One Day : Tejumola Adenuga aka. Butler Archive - Artist
Photo : Flora Scott
Location : London, UK
Profession / passion : Fine artist and Designer
Website : www.butlerarchive.com
Instagram : @butlerarchive
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together.
We will continue to post One Day every Wednesday going forward. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
A tune everyone should experience.
Cómo Me Quieres by Khruangbin
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
I trained as a designer, specialising in graphics so sketching became second nature. I was doing a lot of drawings / paintings of friends as a free time hobby which had a bigger reception than I anticipated, this catapulted into the fine art world with design being a secondary profession I practice. The switch was weird at first but I think I have embraced it fully over the past year.
How do you want people to react to your work / passion?
I tend to make my work technically impressive - I just want a “wow!” moment, even if just for a second. That one second that they are not thinking about anything else but just the work and maybe even see a reflection of themselves metaphorically. There’s a lot going in the world right now and I would hope I can provide solace with my practice, even if its just for a short moment.
How has the current situation affected how you work?
I have strangely enjoyed the quiet time during this lockdown, there’s just less noise and it was all about it work - I also managed to stay financially afloat which was a plus. I never craved going back to “normal”, because normal wasn’t all good and we all collectively need to do better, especially addressing issued related to racial discrimination, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.
What is the most inspiring text you read recently?
“Communicate. Even when it’s uncomfortable or uneasy. One of the best ways to heal, is simply getting everything out.”
Describe a smell that brings back memories to you.
The smell of wet soil, reminds me of growing cassava and corn in a hidden clearing at my boarding school in Lagos, Nigeria.
Your best trait?
I think I give really good advice.
What traits do you treasure in other people?
Honesty.
Your most treasured possession?
My MacBook I would say, it would be the first thing I save “in a fire”. I should back it up more often though.
What was the most defining moment in your life?
I went through a health scare earlier this year, definitely changed a lot of my perspective.
Who do you miss?
My younger brother, we aren’t on talking terms but I do miss him a lot.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
I did a perfume workshop last year, it was super fun. I realised the profound importance of scent and how it feeds into your subconscious.
How do you relax?
I binge watch a tv series or just nap or both. If I am feeling fancy I go for a spa treatment.
If you were forced to sit still for one month straight without pursuing your current profession, how would you spend your time?
If I could use my hands? I would make a lot of pottery.
Should calm come from within or be facilitated by the environment?
I would say both.