This spotlight features Lolade Pearse. Lolade is a multidisciplinary creative with a passion for writing, painting, and designing graphics. 

Can you share a brief bio?

I am a student of life who loves wandering and wondering and tapping into all the creative gifts the universe has blessed me with. I live with Yomi, Funlola, Kayode, Taiwo, Kehinde and Jemmie and we have three dogs, Ryu, Ken and Kholie.

What time does your alarm go off?

I don’t have an alarm. I sleep with my blinds open and rely on the sun and my body to tell me when it’s time to get up.

What do your mornings typically look like?

I lay in bed and as sort of a meditation practice, I ask myself how I am feeling. If I’m not feeling too good, either physically or mentally, I ask myself why. If physical, I trace back to the day before. If mental, I try to recall what tasks I need to fulfill. I don’t get up until I have it figured out. Afterwards, I have breakfast and get ready for my day.

How did you get on this career path? 

I remember our Sunday school teacher saying, God has given all of us specific gifts/talents and if we don’t use them, he won’t be happy with us. If we don’t use them, he will take them away. I’ve been determined to use all of mine ever since.

Tell us what a typical day looks like?

It really depends on the day of the week you catch me on. I provide entertainment services to clients, usually from Thursdays to Sundays which means I’m awake early to set up. I try as much as possible to not let my work schedule affect my social life, so I manage my time well enough to hang out with friends. During the week while everyone is at work, I’m doing the things I’m really passionate about; concocting new cocktail recipes, writing, painting, designing graphics, making music mixes and most especially resting.

Can you share some of your most memorable moments?

The end of every event I curate is memorable. The feeling of seeing friends and strangers enjoy themselves is indescribable. One particular instance was the first time I hosted a drive-in movie night. It was a tedious process and the turn out wasn’t great but one of the attendees left me with words I would never forget. “This was the best night of my life.” To be able to give people experiences they will never forget is what keeps me going even when I sometimes don’t have the zeal to. It is then I am able to separate the obstacles from the reward.

The world is too focused on making maximum profit all the time versus making maximum impact on people’s lives.

What do you love most about what you do?

Bringing people together, making them feel good and most especially bringing a slice of joy into their lives.

What do you not like about what you do?

The capitalist part of it. The world is too focused on making maximum profit all the time versus making maximum impact on people’s lives. Having to think about money, either for the purpose of curating events or charging for them is when I like my job the least.
What do you do after work?
Shower, put on some music and relax for days.

And what do you do at the weekends?

I work on weekend and play just as hard so help me God.

Who in the creative industry (globally) inspires you and why?

Everyone who has every created anything because it takes great courage to produce even the smallest piece of art.

What does being a successful creative mean to you?

Letting the product of your passion be the reward of your creativity.

What does the societal change mean to you?

Societal change to me means profound changes in the lives of the minority. It means providing access to better infrastructure, protection from exploitation, and providing tools for advancement in society.

In your opinion, how can the creative industries contribute to social change/social cohesion/improve the Nigerian society?

Weekly creativity initiative programs that engages people of all ages, social and economic backgrounds to showcase their artistic side and be rewarded for what they bring into being.

If you were not doing what you are doing now, what career path would you be on?

Like someone somewhere on the internet said, “I have no dream job, I do not dream of labour.”