February 2021 Featured Artist
Texas-Based Contemporary Artist
Afi Ese
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Afi posing with "Beautifully Played"
© Afi Ese |
Afi Ese is an African American contemporary realism and figurative conceptual artist living in Houston, Texas with roots in Togo and Mali.
The artworks of Afi Ese represent and venerate the rich history of the West African diaspora with an emphasis on generational trauma and triumph in Black America. As a child of the diaspora, her paintings are conceptualized narratives of the African plight through the eyes of a self-aware Black American. She combines and re-imagines historical events and attributes specific to the Black American experience. In doing so, she gets to shine a spotlight on the beauty and resilience of her community by using the gifts and talents given by her ancestors. She recognizes the importance of positive black images in daily life and uses her work to help direct the Black narrative and experience in an honest and transparent fashion. Afi wants each piece to leave the viewer feeling culturally empowered, especially the youth. She tries to embed bold fresh images in the minds of viewers and hopes to replace some of the miseducation and misleading imagery that plagues her community. Afi’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States and in South Africa. Her works are held in private collections in England, Trinidad, Canada, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and the United States. |
A Woman's Worth
Oil on Stretched Canvas - 36 (h) X 24 (w) © Afi Ese |
She Blue
Oil on Canvas - 36 (h) X 24 (w) © Afi Ese |
Throughout this feature, Afi discusses her work, her inspirations and what she hopes to inspire in others.
Beautifully Played
Oil on Canvas Panel - 36 (h) X 26 (w) © Afi Ese |
Please explain the inspiration behind "Beautifully Played." This is a lovely piece!
This piece was painted after I had a thought about a conceptual piece that would be open for interpretation. I knew the story I was telling, but during the painting stages, people would share their interpretations. I enjoyed the discussions so much that I started painting with an "us" mind frame instead of a "me" one. You work in different mediums - oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, etc. Do you often use more than one medium for a piece, and do you have a favorite? I am usually a traditionalist, so mixed media is not a favorite of mine. I work primarily in oils then soft pastels - oils are my favorite, but I have higher mastery with pastels. Occasionally, I introduce another medium when I create a charcoal piece to add a pop of color or texture. Has your work as a psychotherapist inspired your artwork at all?
Yes. I was a forensic psychotherapist for adolescent children for seven years. I often incorporated art assignments into therapy sessions, which served many purposes, including helping me to build rapport with the patients. |
Tignon
Mixed Media on Paper - 27 (h) X 19 (w) © Afi Ese |
Untitled 1
Charcoal & Gold Leaf on Paper - 27 (h) X 19 (w) © Afi Ese |
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Fish and Grits
Watercolor, Gold Leaf, Ink & Graphite on Cold Pressed Paper - 18 (h) X 24 (w)
© Afi Ese
Watercolor, Gold Leaf, Ink & Graphite on Cold Pressed Paper - 18 (h) X 24 (w)
© Afi Ese
What do you hope is the biggest 'takeaway' from your work, and do you hope to inspire Black youth in America?
My work is a bricolage of my experiences as an aware Black American from a country upbringing that started a journey to find what had been denied to me and many of my relatives who came before me. I want my work to narrate my life, thoughts and challenges. I hope when other Black people - especially our youth - look at my work, they feel understood and represented.
My work is a bricolage of my experiences as an aware Black American from a country upbringing that started a journey to find what had been denied to me and many of my relatives who came before me. I want my work to narrate my life, thoughts and challenges. I hope when other Black people - especially our youth - look at my work, they feel understood and represented.
Man-Child in the Motherland
Oil on Wood - 24 X 24 round © Afi Ese |
Untitled 2
Oil on Stretched Canvas - 14 (h) X 7 (w) © Afi Ese |
Where do you find sanctuary?
For me, sanctuary is in painting - more specifically, in painting my own ideas and concepts in between commissions. When I go days without painting, I get antsy and agitated, so I know it is a cathartic outlet for me. When I was a psychotherapist, I had to always be aware of keeping the focus on the client and away from me; but with art, that's not the case. If you really want to know what's in my head, look at what I'm currently painting on my easel. Maybe it's the smell of the turpentine (joking), but my mind goes to a much deeper and happier place when I'm painting. That's peace. That's my sanctuary.
For me, sanctuary is in painting - more specifically, in painting my own ideas and concepts in between commissions. When I go days without painting, I get antsy and agitated, so I know it is a cathartic outlet for me. When I was a psychotherapist, I had to always be aware of keeping the focus on the client and away from me; but with art, that's not the case. If you really want to know what's in my head, look at what I'm currently painting on my easel. Maybe it's the smell of the turpentine (joking), but my mind goes to a much deeper and happier place when I'm painting. That's peace. That's my sanctuary.
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EXHIBITIONS:
2021 Black History Month Exhibition & Sale Irving Black Arts Council Irving, TX 2020-2021 26th Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition & Exhibition African American Museum of Dallas Dallas, TX 2020-2021 Shelter – Artwork Created During the Great Lock-down of 2020 Burke Arts Council Morganton, NC |
