Watching Raheemat’s evolution as an artist has been nothing short of magical. From freehand sketches to vivid canvas paintings and even a dabble into digital art, her instagram art page (@artbyrahh) is setting out like a visual diary. Every piece she shares tells a story, a reflection of her surroundings and trust me, you need to hear it.
When we were planning May’s Creative Spotlight, there was no debate, Raheemat had to be it. One look at her work and the whole team was like “Yep, she’s the one” and here we are!
This Unilag law student isn’t just cramming case law, she’s breaking new grounds in the art scene.
With major wins in just the first quarter, we’re excited to share her story, hustle and what’s next. Stay tuned campers!
Q: How would you describe your current state of mind?
This is a hard-hitter first question. At this moment, I feel overwhelmingly grateful and am reeling in an abundance mindset. The future looks bright and everything feels positively possible. It’s really great, and I’m very excited!
Q: What type of art do you create? How would you describe your work?
My art comes from finding beauty in my everyday lived experiences. The special but seemingly mundane things we tend to overlook. Before I seriously ventured into painting, there was photography, all because I love capturing beautiful moments. Being an artist is the best way I’ve found to do so.
Art has always been a means of expression for me – a way to translate what I see or feel into something tangible. It’s something that calms me. I’m always inspired by life and the people around me, and I think that’s pretty cool.
Q: What first drew you to art, and when did you realize it was your path?I’ve been a very creative person since childhood. All my siblings are creatives in different forms. I think there’s something about my family’s genes or how we were raised, but that creative spirit has always been there. I used to doodle on my class notes and make sketches everywhere, so it’s nothing new.
With persistence and joy in creating, pursuing art was almost a no-brainer, and having support from friends and family definitely made the journey easier. I’m still charting my course, but I’m serious about showing up for my art and optimistic about where it takes me. It’s exciting to look forward to the growth to come.
Q: Did you have formal training, or are you self-taught?
I’m primarily self-taught. As a teenager, I drew and painted from memory. When I decided to pursue art more seriously, I started by recreating 60-second painting videos from Instagram and TikTok, and painting pictures of skies and trees.
I do dream of taking formal courses in the future. Whether textiles, pottery, or linocut. I’d pursue that in a heartbeat when the opportunity comes.
Q: What makes your art style stand out?
People often say it’s how I use colors. As the artist, I can’t pinpoint one thing – it’s a mix of colors, my eye for detail, love for nature, even how I hold my brushes. Everything feels like moving parts working together, and it always turns out well.
Q: This year you’ve been selected to feature in The Custodian Mag, praised and hired by Uzo Njoku (Uzo Art) and have received a grant. How does this phase feel?
It feels absolutely insane! It’s overwhelming how everything came together so quickly – I barely had time to process it. And with more attention comes more vulnerability about my art, but I remind myself that to be great, you must allow yourself to be seen.
This phase pushes me to work harder because I know what I want for my life and art. I just need to keep moving forward – the path will align.
Q: Where have you exhibited, and can we expect more shows this year?
My first exhibition was in October 2024 – “Words on Show,” a literary and visual art exhibition where artists created works inspired by short stories. It was fun exploring something new.
As someone who used to attend exhibitions and ask artists questions, it was strange being on the other side. But I loved every moment. Discussing my art helped me discover new things about my work and process.
I hope to participate in more exhibitions this year. I’ve been sending applications – something’s bound to click soon.
Q: What do you aim to achieve with your art?
So many things! Primarily, I want to create art that’s self-sustainable – one that resonates with others and has a life beyond me. I want it to conjure feelings in people, like how other artists’ work affects me.
I also want to focus on vulnerability. I’m in a phase where I want to wear my heart on my sleeve through my art – translating what I feel into visuals.
Most importantly, I want my art to build my life. I want it to create an everlasting drive that helps me navigate the world’s challenges. The dream is to create constantly.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a Nigerian artist?
The economic situation is the first challenge. Like all Nigerians, rising costs affect everything and thus, art supplies have quadrupled in price recently.
But asides that, I’m lucky to have supportive people around me who believe in my art. I haven’t faced anything too extreme in my journey, and for that, I’m grateful.
Q: What would you say to young artists doubting their path?
Keep making the art you want to make!!! It sounds simple, but we often dilute ourselves with others’ expectations and perceptions. Fight to get out of that perception of what you think your art ”should” be, and focus on creating what you truly love.
Be open to new experiences and tap into your vulnerability. Overall, give yourself opportunities to try, because you really miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Believe the world will move for you, then push hard. I’m pretty sure everything will work out for the best, just keep showing up for your art!
Like many young Nigerian artists, Raheemat has had her share of rejections and faced challenges in a country that often overlooks creative careers but her journey is a testament that persistence pays off.
We’re sharing her journey to tell other artists to keep the brushes gliding, your work matters. We can’t wait to see her new paintings, more exhibitions and especially the UzoArt exhibition project she’ll be managing this year. Her success proves that talent and consistency can shine through any challenge. Thank you for reading campers! and stay tuned for her video interview. See you next time!
2 Responses
Looking forward to what they do next! Well done Raheemat!
this was a really nice read