MEET Ojo Taiye

Ojo Taiye is a young Nigerian artist who uses poetry as a tool to hide his frustration with society. He aims to amplify the experiences of minorities, creating greater awareness of the issues they face with regards to climate change, sustainability and social justice.

Who are you? What do you do?

Hi, my name is Taiye Ojo. I am based in Nigeria, West Africa. I have always been a literature enthusiast, although fate didn't allow me consider applying for a Literature related course, when I was filling my application form for courses to study at my alma mater.

I began my creative flourishing during my youth service days in Ikpayongo, Benue State. But I could not write poems. All I did then was scribbled-- a vent to all of my pent-up frustrations (lol!). I took to poetry when my mother died and it was one of the most traumatizing times of my life. Through poetry I started to heal, to remember, to explore my identity, using language to create an emotional effect, to reinvent tenderness as an act of joy.

Currently, I work at a government hospital as an adhoc / billing officer. I am attached to the medical records department. There, I see myself as part of a community, where my service goes beyond record-keeping and cataloguing to naming things, archiving stories, discussing ways in which hope and care impact lives, while also consciously interrogating what it means to be human.

What is your project about?

As an artist who firmly believes in the power of language, with a keen interest in collaboration, I learnt my energy to the ongoing climate debate, by focusing on climate futures and the attendant aftermath of global warming. In this particular commission, my role as a poet was to radically question the perspectives of the public's reluctance to say ''No'' to dirty energy. In addition, to shining a light on the ominous issues faced by climate refugees, I (together with Sean and Rory) also created a compelling work that combines poetry with video (using sensorily descriptive images as an act of solidarity, allowing viewers to engage with the villain, the victim, the solution, the disease, the symptom).

I created a series of poetic narratives focusing on climate futures, apathy and a generalized environment of climate disaster. It also, features an intriguing array of audio-visual projects, depicting a world in a constant flux of great turmoil.

Using my creativity to deftly explore the thorny subject of global heating, I wrote poems that would educate and promote climate action to stop the detrimental impacts of the sheer number of drought and blazes currently scorching the Earth.

Where do you currently work from?

I work remotely from Nigeria, West Africa. Fortunately, my neighborhood is a warm quiet space in the morning. I enjoy creating poetry that resonates with the ordinary person and reach as many audiences as I can.

What challenges are you facing?

My challenges aren't quite related to the project per say, since it's a cohort thingy. Actually, my only regret is that I wasn't able to participate fully (physically in a general sense) considering the fact that I live far-afield. Even though, there was this connection amongst us, I could still sense a void from my own end. However, I am still experimenting with the whole multiple perspectives and aesthetics, which I hope to get better at in the slight future.

What have you learnt in the Climate Change commission so far?

A lot actually. I discovered some new and interesting ways of telling a story, and in this case, a reminder that the hardwork of keeping our planet from becoming hell can't be put off any longer. Amazed at the power of collaboration and reflection, not to mention, the mentoring sessions which would be my first mentee experience.