2nd March 2009

I met other artists later in the day when I went for my dinner. They were;

Corina Gertz (Fashion designer) and Kris Schloz (Photographer); the couple from Dusseldorf-Germany
Heather May(Clay Potter) – Australia
Deter Aurand (Potter) & Ellinor Euler (Fashion) both from Berlin-Germany.
Annette Leyner (Painter) – Dusseldorf-Germany,
Katherine Keefer (Fashion designer, and Sculptor) – California, USA
Ingvild (Writer) – Oslo-Norway
Ofra Hoffman(Dancer) – Israel
Jane Hoskins (Writer) – UK

They are comfortable to be with. Everybody work during the day or for their respective outings. We meet together usually at meal times.

Everything started so nice. I had fallen in love with the environment. The chanting of the birds, the little squirrels that go round playfully and the peacocks; all are terrific to behold!

My only fear is the CHIPKALIs (House Lizards) that hang almost everywhere in the house. They are not a threat in every sense. As an African, I have seen enough of them in Nigeria. I grew up with them. All my entire life in Africa, I have slept under the same roof with these creatures. They are no trouble. In fact, back home, there are times we kill them for game or whatever.

In France, there are none of these creatures in the house. For the past years of my residence in France, I have never seen them anywhere. Now, in India, I am seeing them and also having to share my duplex studio with them.

This gives me the nasty feelings that I personally could not understand. I knew somehow, I have to get rid of them or else, my attention will be divided against the reason why I was here.
There was Breakfast at 8:00 hours in the morning, Tea-time at 11:00hours, Lunch at 11:00hours, Tea-time at 16:00hours and Dinner at 20:00hours.

There was a big bell that stood out at the centre of the residence, right opposite the main gate. At each meal time, one of the staff will come and ring the bell twice for the three major meals and once for the tea-times.

28Th February, 2009 (A VICTIM OF RACISM)

I have never been to India before in my life until I got this greatest opportunity to participate at the Artist-in-Residence under Sanskriti Kendra foundation, New Delhi, India.

When I was a child, I developed so passionate fantasies about this country through watching India films produced then on VHS cassettes. My parents bought whole lots of them for us. Each time, and after watching any of these films, my dreams for India and her lifestyle grew so within me.
I carried on this mentality until I began to discover through TV News coverage about India, and my whole world of established fantasies and fairy tales gradually diminished. Today, and as an adult, I have not gotten through it. Despite this, I realized that India is much more than what I saw in these films.

Few days to my trip to Delhi, I found no excitement anymore within me. It was rather replaced with fear. The thought of what will happened there, the imagination of how the people I am going to really looked like and so many personal factors that I can barely describe here.

My flight was Emirate airline. It was at 21:05 at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The boarding time was scheduled for 20:20. That did not happen. We waited for about ten minutes before we were checked in. On board the craft, two women among a group of tourist were supposed to sit next to me. I was fortunate to have my seat by the window. I watched these women were eager to stay closer to their group. When it was time for takeoff, these women got their desired seats as there were hardly passengers on board.

I was happy to stay alone. I stretched my legs across on the other two seats. At that moment, I had created the mental picture of me sleeping like as if on my home-bed while on these seats. And it happened.
Among the air crew was a dark-skinned man. His composure coupled with his action showed he commanded certain position. He was very warm and exhibited respect for others. He was away somewhere on duty when the menu was served. The hostess came to the passengers right in front of me. She served them with full smile. She left them, pulling the food trolley along with her unto the next passengers opposite me. After she was through with them, I expected her to come to me.

I could not believe it when I saw that she went straight to the couple sitting behind me. I stretched myself upward in an attempt thinking that she must have forgotten me. Her movement showed she knew I was there but she was doing this deliberately. I turned and looked at the passengers in front of me. I looked that the ones opposite me and finally to the one behind me that this hostess served.

One particular thought came immediately to my mind; they are all white. There I realised that even on Emirate airline, I was already a victim of racism. I sat back and decided that I‘d rather stayed without the meal until we reach Dubai. I wanted to lie by and sleep when this lady appeared.

She had no look of apology on her face when she said; ‘I thought you are sleeping’ I thought I saw a faint flash of smile, which came up on her long face before it disappeared.
‘It’s no problem’ I replied. I did not want to get straight with her otherwise I could have done that and that could create trouble for her.

Instead I said; ‘Please can you call your dark-skinned colleague over there for me?’ her colleague was coming out from the crew cabin.

‘…..but ma, I can serve you’ she tried to persuade me.

‘No, I don’t want. Please kindly call the man for me’

She went off. She saw that I was disappointed with her. On my side, I have no desire to settle the score that night. I have heard about several cases of racism on board airlines; I have never taken these so serious until I became a victim.

The man came. I explained to him. ‘Please ma, I am sorry this happened. I will talk to her’ he pleaded
‘I don’t want her to serve me. You can do that for me, can’t you?’
‘Yes ma’ he ran off. He got me what I requested for. During drink time, I ensured I avoided this lady because she was the one serving on my line. The moment she was closer enough, I relaxed my back against the seat and closed my eyes. We both knew she dare not interrupted my sleep (if any at all).