Embracing Collective Collaboration with Sore Adebisi
Today, the conversation around collective collaboration has never been more pertinent. This concept emphasizes the importance of community and networking, crucial elements for any creative endeavor. One individual who exemplifies this ethos is Sore Adebisi, a reputable and multi-talented individual in Art and Design. As a long-time collaborator with Nigerian artist BNXN, Sore has worked as an art director for BNXN on numerous projects, including cover art, NFTs, and comic books. Today, they are part of the Chivas Regal #IRiseWeRise campaign, which highlights the power of creative collaboration. Sore graces the cover of our Creativerse today, holding a Chivas Regal whiskey, symbolizing the blend of tradition and contemporary art.
Photos by: Wale Adebisi
Sore Adebisi didn’t just stumble into the world of art, it wasn’t a mistake—he charged into it with a purpose. Even before he set foot on the University of Lagos campus, he knew he was meant to be an artist. “I’ve always been creating art before I even got to Unilag. I knew I wanted to create,” Sore says. But it was at UNILAG that his passion truly found its stride. Surrounded by talented peers, he pushed himself harder, inspired by the energy of those around him. “Being around so many creative minds challenged me. It made me realize there was so much more I could create.”
Initially focused on painting, Sore quickly discovered the power of digital art. What started as a way to draft his ideas before committing them to canvas soon became his primary medium. “Over time, I just got more comfortable using illustrations to create art. I realized that something valuable could come out of it. With painting, you can’t just create on the go, but with illustrations, you can. That convenience and lower stress level made me feel more comfortable with digital work.” he explains. The convenience of digital work was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before it became his preferred way to bring his visions to life.
Q: What was the first digital project you ever worked on?
A: The first project that really brought me into the limelight was the art challenge for Rema. During the contest, illustrators were asked to create cover art, and when people saw my work, they started respecting what I was doing. I think that’s when people started reaching out to me for cover art projects. The first cover I did was for an artist named Koko, and it was for a project he was working on at the time. I can remember even struggling with getting the proportions right for the cover art.
Q: How did that experience with Koko shape your career moving forward?
A: My journey in art has always been about taking risks and trying things I believe I can do. Sometimes, I just do things and hope for the best, and most times, it works out. It’s about challenging myself.
NTS: How did your relationship with BNXN start?
Sore: I think it becomes easier for people to work with you once they’ve seen you working with others. It started with the first cover art, then the second, and the third, and as I kept progressing, I gained more exposure. But with BNXN, it was organic. I had known him for a while, and when I saw him, I told him, “This is the work I’m doing, I’m illustrating,” and he was like, “I’d really love to work with you.” From there, we started working on several projects like NFTs, comic books, 3D designs, and cover arts.
NTS: I saw some of your NFT and work with BNXN, which came out during the NFT peak. Do you think digital artists can be respected as much as traditional artists today?
Sore: I think people are beginning to realize that art can be expressed in different forms, and they’re more accepting of that. Even with the NFTs, we sold out—people were minting their own artworks and making money. It showed that digital art is something people should look out for.
Q: You’ve collaborated with BNXN for a while. What has your creative partnership been like over the years, and what are some of your most memorable projects together?
A: Working with BNXN has been exciting because he appreciates art and focuses on passing a message through it. One of the most memorable projects we worked on is the ‘Heads by BNXN’ NFTs. At that point, we didn’t have much knowledge about the NFT space, but we saw the possibilities and just started learning and collaborating with our partners. It’s something I look back on. Another memorable one is the ‘Sincerely BNXN’ cover.
Q: Let’s talk about Chivas and the #IRiseWeRise campaign, which focuses on collaborations. How did you become involved, and what does it mean to you personally?
A: I got involved through my work with BNXN. They saw the work I was doing and felt it needed to be amplified-especially our story of growing together and working together.
Q: This campaign emphasizes collective collaboration, which goes beyond just two people working together. It highlights the idea of community. How do you see that concept reflected in the work of creatives and people who want to be part of this campaign?
A: It’s clear that when you work with people who share the same mindset and vision, anything is possible. Collaborating with people who have a similar mindset makes the work easier. Even working with BNXN opened the door for me to work with numerous artists. I think for anyone coming up, it’s important to look out for the next person who has talent because many people have talent but lack direction. The opportunities are endless.
Q: Looking back on your journey from studying Creative Arts to venturing into art and illustrations and building a career, what advice would you give to people who want to pursue art but aren’t studying an art course?
A: The best advice I can give is to put yourself out there. Show what you can do. People can’t know you if you don’t put yourself out there and engage with others. People won’t work with you if they haven’t seen what you’ve done.
Collaboration has always been at the heart of Sore’s work. He understands that great things happen when creative minds come together. “When you find people who share your vision, the work becomes more meaningful,” he says. His experience with BNXN and other artists has shown him that collective effort can elevate art to new heights.
Finally, we had Sore list some of the notable covers he’s created for BNXN over the years, highlighting the evolution of their partnership:
