“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter.”
OSCAR WILDE.
I am continuously drawn to believe that art is and has always been a story, an expression and a language, more to do with the artist than those that spectate the process of its formation, or those who would observe its finalities to decipher hidden messages and encoded subject perceptions. In the end, it is the person- the artist, and the artist alone that with their art, speaks.
“A work of art is a world in itself reflecting emotions and senses of the artist’s world. “
HANS HOFFMAN.
All who gather around every painting, musician, poet and dancer, do so because the artist has proverbially opened their mouth and as humans, we are wired to take in, and want to take in from each other; even more so through the interesting ways art is capable of sparking and elevating human curiosity. There is a knowledge in art we do not want hidden from us. So we draw closer to the paintings and sculptures. We furrow our brows and tilt our heads to the side. We cross our arms over our chests and hold our chins up in subliminal distractions that fuel the inquisitive nature in us, about us;
“For we use mirrors to see our faces but works of art to see our souls.”
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW.
Meet Paula Nyagabyaki; a female artist reflecting the world she discerns in her own eyes, seeking to lead and guide with her artistic opulence and the knowledge it reveals- an artistic matriarch, and only 18 years old.
“Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.”
PLUTARCH.
I believe that when I look at the work of this young matriarch. I also recall the truths of artistry that are exhibited in this artist’s life; truths of courage and tenacity. This in the understanding that at this stage of life for most people, their abilities, the direction of those abilities and most of all the application of those abilities in their direction is something vague and ambiguous, still forming in their mind’s eye. Paula is already at it though, in ways that reveal a great depth of perception from the sight her mind’s eye has bestowed her- communication and thus a leadership.
“For the art of communication is the language of leadership.”
JAMES HUMES.
I was privileged to get in touch with her and ask her a few questions about her artistic journey. Here’s what she had to say;
1. So painting and art, huh? How did that happen? What about that kind of art drew you to it to be the kind of artist you are now?
PAULA: As far as I can remember, art has always been a part of me. Painting and the kind of style was more or less unplanned. I think it was two years ago that I had decided to step out of my comfort zone which was pencil work and venture into painting. In the process of looking for materials, tips of the trick, I met Emmanuel Epiu, an artist, who somehow along the way began mentoring/teaching me. The rest, well the rest is history. In relation to my painting style, I’d say that was really predestined by my acquaintance with Emmanuel; I was sort of pushed to the direction of his style, one that I’ve grown to understand and love over time.
2. What or who inspires you to do what you do?
PAULA: There so many artists that I’ve studied over time, and the level of talent, ambition, and skill has truly been a great inspiration to me. Seeing people like this is what pushes me to strive for so much more and at the same time still stay true to myself and be real.
PAULA: I’m so ready to see where my art takes me and how far I’ll go with it. One of my biggest aspirations is to be able to reach a point where I’m evidently making a statement, evoking a movement through my art. A time when a society sees, is drawn to, or inspired by the message, then the art; the power of the voice behind the art.
Through it all, my biggest joy is sharing my art with others and seeing the impact that my art has on even just one person. Sharing opens up the discussion of various interpretations and stories that someone would depict from the art. It also has a lot to do with my voice in the art connecting with the world and there really is inspiration and encouragement to dig even deeper with my art and share more.
PAULA: I guess being able to have an artistic talent. In that way, I’m given the opportunity to use my art as a controversial, cultural, or traditional platform. I believe that with art, whichever form it may be the artist has the liberty to express themselves without any restriction whatsoever under the pretext of your message just being the art. It is most definitely a huge plus for us as artists, a loophole we need to take advantage of; the opportunity to be as loud as you can without being silenced is our biggest gain.
5. Apart from painting, what else is Paula about? How would describe yourself and what you are into?
PAULA: Well, if you’d ask me to describe myself I’d say I’m quite an introverted person. I guess that’s why art has fit in perfectly for me alongside my love for words. Literature, spoken word, poetry is such a beautiful form of art, and being able to lyrically portray a story is impeccable. Besides that, I’m one of the biggest thrill seekers, drawn towards a challenge and the satisfaction of adventure.
PAULA: Being a rookie in this industry, considering my age I’d say all the odds are in my favor. With what I do I’ve noticed that most people have been drawn to me because of my age and the whole idea of supporting and getting to know an “18 year old female artist’.” From what I’ve seen, not even just with me but with a lot of young ‘artists’ (art in general) who are doing remarkable things with their talent, the reaction from the world is so much more positive and extraordinary. There seems to be some kind of fulfillment at the idea of innovation by the new generation, and really in my opinion, it’s an opportunity that every young person should run to… after all, we all grow up.
PAULA: With my focus at the moment being portraits, I’d say what really gets me so excited is being able to capture emotion and the story behind the face. It really is thrilling to see yourself grow knowing where you’ve come from. With every brush stroke not only do I watch a completely blank canvas come to life but I’m one step closer to being a better artist than I was yesterday. All in all there’s this connection that an artist will have with the painting, in this case the person; you learn to be attentive to detail and notice things that make a person who they are. The art becomes a part of you and as well reflects just a bit of you through the painting.
I am inspired and encouraged by artists like Paula, who are very well aware of the power and ability they harness with their decision to continuously press into reflecting the world around them for positive reaction, from the world that sees itself in such a vibrant creation of color.
I see the stories she tells in her portraiture; in the bright eyes, black masses of hair and rich brown skin she paints of them. I see the longings she portrays in the simplicity of the blue and green of the world in the sky and the trees.
I see her stepping out to do the thing she knows she can do; evoke movement through her art. When society is drawn to art and inspired by its message, then society can as well be guided, chastised, admonished, encouraged and celebrated. It begins with the voice behind the art though.
I celebrate that this generation of artists like Paula, who do not only understand their mandate, but are very well aware of the power and influence they have with what they can do.
The art of freedom, is an expression after all.
augandanartist.com 