Hi there!
While we are still catching our breaths from the +234 Art Fair, let’s talk about something that has been floating in my mind. This topic has always been a distant subject at the back of my mind, like a sharp piercing little light, flickering from a faraway land, waiting to explode.
Somehow from pen to paper, I finally found the right words to share this write-up.
Somewhere along the line, the word “creative” became the one-size-fits-all title for anyone doing anything remotely artistic. Writers, painters, singers, sculptors, dancers—we all got thrown under this big lazy umbrella called creatives. What even is that? And sure, there’s actually nothing wrong with that. It’s inclusive, it sounds trendy. I get it.
But lately, I’ve been wondering: when did being an artist stop feeling as remarkable as it should be? Why do we, as artists, now hesitate to call ourselves what we really are?
Last I checked, creative means having the ability to show imaginative skills and produce something novel, something original. I honestly don’t know why being an artist has been diluted to those terms in these times, it almost raises the conversation about the subpar nature of modern art as opposed to historical art… but that’s another story for another day.
In truth, there’s something powerful about owning the title artist. Saying, “I’m an artist,” feels direct and empowering. It feels proud. It says you create not just because it’s trendy, or because you can post it on Instagram, but because you believe in the work itself. Because you know the value of your vision and your art.
In a world where everyone is trying to create something—content, brands, buzz—it’s important to draw a line between art and the rest. Artists aren’t just creators of “content”; they are creators of experiences, wielders of emotions, masters of movements. Real artistry shakes people to their core. It leaves imprints strong enough to stay with people long after they double tap to like.
And here’s the thing, despite the sudden shift in title so to say, art is still celebrated more than ever. Galleries are opening doors wider. Local fairs, similar industries, and platforms like Getlit Africa are positioning artists in ways that promote art in all its glory.
It is for this reason, I believe artists should own their title boldly. There’s no need to water it down or blend it in simply because the word “creative” sounds easier in conversations. If you paint, you’re an artist. If you write, you’re a literary artist. If you build, sculpt or make people stare, breathe, and question their reality from an artistic perspective—you are an artist.
Being a creative is great.
But being an Artist?
That’s a Legacy.
So today, this is your reminder to own your art and stand by it.
Love,
Fefe.
