Nigeria is a home of shinning talents! Meet the talented Nigerian Sculptor that creates wonders with cutleries, Abinoro Akporode Collins.
He is a full time studio artist and the CEO of Arts by Collins. Collins draws inspiration from his environment, and his art, a mix of classical and conceptualised idea.
Notable about Collins’ artworks is his habit of processing spoons and forks, alongside fiberglass and bronze into a beautiful yet unique work of art.
Collins attended Agbarho Grammar School, Okpe, Delta State, Nigeria. He is also a graduate of Painting and General Art from School of Art and Design, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State (2009) where he obtained his National Diploma, ND. He graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 2012 as the overall best graduating student.
He has exhibited his works widely within and outside the shores of Nigeria. For example, Collins made it to the 2013 grand finale of the “Life in My City Competition” which held in Enugu and in 2014, he took part in the African Art Month Residency and Exhibition, an historical festival by Art Hub in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was also a guest at the King Abdulazeez Camel Festival in Saudi Arabia alongside 43 international artist in 2019. He also exhibited at Rele Art Gallery in Lagos “Material Times”, 2019. He once featured on BBC News for his exceptional art pieces beautifully crafted with cutleries.
More of Collins’ arts will be displayed at the photography, Arts and Design Exhibition (PADE) to be hosted by Ecobank from 19th-21st August, 2022.
He started incorporating cutleries into his works after a research course in school where they experimented with non-conventional mediums in sculpture where he made use of 13 dozens of cutleries to create his first cutlery piece -a cockerel.
When asked how he was able to train himself to perfection, he said, “The best professional training anyone can get is continuous practice. Allowing yourself to experiment regularly and never letting your falls stop you from your goal. Rather, use them as the basis for your growth. I am passionate about my work and I constantly strive for excellence.”
In a world where everyone wants to be a doctor, lawyer, pilot, among others, Collins disclosed that art is more than a hobby for him and that he has put 100% of his life into doing it.
According to him, “Art, for me, is not just a hobby; art is the only thing I have done all my life. It’s what I have put in 100% of my life doing. I treat it with a great level of passion and commitment. I wake up early daily as though I were going for a regular job in an office. I work at it as though I would be sacked if I failed at my task. I do constant research and experiments in my quest to be the best at my job. And the result has been rewarding. “
Like every successful icon, Collins revealed his mentors to be Michelangelo, Auguste Rodin, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.
While he claimed not to have experienced any form of regret, he also wished he was taught the business of art and how to start a career as a professional artist.
Born on 28 June, 1984, Collins is married to Faith Abinoro.
