T o b i   N a n c y  K e s h i n r o

F o u n d e r  o f  N K  A r t S p a c e , a 

V i s u a l A r t i s t  &  A r t  c u r a t o r

Hello Tobi! What inspired you to become a visual artist and art curator?

Creative expression- Creating art is a way to express myself and share my unique perspective with others. Also, I love to share the creativity and perspective of other artists. As a curator, the desire for change is what inspires me to raise awareness about important issues, and bring beauty to peoples lives.

"As a curator, the desire for change is what inspires me to raise awareness about important issues, and bring beauty to peoples lives".

How would you describe your art style?

My art style is not specific. It can be described as figurative, abstract, and contemporary. I create whatever comes to mind with a medium of acrylic on canvas and mix media.

Can you tell us more about NK Art Space?

NK Art Space provides a platform, physical or virtual, where artworks like sculptures, paintings, and photography of talented artists are showcased to a global audience. Nk Art Space creates opportunities for artists who are in search of a space to exhibit their skills and competencies (either individually or collectively) to a global audience.

Are there any challenges you've had to overcome as an artist?

Challenges I have had to overcome are time management and financial stability.

Who are some artists that have inspired you?

Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Mr. Bruce Onabrakpeya, and Peru Alatise.

Why do you think art and activism are important?

I think art and activism are important to encourage social and political change. Art and activism are both built on the truth. Art has the ability to convey powerful messages.

"I think art and activism are important to encourage social and political change. Art and activism are both built on the truth. Art has the ability to convey powerful messages".

How important is cultural representation and art to you?

In every culture around the world, artistic expression has emerged to provide an outlet for thoughts, feelings, traditions, and beliefs. Art can be both rooted in history, and a catalyst for change in a culture. Having a different culture gives people an identity that makes them unique and different from other citizens.

You have a vibrant fashion style! Do you think that art and fashion goes hand in hand?

Yes, over the past few decades, art and fashion have become two synonymous outlets for expression. Our bodies to clothing are what canvases are to an artist and their brush.  Each garment is like a brushstroke, with different fits conveying certain styles.

What are some words of advice you can give to future visual artists who want to open an art exhibit?

My advice to future artists will be to keep working, be humble, compete only with yourself, hold tight to your vision, and surround yourself with supportive people.

Outside of being a visual artist, what are some other hobbies that you enjoy?

Outside being a visual artist, I love to travel, hang out on the beach (which is my favorite place to be), swimming, and listening to music.

Follow at:
Instagram: @nkartspace
@nancykeshyart
@roparecuperada.ng

Photographer: @shiffi_shutterz
Makeup: @dammyssignature

 

B r y a n
" K i n g  P r o l i f i k "
H i c k m a n

Visual Artist of Infinite Mediums

Hello King Prolifik! What inspired you to start your art journey?

During the course of my childhood, I spent a good amount of my time at my grandma's house. In terms of having a safe haven for expression, that was my sanctuary. I developed different interests that were all linked to creative discovery. I was also surrounded by a family that advocated for my creativity. They would boast, cheer, and support my individual pursuits, which ultimately fueled my confidence by way of encouragement. And so, sparking those types of reactions in the people I loved became my favorite sport.

How would you describe your art style?

At this stage of my artistry, I would describe my style as Afro-Realism. My art has constantly evolved, but one thing that has remained constant is my incorporation of African/Afro-American cultures as a preface to the idealistic voyages my paintings take.  Therefore, I will always include "Afro" as a prefix to whatever shape my style takes in the future.

Have you been able to attend any art exhibits or have your art displayed in museums?

Yes! I was involved in the Harlem Fine Arts Show in February of this year. The show is an annual exhibition in New York that displays artwork from hundreds of different black artists and galleries. It was an amazing experience that allowed me to network with fellow black creatives, and even establish potential exhibitions with neighboring galleries.

On your Instagram page you have the slogan "Visual Artist of Infinite Mediums". Can you explain what this slogan represents?

I believe we are all artists in our own respects. Life just hands us different mediums to choose from. For example, a professional chef is an artist whose chosen medium happens to be food. When I call myself a visual artist of Infinite Mediums, I am liberating myself from the constraints of whatever medium I might be consistently working with at any given time. My purpose as an artist is to explore. While society may want to confine us to a particular category for the sheer purpose of understanding who we are, we owe it to ourselves to roam freely once we discover that we are not bound to expression through a certain set of tools.

"When I call myself a visual artist of Infinite Mediums, I am liberating myself from the constraints of whatever medium I might be consistently working with at any given time. My purpose as an artist is to explore".

Are there any artists who inspire you?

I admire Jean Michel Basquiat. He's a fellow Capricorn creative who I've found similarities with in terms of our artistic upbringing. Also, I admire Chuck Close for his ability to create realistic images through foreign mediums.

Are there any challenges you've had to overcome as an artist?

Absolutely! I've had to cultivate and apply a deep level of patience to my work. As artists, we tend to see the result without understanding the means of achieving it. Coming up with a plan is very tedious. I've had to coach myself through the process, reminding myself that patience and dedication were the only tools that would allow me to access a more profound execution than before.

You have a really cool fashion style! Do you think that art and fashion goes hand in hand?

Thank you! I believe so. I went on a journey of reinventing myself. That involved healing from trauma, embracing the love around me, and affirming my identity. The end result caused my appearance to reflect these changes I had undergone. The way I saw it, once my art on Canvas became enhanced through my newly established self, I figured "Why should it stop there?" And so, if my work is going to embody principles of cultural excellence and divinity, my appearance should follow the same trend. That's how my aesthetic was cultivated.

What kind of art products do you sell on your main website?

I sell prints of my original work, graphic merchandise that features digital artwork that I've created on my computer, and jewelry that I've made from copper wire and crystals.

 Art and activism has a deeply rooted history together. Why do you think art and activism are connected?

As an artist, I must be an observer. Art has always been political (even when it tries not to be.  That is a political statement in and of itself). An artist's duty is to make sense of the beauty and chaos that the world gives us. Artists observe and interpret a collective consciousness by giving us something tangible to bring an understanding to where there was ignorance, and awareness to where there was neglect. It's essentially a call to action. People are more attentive to that call when it's delivered through art.

"An artist's duty is to make sense of the beauty and chaos that the world gives us. Artists observe and interpret a collective consciousness by giving us something tangible to bring an understanding to where there was ignorance, and awareness to where there was neglect. It's essentially a call to action".

What are some words of advice you can give to future visual artists who want to reach a wider global audience?

Let the world find you. By chasing visibility, your integrity, intellect, and inspiration will be challenged to the highest degree. In most cases, that pursuit may influence you to sacrifice all three. I'm in no way saying that visibility is pointless. That's why we're artists in the first place. We have to share an intimate part of ourselves with the world. What I am suggesting is that we pursue knowledge, awareness, and purpose. We may find that our art becomes enriched by that pursuit. And that, in turn, will cause a global audience to gravitate towards you and your work, because it maintains authenticity.

Outside of your art, what are some other hobbies that you enjoy?

I love reading! I bounce back and forth between history and fiction. Historical books feed my intellect, while fiction feeds my imagination. Also, I love finding ways to support local black-owned businesses. Lastly, I enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Follow at:
Instagram: @kingprolifik
TikTok: @kingprolifik
Facebook: @kingprolifik