Yusuf Etudaiye

I came from the small town of Okene in Nigeria on the west coast of Africa.  At the age of 19, I came to the U.S. on scholarship to study. Growing up as a child in Nigeria, I have always wanted to be an artist. I credit this to my Uncle Idris who was a painter. I watched him at work and even tried to reproduce some of his work then. The people in my hometown liked him very well.

So, the decision was easy after school to set up an art studio or work at an art studio. Clay became my medium of choice in my senior year at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. I was attracted to the medium of clay because of its fluidity. I enjoy creating exotic statement pieces or unique functional pottery.

I believe that my inspirations are drawn from African culture and Christian faith. You can find me teaching at WaterWorks Art Center here in Tulsa.

-Yusuf Etudaiye