‘Miracle Leaf is about transformation of an artist, and its impact on works I create’

For one week, Josiah C. Josiah, a Lagos-based contemporary visual artist, who majors in painting, invited the public to his open studio, where the focus shifted from metropolitan noise to a tranquil location, from just painting to nature, from art enterprise to conversation and appreciation of the environment.

In this interview, the young artist shares with OBINNA EMELIKE, who partook in the open studio titled “The Miracle Leaf” and curated by Ugo Ahiakwo, the rationale for the outing, why the leaf matters, the body of work created from the theme, his art and passion, methodology, parents and boyhood wish for priesthood, among others.

For those meeting you for the first time, who really is Josiah C. Josiah?

My name is Josiah C. Josiah. I am a visual artist based in Lagos State, South-West.

What is the concept of the studio visit and why is it themed ‘Miracle Leaf’?

Miracle Leaf is a leaf that represents resilience, passion for life and passion to heal. The leaf reflects on the survival of an individual. No matter the environment you find yourself, it emphasizes on adaptation to your environment without unnecessary complaints.

Medically, ‘Miracle Leaf’ has many health potentials. I explore the leaf to produce herbal tea, which is beneficial to my health.

Psychologically, ‘Miracle Leaf’ is about the transformation of an artist, its impact on the works I produce and studying of different plants and grasses- the green, flowers and their atmospheric influence on our environment and health.

It is also about individual ecosystem. As individuals, we should understand leaves in our environment and explore them for our health benefits.

With the above, are you implying that art interacts with nature?

Yes. Art digs and interrogates nature and its potential. It admires the language of the earth. As an artist, I am in tune with the principles of the earth and nature such as trees and plants. This gives me the feelings to stick more to nature, which I am gladly doing now.

How do people interact with your art to appreciate the concept and message, like in the ‘Miracle Leaf’?

It depends on the individual. My works are open field for individuals to see and understand their life-journey. My works are vessels to help in directing people towards what they are looking for.

Most often, I get remarks from my patrons about how different my works are. Sometimes, some people are not comfortable with my works mainly because of the unconventional ideas I employ in my production. I have a lot of audience who criticize my works.

While some criticize my works, probably because of what they don’t understand like in the ‘Miracle Leaf’, some other appreciate my efforts. I feel that some of my lecturers and mentors will be proud of my works, though they may not be like theirs because of the path and approach.

What about exhibitions?

I have had solo exhibition and also participated in group exhibitions. I participated in art exhibition at Alliance Francis Ikoyi, Lagos in 2023. The exhibition was titled “Unraveled”. There was another exhibition at Rele Gallery at Ikoyi in December, 2025. In 2020 I participated in group exhibition in Abuja.

As for solo exhibition, I have done two exhibitions in my studio in partnership with Signature Art Gallery and Rele Gallery.

Which of your works has made the most commercial success?

I am not sure that I have had the best work. I might have created incredible works but each work I make is unique in its own nature and offers special values. So far, I have not painted the best work.

Why the passion for art?

For me, arts is a way of life. It is my power to express myself in any perspective. Arts challenges my character and views of the world. It gives me the edge to investigate about ideas or the environment I find myself.

Where did you train and how did it influence your art?

I studied at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. I majored in painting. I was drilled with the application of colours. I use colours to describe different meanings to emotions, time and also how to be a working artist; be able to work anywhere, in any mode.

The influence is obvious, especially in the way I work with time. My lecturers at Auchi Polytechnic were thorough and intentional in handling us as students. They showed practicality and ability in molding me artistically.

I can work on canvas without limiting the process. I was inculcated with the discipline of arts, to study, interrogate and interact. I explore arts through colours and plants. I use arts ideas to study plants to understand how they interact with our ecosystem.

What is your creative technique?

For me, materiality comes from the mind. It is not just a physical object. It starts from thoughts, ideas or an interpretation. Most times, I use pigment and charcoal when I draw. At another time, I could infuse fabrics and threads, depending on the kind of idea I want to portray at the moment and what I want to create.

Materiality, for me, begins with ideas before it translates to physical content.

How long have you been an artist?

I started selling arts right from school. But if it is how long I have been in the business of arts in Lagos, I can say eight years now.

Did your family support your dream of becoming an artist?

When it comes to arts, most parents have reservations about their children studying arts in school. At first, most parents will frown at the children. I remember when I told my parents that I wanted to study Fine Art. Their reaction was not encouraging. I had a meeting with my father and he asked me how profitable and lucrative art was for my sustainability in life.

My parents wanted me to be a priest, and as a boy, I also wanted to be a priest. But I changed my mind along the line and opted to become an artist. At first, my parents objected and eventually agreed with me when I gained admission.

If you were not an artist, what would you have been?

I would have been doing a lot of things if I were not an artist. I had interest in priesthood, a military personnel, transporter, actor and photography. Yes, I do photography because you know that photography is arts too. Right now, I am a farmer too.