For Nigerian visual artist Gbemisola Joseph Dairo, popularly known as Jopee, the journey into art was never accidental. Raised in a culturally rich household that embraced creativity and discipline in equal measure, Jopee’s story is one of self-discovery and purposeful rebellion against societal expectations.
“I grew up in a very typical African family,” he said, reflecting on his formative years. “My father was both a disciplinarian and a lover of the performing arts. He came from a lineage of native drummers who served in the palace at Ife.” From that early exposure to music and culture, Jopee developed a strong sense of artistic identity. But his path was not linear.
Although he went on to study Mass Communication, a decision heavily influenced by his father, the pull of the creative world never left him. “Love always finds its way back,” he said. After a brief stint as an on-air personality, Jopee rediscovered his love for visual arts just before the pandemic lockdown. With guidance from a friend who introduced him to digital design, he began to blend photography, African fabric motifs, and cultural storytelling into a distinct visual style.
Today, Jopee is known for his digital art that centres on Black identity and African narratives. His works have crossed borders, gaining recognition in Ghana, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, yet he remains rooted in the continent. “I believe the purpose of my talent is to help perpetuate the glory of motherland Africa,” he said. “Success to me is excelling at purpose, not just looking for white collaborators in Europe.”
But even as he gains international acclaim, Jopee remains deeply aware of the systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s creative economy. According to him, talent is not the issue, it is the system that fails to empower it. “Our educational system should focus on talent development. People should not graduate just to work under those who never schooled,” he noted. He advocates for accessible grants, affordable loans, and better infrastructure to support young creatives in Nigeria.
His advice to younger artists is as practical as it is inspiring. “Do what you love, and be diligent,” he said. “Build in your own circle. There is something wrong with creatives who do not want to start from where they are or with who they have.” Jopee believes success does not always lie abroad, and that real growth often begins in one’s immediate environment, surrounded by friends, small opportunities, and the will to stay consistent.
His message of identity makes Jopee Dairo a force. As he continues to grow his brand and impact, he remains committed to reshaping how Africa sees itself and how the world sees Africa, not through borrowed lenses, but from the bold view of those who live its truth every day.
