What can I say about Samson’s work except that it’s a marvel? I think this artist brilliantly illustrates the beauty of the black woman; with elegance, sensitivity, vulnerability, and poetry, all in simplicity.

I was delighted to meet Samson and discover his artistic universe during our video call, in a friendly, good-natured atmosphere.

Samson began his artistic journey at an early age. Like any self-respecting budding artist, he drew on everything and everywhere, which sometimes didn’t please his parents. As he grew older, he continued to nurture this passion but was confronted, as in many cases, with what I call the African family framework of excellence. A framework that includes doctors, lawyers, civil servants…but not artists.

Thus, our talented artist found himself working as a civil servant, sitting at a desk for long stretches of the day, before admitting to himself once and for all that he would never be happy there. His passion for art was growing and he needed to express it. He decided to quit his job to devote himself to his art and, some time later, his first sale of a piece made those around him realize that it was possible to make a living from art. From then on, people began to take him seriously. Today, Samson is a full-time artist.

He draws his inspiration mainly from women, particularly African women, whose courage, vulnerability, tenacity, and determination he admires, as well as from his relationship with them, in social, family, and intimate contexts. Through his works, Samson gives an allegorical representation of the African woman. For example, her white hair symbolizes wisdom, strength, assurance, power, charisma, and purity.

He wants to challenge traditional conceptions of femininity, showing that women can be both beautiful and strong, vulnerable and powerful, and that, above all, they are the bedrock of humanity, on which the growth of his country, Nigeria, of Africa, and the world, rests.

As a true gentleman, Samson wishes to continue to honor women through his art and to raise public awareness of the place they deserve in our global society, because, as the saying goes, behind every great man there is a woman.

Thank you very much, Samson, for this authentic conversation.

To purchase one or more of Samson’s marvelous works, contact him here: https://www.instagram.com/iam_samson_toba/?hl=en

Location: Ibadan (Nigeria)