Nigerian creative artist Olatunde Emmanuel has developed an innovative technique of converting natural clay into paint for contemporary portraits, promoting the use of locally sourced materials in the country’s art industry.
Emmanuel said his interest in clay painting began in childhood after he noticed clay leaving stains on a canvas-covered table. The idea resurfaced while studying painting at the HND level, where he learnt how natural materials such as soil, plants, rocks and shells could be used in traditional paint production.
He now sources clay from settlements and ceramics outlets, processes it and combines its natural pigments with ceramic oxides and binding agents to produce paint suitable for canvas. According to him, the resulting paint has a distinctive matte appearance and offers an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional commercial paints.
Emmanuel said greater exploration of Nigeria’s natural resources could encourage innovation and create opportunities for young people, but noted that funding remained a major challenge for creatives developing such ideas on a larger scale. He called for government agencies and organisations to support research, testing and development, while urging young artists to keep learning, experimenting and remaining persistent in their craft.
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