Welcome to the very first student spotlight of the year! Each week we’ll be interviewing an LAU student to find out more about you and your practice! This week the spotlight is on Chidubem Metuh, the leader of our very own Afro-Caribbean Society 21/22, sharing all about the power of believing in yourself!
Students’ Union: First of all can you tell us about what type of work you produce?
Chidubem: I mostly focus on fashion images and fashion styling.
Students’ Union: So what would you say inspires you?
Chidubem: Myself and fashion. Why - because the single most important lesson that I have learned was believing in myself, that I can do anything. I have never noticed my strengths but I am where I am because of my passion.
Students’ Union: That’s such a confident answer, passion is such a strong driving force in the creative community. I hope this serves to remind the students of LAU to celebrate that at every opportunity! Do you find your work often conveys a message?
Chidubem: Simply the beauty of fashion. I find myself most creative in the fashion styling aspect of my practice. I make my work for myself and nobody else, this is because I inspire myself with everything that I make or do. I use my work to grow as a person.
Students’ Union: How would you describe your working process?
Chidubem: My working processes are always being open to feedback, being motivated, and organised. I’m quite independent, but also team-orientated, I value the input of others into my practice.
Students’ Union: So if you had the opportunity to collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Chidubem: Anna Wintour, she is someone that has inspired me as a young lady, teaching me that I can be who am and also powerful in the area [of the fashion world] that I long for.
Students’ Union: Fabulous choice! Do you find the art world to be an open and accommodating one?
Chideubem: Yes, because we are all creative in our own way and everyone has their process of building their name in the art world. If I had to give one piece of advice to students thinking of entering the art world, I would remind them that if you get over your fear of accepting the challenge, you are already a winner, many people don't even dare to accept the challenge. Always remember to be yourself!
Students’ Union: What are your plans for the future and how do you think you’ll get there?
Chidubem: I have so many. Fashion styling, makeup artistry, modelling maybe. I see myself working with a magazine company and becoming a well-known fashion stylist for popular people. Fingers crossed!
To answer how I'll get there, passion, I believe that we all need to understand the power of passion. When you are passionate about something, you will think about it all the time, you will be willing to wake up early and sacrifice your sleep for it, it can drive you each day to achieve what you want in life. I love what I do, I enjoy everything about it.
Students’ Union: Wow, thank you so much for such an inspiring first Student Spotlight of the academic year. I have one last question for you before we wrap up, what do you listen to whilst you work, any recommendations?
Chidubem: This is my favourite question of all! While doing a school project or just working on something, I love listening to pop music. My favourites are: For Tonight by Giveon, If you love her by Forest Blakk ft (my fave) Meghan Trainor, In My Bag by Justine Skye, the list just goes on!
If you want to see more of Chidubem's work, you can follow her on Instagram at @chidubem_photography and make sure to follow @LeedsArtsACS to stay up to date with what they have in store this year!
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