Maryam Maigida is a 29-year-old visual artist, freelance painter, and arts historian from Yobe State. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University. Her studio, ‘The Art Cave Studio & Gallery’ is situated in Abuja. During her undergraduate days, she was the only female Muslim student in her class prospecting in a profession that is tabooed in the Northern part of Nigeria.
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As a woman, Maigida faced countless prejudice and serotype regarding her career path. She participated in several exhibitions in Nigeria and most recently in Apex Art, New York, Obsidian Group Exhibition Black History, London, and World Art Dubai, U.A.E. because her style of painting ranges from mixed media, near naturalism, and abstracts. With an emphasis on culturally inclined fabrics, motifs, and materials in the form of preserving culture with some of her crafts championing women’s rights, advocating for children’s rights and child abuse.
What led you to the arts?
I wanted to be an artist because it was the one thing, I was very good at. I have been drawing since when I was a little child the passion developed into my career.
What do your parents think about your chosen career, especially in Northern Nigeria, where women are excluded from certain professions?
My parents have been very supportive of my career choice, in fact, they encouraged me one hundred per cent, and provided me with all my art supplies, even when I was having a hard time in the university, they gave me hope, making me know I would be a very good artist in the future. They had people criticising them for letting me study fine arts, but it didn’t affect them at all.
For now, how many apprentices have you trained?
I have mentored about five people.
How many exhibitions have you displayed your works in?
I would say I have lost count. I have been exhibiting my artwork since my undergraduate.
In an interview you granted VOA. Did you state that the centre of your subject on rape, women’s empowerment, and women’s enlightenment?
Some parts of my works are inspired by human endeavours and my environment, I produced a painting about infant rape and also the rights of women in society because at that time I wanted to express my concern about the problem. a way of communicating a problem and possible solutions in society.
I viewed your works on Instagram. It seems you change work to another subjects?
On my Instagram page, there are different styles of painting because I am a diverse, multi-disciplinary artist… I explore several media to best portray my artworks. I also work on several commissions that have only aesthetic purposes. These paintings are usually for living rooms, hotels, schools, offices, and hospital spaces.
Who are your clients? How much is the average price of your work?
My clients are lovers of art and beauty. people who appreciate the aesthetics of art in their environment, such as newly wedded couples. Hotel owners and many more. My paintings range from 250,000 naira’s to above.
What are your goals as a Muslim lady and northerner in the arts?
I want to encourage as many Muslims as possible towards practicing art. as it’s earning is a halal source of income. I also want to show that apart from figurative art, which is not allowed in Islam, there are other areas we could explore and be successful in practising it. Given that I mix with people from different tribes and parts of the country and world, I want to give a good image of Islam, maintain good manners, and be sincere in my affairs and with people. I would say art is gradually penetrating into the hearts of Northerners as most of my clients are from the North.
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