An Interview With Korede Akarakiri

Let's hear about your creative journey.

Marcel: You see, firsts are often some of the most memorable events in a person, society, or community's experience. Usually, they mark the beginning of a tradition or a series of like events. Everything that is, once had a beginning, a spark that lit the fuse, forming the flames that burn at the centre of their being, and creating the images that we see today. 

I find it fitting that you would be the first writer on the inaugural session of The Arkore Writer Interview. You, for a lot of creatives, are a first; for me, my first publisher, and one of the first people I met in my journeys across various fields: writing, leadership, politics, and many others. So, let's start with your beginning– your origin story. What was the spark that made Arkore– the writer, the photographer, the visionary? 

Do you have any of such first moments that come to mind?

Korede Akarakiri: First off, thank you for this opportunity. It's one I do not take lightly, despite being the Editor-in-Chief. 

My spark, my father writes and leads, everywhere he functions, he's always writing as the General Secretary. So, I guess that influenced me to write as I didn't start out writing creatively either, just writing what I felt would motivate people and inspire them to do rightly, and this was when I was 15. From that point, I evolved into passing my message through more creative writings like poetry, and more through photography. Overall, it's a journey of having a message and looking for outlets for them. Same as my leadership journey which is marked by selflessness and impact.

What would you say is at the center of your message?

Marcel: It's an interesting paradox, how artistes have original ways of expressing which is, in itself, a mimicry of life. Your journey began from the influence of your father, and developed into an instinct which you have honed into a skill, and the thing about skill is that it is crafted in the forge of practice– repeated strikes of a hammer on an anvil. 

Naturally, one does not begin developing a skill if one doesn't have a purpose for it, and yours for writing is to communicate deep truths and realities to people. 

This brings me to my next question, what themes keep coming back to you in moments of expression? I've noticed in your works that you tend to discuss Hope, Healing, Faith, and the Uncertainty of Life. In your poem, Psalms 126 for example, you portray Hope as both a necessity and a struggle, and Breathe!!! focuses on Spirituality and Renewal. What brings you back to these ideas? Are they a reflection of your personal philosophies or subconscious indicators of your creative instinct?

Korede Akarakiri: Thank you for this question, beyond questions that explore my earlier works. For the sake of this conversation, I'll refer to myself as a dealer of hope because both consciously and subconsciously the theme of hope appears 8/10 of my works. From my interaction with others who trust me with their stories, to interacting with people's stories like in my body of work - Purge, and all... My main instinct to write is to say something different from the trends of sorrow, depression, anxiety, and just talk about something peaceful and positive and that also informs the idea of ARKORE.BLOG.

How do you overcome creative blocks? 

Marcel: One thing that makes hope really interesting is how it exists between pain and joy, much like committing yourself to a possibility– a persisting excitement for the future even despite uncompromising challenges that seem impossible to surmount. But despite its necessity, hope is something that could be fleeting, much like any other human emotion; regardless of how complex or true it is in the moment you're experiencing it, it is bound to give way for something else. It's part of the psychological dynamics of being human. 

What do you do when you're in a, for lack of better words, hopeless situation in your creative process? There are times that the words just don't flow right and the shots feel off. How do you break through the roadblocks and find expression even when it seems your muse has gone to sleep?

Korede Akarakiri: Well, I switch to something that do not require that pattern of thought. Let's say I find it hard composing a poem, I write a book review of a book. And that is where constantly doing something is important, because I tend to read a lot, it is easier to pick from a book that I find amazing and write on it. Be diverse as a creative. And this extends even to my visual creativity, if I'm not taking photos commercially, I create personal video contents. 

Who and what inspires you? Tell us about your community and influences.

Marcel: It's funny how the solution to creative blocks is to keep creating. I find that one of the most important assets to have as a creative is Community. Arkore Art is a community of writers and creatives that you founded. What inspired you to create it, and what has kept the flame ablaze? Also, who are the writers, photographers and creatives that have inspired you and shaped your approach towards art and storytelling?

Korede Akarakiri: I created Arkore.blog out of the need to proffer a platform for writers where they can grow, get better, interact with other young creatives without "restrictions" based on their age or anything and a place where other people, beyond who you know, can read your works through other writers sharing it because I believe strongly in the fact that having works shouldn't end just at that, but for others to see it. It's like the adage that goes "If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears about it, did it really fall?"

What inspires me? Life inspires me, people's real stories inspire me, more reason I'd readily pick up a non-fiction book before a novel. Also, the fact that people's lives can change for the better because of one publication, one meeting, listening to one speech... The unpredictability of life really inspires me– the fact that it could all get better off a random attempt.

Each writer on the blog inspires me greatly and in diverse ways. I also enjoy watching spoken word performances from artists like Titilope Sonuga, and reading Adedayo Agarau’s poetry. For photography, we have the likes of Tolani Alli. I admire her style of visual storytelling. Emmanuel Olubori, too. Chika Onuu is another photographer I think tells so much through his visual arts.

What works are you enjoying right now?

Marcel: Being Editor-in-Chief, you’ve worked with many different creative voices who speak about different realities. Has there ever been a particular submission or conversation with a writer that has impacted your perspective on art?

Korede Akarakiri: Many... I can't point to one. The space is such a blessed one with some works I go back to often to re-read. I’ve given When You're Lost by Adepoju Timileyin a couple of re-reads. I find his message to be really inspiring. He tells you that you can retrace your steps no matter how lost you are, and find yourself despite the projected ruins you're in. I also find myself going back to The Nigerian Heart by Shalom. The way he was able to illustrate the Nigerian spirit of resilience and strong will despite adversity, and the myriad of issues plaguing the country.

Lightening things a bit.

Marcel: Keeping yourself grounded in reality is a pretty valid way to live. It also takes a great level of creativity to make anything interesting enough to read, and an even more to make such writings as non-fiction enjoyable. I think fiction is just a fun way of depicting real life situations and experiences. 

Speaking of fun, let's make it a little brighter as we approach the end of the interview. I have a few fun questions I think you might enjoy. What do you say?

Korede Akarakiri: Pitch!

Marcel: If your poetry were a three-song playlist, what would be the songs on it?

Korede Akarakiri: 

1. You say - Lauren Daigle

2. Sunshine - Infinity song

3. Becoming - Titilope Sonuga

Marcel: You tend to write introspective poetry that engages with spirituality, using nature as a metaphor for the human experience. If your poetry were three places, where would they be?

Korede Akarakiri: 

1. Ìbàdàn

2. Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife

3. Lagos

Marcel: If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be?

Korede Akarakiri: I’d love to meet Martin Luther King Jr.

For the final act, pull a rabbit out the hat.

Marcel: Finally, would you like to share something with us, a photo? Something in the works? Freestyle?

Korede Akarakiri: 

A recent photo at Obafemi Awolowo University.

The greenery and blue sky, reminding us that there's always hope. When it rains, things grow. If I'd taken this photograph in January, the sky would be clear and blank, and the tree would have their leaves dried up, but March is here with its rains and all things are bright and beautiful. I think it tells me that I can hang on through life's processes while I wait for rain. 

Marcel: This brings us to the end of our interview, Arkore. Thank you for your time. 

Korede Akarakiri: The pleasure's all mine. I had a great time.

Marcel: Ciao.