Sandra Fajuyigbe
Tell us about yourself and your creative pursuits.
My creative interests vary, but I am a postgraduate Illustrator who has had a massive interest in Business Management, Marketing and Art. I have been influenced a lot by music, and my colourful artwork demonstrates exactly how music plays a role in what I create.
What challenges have you faced as a creative?
As a creative, I faced many challenges, from imposter syndrome, burnout, and lack of representation within the Illustration world. Another challenge I have faced is not having the ideal role I would like to do, but knowing that by being consistent, I would find my passion. Another challenge is that many universities never prepare you for the real world, such as networking and finding your tribe, applying for jobs, setting up financial goals, or even just identity. Most of the things I learned were the hard way, mainly learning on the go and making mistakes by allowing myself to be a beginner.
How has the Voltage Revolution programme shaped your experience as a creative?
Voltage Revolution came to me when I needed the most support and to be surrounded by a Black creative community which I lacked so much at university. After my MA, I had no sense of direction and felt purposeless. I saw this program on TikTok and took the opportunity to sign up, sceptical after having signed up for similar programmes that weren't the best and had a massive negative impact on my confidence. Voltage Revolution has stuck to their words, and their actions meet their values and beliefs. I felt very welcome and cared for from the very start, and so far, Voltage Revolution has been a safe space for me to attend weekly or monthly workshops where I can put my guard down and be my authentic self. Partaking in this programme, I gained so much confidence; at the beginning, I was very mute, never wanting to share my artwork with anyone in case someone stole my work. However, as I continued attending different workshops during the year, my confidence in networking grew, and from not having a website portfolio to working on a creative CV to even putting my well-being support first. I gained so much from the programme that I wouldn't have done all alone.
What has changed for you after partaking in the program?
Right now, the biggest change from the programme for me and my career is knowing that consistency comes a long way in life. I realised how important it is not to suffer in silence or battle your pain in silence. Also how important it is to share it with others or that being around people that look like you can have such a huge impact on your perspective and how you view the world. So for me, the change was that my artwork grew. My fear of not wanting people to steal my artwork without giving me credit made it very hard for me to believe in myself. Due to my consistency and speaking to others about it within the programme, I developed this huge confidence of not wanting to hide my talent by sharing it online. This programme taught me so much about my well-being, focusing on the things I can create/control, and being surrounded by young Black creatives like myself to see them striving in their field has allowed me to choose life and know that consistency is key.
