We recently had the opportunity to speak with the talented Janet Adegoke, an artist whose work delves deep into themes of empowerment, resilience, and the complexities of womanhood. Her journey from hobbyist to professional artist, driven by personal loss and a newfound sense of purpose, has resulted in stunning pieces that celebrate the strength and vulnerability of women. In this interview, Janet shares the powerful inspiration behind her art and her mission to encourage self-acceptance and healing. Let’s hear what she had to say.
artdey: Can you tell us about your journey from viewing art as a hobby to pursuing it professionally in 2020? What was the turning point that made you decide to take this path seriously?
Janet Adegoke: The story of me taking my art career professionally is actually a sober one laden with sadness and a twinge of nostalgia. I had taken an interest in art from primary school through secondary school, but it was just a hobby—a little sketch here and there, nothing serious. However, in university, I delved into fashion illustrations, abstract art, calligraphy, and anatomical illustrations since I was in the basic medical sciences faculty.
In August 2020, my father passed away, and his death had a very deep effect on me. During the burial, I looked into his grave and was full of so much sorrow. I had always dreamed of him attending one of my art exhibitions, but I had never taken my art seriously, and now he was gone. I felt horrible. I also realized that one day I would be in a coffin, and the longer I delayed taking my art career seriously, the longer I was indirectly wasting my potential.
Between 2020 and now, in 2024, my art has been featured in more than five exhibitions, and my dad isn’t here to see it. Every time I exhibit, I keep wondering—what if I had started earlier?
artdey: Your work emphasizes empowerment and self-acceptance for women, presenting the female form as "broken but whole." What inspired this focus, and how do you translate such complex emotions into your artwork?
Janet Adegoke: While growing up, I was surrounded by a lot of “aunties,” and I studied how each of them navigated their life issues. I drew a lot of strength and self-realization from their experiences. The divorced aunty, the aunty facing domestic violence, the aunty who was looking for a child, the aunty who watched her father marry another woman and kick her and her mom out when she was so young, the aunty who was fighting for her career. I realized that these women were broken but whole. They had pains, struggles, hopes, and dreams, yet they soldiered on each day, pushing hard to fight societal pressures and live up to their own expectations.
I watched the impact of societal prejudices in play with the women in my life. I saw how the dynamics of marriage, love, childbirth, career pursuit, and self-acceptance echoed daily in their lives and in my life as well. I realized that we are all products of our background, societal bias, and personal work.
I Will Bloom While I Wait, 2023
artdey: You've been featured in both local and international publications, like Aké Review and ShoutOut Miami. How has this exposure influenced your perspective on art, especially in connecting with audiences outside your country?
Janet Adegoke: The features so far have broadened my horizons mentally and artistically. They’ve made me realize that art speaks beyond words and resonates with people’s minds on a level that the artist who created the work can't predict or control.
artdey: In a world where cultural expectations often shape identity, how do you hope your art will impact women in your community and beyond in terms of self-expression and acceptance?
Janet Adegoke: I want my art to help women accept their stories and draw strength and healing. I want women to accept their brokenness and struggles. Their divorce, their history of abuse, their struggles to have a child, the fight to be relevant in their career, and so on. I want women to know that going through a negative or terrible experience doesn't mean your whole life should be shaped negatively by it. You can always pick up your broken pieces and become whole again.
artdey: What advice would you give to other female African artists who are navigating their creative journey, especially those who may feel limited by cultural expectations or societal norms?
Janet Adegoke: My advice is “never give up, keep pursuing!” When I was younger, some people saw it as weird that I was trying to learn art as a woman. To this day, when people stumble across my Instagram page, some express shock that the pieces on my page were created by a woman. I’ve received Instagram DMs with comments like, “Your work is amazing for a woman,” or, “I can’t believe you did this, and you’re a woman.” We have so many ceilings to break and records to set. We must not give up.
Adegoke’s art is a powerful reflection of strength, healing, and empowerment. Her work serves as a beautiful reminder of the resilience women possess, making it an ideal addition to any collection. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of her inspiring journey—shop Janet’s collection on artdey.com and bring home a gift that will empower and uplift.