He wants to paint a bigger picture by drawing attention to an issue that is growing worldwide but is often overlooked in Nigeria - mental health in men. But thanks to Mr Waduud the issue is now becoming visible.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00He wants to paint a bigger picture by drawing attention to an issue that is growing worldwide,
00:06but is often overlooked in Nigeria, mental health in men.
00:10But thanks to Mr. Wadud, the issue is now becoming visible.
00:14Mental health has always been a very passionate conversation for me,
00:18but particularly among men.
00:20I think there's an hush-hush culture that is around abuse for men,
00:27trauma around men, and how we all say men should open up,
00:32and then when they open up, they find it's used against them,
00:35and they run back into their shell.
00:37I think it's important for me, for us to be more empathetic towards one another,
00:44and being able to create safe spaces for us to share our struggles with one another,
00:48and listening ears to one another.
00:51Abdul Wadud Afalabi, a.k.a. Mr. Wadud,
00:55is known for his colorful paintings as well as his poetry and social media presence.
01:00In Lagos, he has made a name for himself as a keynote speaker and mental health advocate.
01:09Let's see how he manages to combat the media-driven public perception of mental health,
01:14and why and how does Mr. Wadud provide hope and healing through creativity?
01:19The artworks I create are intended to be able to create healing and hope through creativity.
01:25For me, I believe that art has been a catalyst for imagination,
01:31and colors comfort, with the right composition comfort,
01:36and for me, being able to create a body of work that can be a conversation starter,
01:41that can end stigma around issues,
01:44and be able to create a sense of optimism in my viewers.
01:49That's very crucial in the body of work that I create.
01:52Mr. Wadud's work reflects his concerns about societal attitudes towards men's mental health,
01:57a topic often shrouded in stigma.
02:01For me, it's being able to amplify conversations around mental health issues that affect men generally.
02:08Men have the highest success rate globally,
02:11and it's one of the most interesting facts that is unacknowledged or not amplified enough.
02:17It's alright to be strong and vulnerable at the same time.
02:20It's alright to be strong and emotional at the same time,
02:23but there must be an elder balance in the people that are going to receive us
02:27in all of the capacities that we're expected to be as men.
02:31Tim Amanda Adichie once said that pen world voices, that to choose to write is to reject silence.
02:36For me, a canvas is my paper and a brush is my pen.
02:39I'm writing a story that is breaking silence and breaking stigma,
02:44that is stopping and reducing stigma.
02:46Being able to create a body of work that amplifies issues because silence does not create solutions.
02:53Mr. Wadud is concerned with how stereotypes of masculinity impact mental health
02:58and how and why, for example, silence hinders growth and healing.
03:03Why is it so urgent for him to shed light on the topic of male mental health without prejudice?
03:09At the end of the day, I want my work to be able to create a sense of release
03:15from the pressure that comes from the society for you to be a certain way,
03:19for you to express a certain way, for you to be manly a certain way.
03:24With every piece, Mr. Wadud pushes the boundaries of creativity and of acceptance.
03:30But why does he experiment in such diverse mediums and methods?
03:34The world doesn't speak the same language.
03:36And what appeals to somebody might not necessarily appeal to the next person.
03:40For me, using diverse mediums has been a way to reach people in a diverse way.
03:45As an artist, it was crucial for me to be able to learn various mediums,
03:50to show expertise and be able to expand the potential of my message
03:55and being able to reach more people through a language that is visually understood
04:00without a need for explanation.
04:04For Mr. Wadud, art is more than an expression.
04:07It's a mission to inspire change and connection.
04:10But why does he dedicate himself so deeply to this craft?
04:14We're gradually slipping into a society that is unconsciously limiting safe spaces
04:19for people to express their mental health issues.
04:22We're gradually slipping into a society that is just based on consumerism
04:26versus understanding the purpose of living
04:29and being able to see the consequences of the actions we take,
04:33whether in institutions, in society, or even in a relationship within ourselves.
04:39For me, being able to wake up and have the discussions around these issues through my heart,
04:44in an institution, between my friends,
04:46and just being able to connect with a stranger that is just excited about my art
04:50and have a conversation about something crucial to me has been really exciting.
04:54And being able to do that is just totally satisfying.
04:57Through his bold colors, layered narratives, and commitment to societal change,
05:02Mr. Wadud is more than an artist.
05:04He's a true voice for resilience, showing how art can break silences and prejudices.