United States. He was coming to take a beer at that joint. When he saw the Bruce Lee poster, he told me that he wanted to meet the guy who did it. After seeing me, he told me that he would like to see my other drawings which I brought out for him. In that portfolio, he saw the Roforofo Fight cover that I designed. He was surprised and asked me if I could design covers. He told me that two days earlier, he and Fela were discussing the idea of illustrating Fela's covers because it was really getting political. But I thought he was drunk. Two days later, he asked to draw Fela's portrait for a test. After I had completed the job, he took me to Fela. Meeting Fela, I could not believe it was real. About three weeks after, Fela's house was attacked and he was hospitalised at LUTH. When the journalist came, I asked after Fela's health and we went to his hospital bed. It was there that he discussed his new song on his experience at Alagbon. That was the song Alagbon Close. That was my first attempt at doing an album sleeve and both the album and sleeve design were hits. As a result, journalists were writing about the artworks on the sleeve. That was how I found myself in that field from which I have earned a living for thirty years now.


Marijuana
Experience has shown that people derive inspiration from different sources. Some people need to spike the system in order to get inspired. Some need to drink or smoke. But me, I was born a teetotaller and I am still one. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't womanise but I humanize. I don't believe too much in external influence. Also I don't judge people based on what they drink or smoke.


Working for Fela
I did not work for Fela, I worked with him because his was movement from the universe. It's been pre-ordained that my path would cross with Fela's for the purpose of celebrating Africa. I told you that I am a pan-Africanist. I didn't get that from Fela. And that is why we are able to combine to that extent. Fela had his own character, we are two different entities but we had a purpose. I was close to Fela for four years, 1974-1978. We still worked together in the 1990s but we were not as close as before. It was more like a business relationship.


Why I parted with Fela
It was because we were two different characters. It got to a stage my character was clashing with his. So, I felt that if the mountain would not leave Mohammad, Muhammad should leave the mountain. So we had to step aside for peace to prevail. That is how I will like to put it. Fela is a genius, an iconoclast, a humanist, a liberator, a maverick, many things rolled into one. Creative geniuses, when they get to their heights, they are eccentric in nature. They can not behave like normal human beings because they are supranormal.


Fela's album sleeves designed
I specifically designed 26 albums covers for Fela's music between 1974 and 1993. They include Alagbon Close (1974), No Bread, JJC, Everything Scatter, Zombie, Kalakuta Show, Yellow Fever, Upside down, Beast of no nation, Confusion break bone, Overtake don overtake, overtake, No agreement, Fear not for man, Stalemate, among others.


Challenges
The challenges I faced in those days concerned how I would be able to illustrate the covers successfully. Today, the challenges I face is more on the global scene, the global market. I am trying to reach out to the global market. The world is my oyster. I travel in-and-out. You see, we have remained in this mental slavery for too long.


Exhibitions
There was a Black President Exhibition going on around the world. The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, that was the title of the exhibition. It's about Fela's life. There is this guy called Trevor Schumacher. He is just 32 years old. He has dedicated the last six years to the project. The first exhibition took place in New York last year. Because I designed most of Fela's album covers, I was part of the exhibition.

My solo exhibition was called PEACE, an acronym for Pictorial Evolution Acknowledging Conscious Emancipation. The exhibition was held in London.


Insuring art works
Definitely, the idea is good. In Africa, we say God is our insurance. But heaven helps those who help themselves. An artwork is a very valuable commodity. A lot of people invest in art. It appreciates in value even more than real estates with time. When the artist dies, his value increases so much. So, a lot of people buy artworks for keeps. Why it is good to insure artworks is that, in case they get stolen. It's like insuring your house or car against any eventuality. All my works are insured, so it's good.


Future plans
I wish to take my works around the world, spread my philosophy. That's my dream. So, that's the fulfilment of my destiny. Nigerian society worships money and materials but I'm not crazy about all that. Money will come later.


Awards
I have received several awards such as the Nigerian Music Awards, FAME Music Awards. Twice, I was nominated by each of the organisers of the awards.


Computer advent
Yes, you have to be smart. In 1992, a friend of mine came and said I should buy a computer that with the way technology was going graphic designing would be done on computer. He told me I might be left behind if I didn't learn computer. So, I bought a computer in 1992 and I learnt corel draw. That's what I've survived on till date. All these new graphics done on the works of Tony Tetuila, Eedris, and others were done on the computer. So my company handles designing and printing. The advent of computer has brought about a decline in creativity. The essence of real creativity has been slowed down. You know that some of these new artistes don't even have strong lyrical contents. So what am I to illustrate in that? It's like when I came back to Nigeria and I listened to Eedris Abdulkareem's song "Jagajaga", I told myself, this would be something good to illustrate. So, I did it.


Relaxation
I have been a workaholic. So, I work and when I'm working, I'm playing. I listen to music, I read and make researches. I don't really socialise because I get bored easily. I don't drink, I don't smoke so what am I doing with leisure?


Philosophy
Simplicity. Just be simple. I don't like Shakara. I don't want to carry loads on my shoulder. In this society, we are too conscoius of power.


Prospects for my works
Already, the University of Mainz, Germany had started using my works as theses for close to 15 years now. I've started giving lectures on my works and all that because, I want to leave behind the legacy for the coming generations

8.   Created and Pioneered the use of Compact Disc Envelope Packs for the Music Industry, via Kennis Music in Nigeria, 1999.
9.   First Art Exhibition titled 'Lagos Art' and painting of Mural titled 'Welikom 2 Lay-gh-Us!' at the Maison De France, Lagos, curated by Pascal Littelier, November 13 - December 9, 2001.
10. Ninja Tunes Records, Toronto, Canada, commissions Lemi to design Antibalas' 'Talkatif' Album Cover, 2002.
11. 'Lagos: Past and Present' Group Exhibition, Muson Art Festival Week, Muson Center, Lagos, curated by Chike Uwaogudu, May, 2002
12. Note Blu Records, Paris, France, commissions Lemi to design Majik Malik Orchestra's '001' Album, July, 2002.
13. 'Lagos: Past and Present' Group Exhibition, Nimbus Art Center, Lagos, curated by Chike Uwaogudu, October 1, 2002
14. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of  Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group Exhibition at New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, curated by Trevor Schoonmaker, July 11 - September 28, 2003
15. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in 2 books by curator, Trevor Schoonmaker: 'Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti' and 'FELA: From West Africa To West Broadway', published by Palgrave Publishers, New York, 2003
16. Speaker at 'Conversation with The Artists' Seminar at New Museum of
      Contemporary Art, New York, anchored by Trevor Schoonmaker, July 17, 2003
17. Solo Exhibition/Fund Raising at the 'Jump N' Funk', Martinez Gallery, Brooklyn,
      New York, curated by Louis Martinez, July 27, 2003
18. The New Museum of Contemporary Art's Youth Council: Guest Artist Workshop  
      with Ghariokwu Lemi, co-ordinated by Li sumpter, August, 2003
19. First Painting in the US,'Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody' comissioned by Mark
      Rosenthal, President/CEO MTV Networks, August 2003
20. Critical Voices Series: Black President: Personal Perspectives on Fela, panelists at
      New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, anchored by Trevor Schoonmker,
      September 4, 2003
21. Workshop with kids at the October Gallery's Black Art Expo Fair, Temple University,
      Philadelphia, co-rdinated by Li Sumpter, November 7, 2003
22. Painting Completed and handed over at MTV Headquarters, Broadway, New
      York, December, 2003
23. 'Works On Paper' Group Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery, Brooklyn, New York,
      curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg, January 23 - March 7, 2004
24. Exhibitor at the African Literature Association, 30th Anniversary Conference:
      Verbal Performance & Visual Cultures, University of Wisconsin, Madison, hosted
      by Prof. Tejumola Olaniyan, April 14 - 18, 2004 
25. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group
      Exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, curated by Trevor 
      Schoonmaker, April 17 - July 4, 2004                                                       
26. 'Sadie Hawkins Dance' Group Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery, Brooklyn, New
      York, curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg, May 21- July 4, 2004
27. First Screening and interactive session of 'Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody', a
      'Ghariokwu Lemi Story', short Documentary on Lemi's Painting by Aaron Konis-
      berg at the Jump N' Funk, Coral Room, Manhattan, New York, May 28, 2004
28. Afrika Mundos Cultural Expo features Ghariokwu Lemi's works, Sao Paulo, Brasil
      June 25 - 27, 2004
29. Stussy International Clothing Company, USA, commissions Lemi to do 4 Drawings
      For Special Edition Tee-Shirt Prints for their 25th Anniversary, August 2004
30. Painting of 'The Big Fela Story' Illustration commissioned by Guardian UK, Sept-
      ember 2004
31. Ghariokwu Lemi named 'King of Covers' by The Observer Music Monthly, Sept-
      ember 2004
32. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group
      Exhibition at Barbican Art Gallery, London, curated by Trevor Schoonmaker,
      September 9 - October 24, 2004
33. The Art of Ghariokwu Lemi: P. E. A. C. E (Pictorial Evolution Acknowledging 
      Conscious Emancipation) First Solo Exhibition in the UK at The Spitz Gallery,
      London, curated by Debbie Sealy, September 23 - October 17, 2004
34. First UK screening of "Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody", documentary on Lemi's
      Painting by Aaron Konisberg at the Spitz Gallery, London, October 1, 2004
35. Ether Records, UK, commissions Lemi to design Gilles Peterson's 'In Africa' Album
      Cover, November 2004.
36. Bukka - a collective of London-based African Architects and Designers presents:
      Ghariokwu Lemi, creator of Afrobeat Music's most provocative and inspirational
      Album Covers: Lecture/Workshop, The Gallery, London, co-ordinated by Godson
      Egbo, December 3, 2004.
37. Special Guest at the Zanzibar Club's 'Afrika Night', Los Angeles, December 9, 2004
38. Gilles Peterson Cover Art completed and handed over to Ether Records, January 2005
39. Stussy Tee Arts completed and handed over, February 2005
40. Museum Of Modern Arts, New York (MOMA) acquires Ghariokwu Lemi's drawing
     "ANODA SYSTEM" for its collection, June 2005
41. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in the book 'Lagos - A City At Work', published by
      Glendora Books, Lagos, Nigeria, 2005
42. Lecture on 'Sanitizing The Society Via Creativity' at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,
      Abeokuta, Campus Players Youth Club's 3rd Anniversary 'Talents' Day', November
      9, 2005
43. First Nigeria screening and interactive session of 'Everybody's Gotta Be
      Somebody', a 'Ghariokwu Lemi Story', short Documentary on Lemi's Painting by 
      Aaron Konisberg at the Tanjia Restaurant's "Expression Night", Lagos, April 4, 2006.           
44. EYES OF AFRICA - Group Exhibition - Buntingford - Curated by Liz Bagnal - United 
      Kingdom, - July 2006
45. POLITICAL CARTOONS FROM NIGERIA - Solo Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery,
      Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg,  
      November 10 - December 17, 2006
46. Special guest at first official screening of "FELA: FRESH FROM AFRICA" a
      documentary by Jaheed Ashley, produced by Sahara Organization, at Brooklyn
      Academy of Music (BAM), December 2, 2006
47. Art Workshop with Nina Talbot and 6th Graders of PS 67 School, Brooklyn, New 
      York, December 14, 2006
48. Art Workshop with Rosse Mary Taveras (CUBRAITI) and 6th and 7th Graders of PS
      252 School, Saratoga, Brooklyn, New York, January 2, 2007
49. The Artist Network in New York presents "AMERIKKA" Group Exhibition
      featuring Ghariokwu Lemi, The Artist Network Gallery 424, Broadway, Manhattan,
      New York. curated by Mariko Tanaka and Raul Zemudia. January 19th - February
      16th 2007
50. The Artist Network presents second annual benefit show and silent auction
      "MEMEMTO MORI" featuring 45 emerging New York and International Artists 
      including Ghariokwu Lemi, The Artist Network Gallery 424, Broadway, Manhattan,
      New York. Curated by Mariko Tanaka. February 21st - March 18th 2007
51. Made Art Director for Nigerian Music Awards, February 2007
52. Designs Akoya Afrobeat's "PDP" cover, February, 2007
53. Panelist at Nigerian Art Stakeholders' Conference, Didi Museum, Victoria Island,
      Lagos. March 30, 2007
54. Creates the new trophy called 'Maestro' for Nigerian Music Awards, April, 2007
55. Chicago AfroBeat Project (CABP) chooses to use Ghariokwu Lemi's existing work, 
      "Lagos Sitty" as cover Art for their "A Move To Silent Unrest" album, July, 2007
56. DEF Foundation commissions Lemi to do 3 drawings for 'Hollywood Life' Ad.,
      September, 2007
57. Special guest and exhibitor at "FELABRATIONS '07" at The Sahara, West 45th
      Street, Manhattan, New York, hosted by Jaheed and Peeko Ashley, Saturday,
      October 13, 2007.
58. Exhibition of works at Stubbs Cafe, Main Street, Chicago, curated by Marshall
      Greenhouse, Friday October 19 - October 26, 2007
59. Special guest at Chicago Afrobeat Project "A Move To Silent Unrest" CD release
      party, Nite Club, Chicago, October 20, 2007
60. Art / Dance / Music Workshop with Rosse Mary Taveras and Marshall Greenhouse
      and music students, World percussion class of the after school matters program,
      Noble Street Charter School, Chicago, October 22, 2007
61. Art Workshop with Basha Alade and sixth graders of Club Brookdale, an afterschool
      program run by Brookdale Community College, Neptune Middle School in Neptune,
      New Jersey, November 28, 2007
62. Art Workshop with Leola Bermanzohn and art students of Bayridge Preparatory
      School, 4th Ave,m Brooklyn, New York, November 29, 2007
63. Exhibition of retrospective and new works titled DEMOCRAZY: FELA,
      GHARIOKWU LEMI AND THE ART OF THE ALBUM COVER curated by Bisi Silva
      at Center For Contemporary Art, 9, McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, Saturday,   
      December 8 - Sunday January 20, 2007
64. Guest Artist at gallery talk and interactive session "Artist Ghariokwu Lemi in
      conversation with Curator Bisi Silva", Center For Contemporary Art, 9, McEwen
      Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, Saturday, December 15, 2007
65. Guest artist and exhibitor at "EXPERIENCE NIGERIA 2007" exhibition, National 
      Museum, Onikan, Lagos. December 22 - 28, 2007
66. The Icebox Project group exhibition titled "From Tabu To Icon Africanist Turnabout"
      featuring Ghariokwu Lemi amongst others at the ice box project space of the Crane
      Arts building, philadelphia, January 10 - February 10, 2008
67. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in the book 'Area 2' cataloguing 100 emerging
      Artists from across the globe, published by Phaidon Press, New York, April 2008
68. Exhibition of retrospective and new works titled DEMOCRAZY: FELA,
      GHARIOKWU LEMI AND THE ART OF THE ALBUM COVER curated by Bisi Silva
      at Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos, Saturday,   
      April 26 - Saturday, May 17, 2008
69. The Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA), New York extends complimentary dual  
      lifetime membership to Ghariokwu Lemi in appreciation of haven his work in its
      Collection, May 29, 2008
70. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in Zina Saro-Wiwa's film "This Is My Africa",
      September 13, 2008
71. LAGOS: PARADIGM SHIFT - Art Exhibition of Design and Paintings by Ghariokwu    
      Lemi, Legendary Cover Artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer, at Harmattan
      Workshop Gallery, 10, Elsie Femi Pearse Str., Victoria Island, Lagos, curated by
      Chigaza Hanum, November 22 - November 28, 2008.
72. Closing Ceremony and Command performance of LAGOS: PARADIGM SHIFT - Art
      Exhibition of Design and Paintings by Ghariokwu Lemi, Legendary Cover Artist,
      Illustrator and Graphic Designer, at Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, curated by
      Chigaza Hanum, November 29, 2008.