We recently had the chance to connect with Kemi Yemi-Ese and have shared our conversation below.
Kemi, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Travel has been bringing me joy lately. Recently, my partner and I went to Australia to go scuba diving. This was a challenging and incredibly fulfilling experience. It brought me joy to witness the beauty of the ocean and it inspired a new list of places that I want to visit. Being a wheelchair user, I used to just assume most places were inaccessible. There are growing resources that say the contrary and I’m excited to plan the next adventure.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Nigerian-American therapist and visual artist, Kemi Yemi-Ese, resides in Austin, Texas. Following a near tragic car accident in 2006, Kemi became paralyzed at the cervical level of her spinal cord and uses a wheelchair for mobility. After graduating from Baylor University and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Kemi is focused on growing in her dual careers as an artist and mental health therapist. Her art reflects the struggles and triumphs that living with a disability entail through imagery that is relatable. Her artwork and therapeutic approaches often challenge representations of mobility, gender, beauty, race, and divinity. The challenges she faces compel her to also be an advocate and she has taken many opportunities to advocate for her rights and those of others with disabilities. From serving on boards for independent living centers to winning the title of Ms. Wheelchair Texas, Kemi is earnest in speaking up and taking action. Kemi’s current work is heavily inspired by her Nigerian heritage blending dynamic and contemplative portraits with cultural exploration.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed that I could be a ‘jack of all trades’ when I was a child. I had multiple interests and natural gifts growing up and I believed I would grow to excel in all of my interests. I played piano, I did ballet, I loved dancing, loved creating art and can carry a decent mezzo-soprano melody. I also loved science and learning about past civilizations. As I grew older I realized that in order to excel in any of my interests, I had to focus on a few. The rest of that phrase reminds me of the folly of my perspective that I could do it all. “jack of all trades and master of none’.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience, perseverance, and discipline. I liken suffering to a blacksmith’s forge, the extreme heat and flame assist in creating the most balanced and effective blades. If it weren’t for suffering, I would be in places of contentment impacting no one. I would live a life of ease and compromise my purposefulness and empathy. What is success even without suffering?
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say that the public version of me is the real me with curated extrovert traits. When I am around people I am engaging and personable. I ask meaningful questions and look to have conversations of substance. In the company of loved ones I’m more silly and reactive. In either circumstance I’m being a real version of myself. Being adaptable doesn’t have to compromise genuineness.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If there were a world where an artist could retire, I think my clients would miss my original art pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kemisart.com, www.neemacounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemisart/
Image Credits
Kemi Yemi-Ese speaking to an auditorium of elementary students as a special guest speaker. She shared her story and a few of her paintings with the audience.
