BOOK COVERS
2023
Mixed Media
This book cover comprises two pieces of artwork: the background is an abstract painting completed on a canvas board in 2020 and the black female figure is part of a Centre Stage Series of Women of Colour Portraiture 2018, No 6/10.
Sula, the protagonist, is portrayed as rather the devil you know, who leaves a small town and returns to unsettle the black community. Yet, she is the one that they measure their moral compass against, she's the necessary evil. I wanted to juxtaposition that with this image of a black woman who has a free spirit; she does pretty much what she wants to do in life. The figure's subtle connection to the colour red — lipstick and sweater — are symbols of danger. The heart shape was chosen because Sula really is the heart of the community and the heart of the novel.
2023
Mixed Media
In Jazz, Toni Morrison used a device which is similar to the way jazz itself is played — improvisation. The novel isn't just about jazz music, it's about the word itself, its meaning and language, e.g., its rhythm. There's a musicality about it. I wanted to capture the essence of the author using jazz as a literary device.
The background is an abstract painting completed in 2020, where I used fluid acrylics on canvas. For the typography font for both book covers, I used the Phonto app. I liked the way the text is solid yet broken up in certain areas. Positioning of the book title Jazz works with the green brush lines/strokes and creates a sense of flow within the composition. The aim was to incorporate typography as part of the painting rather than a word superimposed on the painting.
COLLAGE POSTER
TV Poster
2023
Mixed Media Collage
To capture the essence of The Handmaid's Tale, I used three elements by recycling a Guardian Saturday Supplement Magazine Issue No 23 / 5 March 2022:
Background — I selected a furniture advert with its red vertical rigid shape which became a structure that represents Gilead and yet there is a juxtaposition of flowers at the top which depicts the stark contrast between the elements of beauty and nature, the Commanders' wives who tend the gardens and the dark theologian state of bureaucracy and domination.
Editorial Illustration — The figure was torn from the Guardian Magazine as a metaphor to represent the protagonist being torn between the reality of being a woman and the reality of being chosen to be a handmaiden and the oppression that inevitably follows which leads to a loss of identity. The missing facial features symbolise the robbing of a female identity and reduction to being an object of reproduction. However, there is some rebellion and torment present in the face by way of the fiery colour scheme.
Abstract Art — The artwork situated at the bottom of the collage was chosen because art features in The Handmaid's Tale, in decorative ways displayed on the walls of people's homes.
Typography — Various recycling sources were used including business cards found at home, in a Jamaican Eats Magazine, and in a few art leaflets/brochures. The words are not fixed in a straight line as I wanted them to represent movement/journey and be a bit obscure to read, especially as nothing is straight(forward) in Gilead. I wanted the typography to be colourful and to match the red and yellow of the figure, yet be absorbed into the collage imagery/composition.
CHARACTER DESIGN
2023
Mixed Media
Rebel Person fits in with the 'superhero' theme of being in disguise, their true identity unknown, e.g., with Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc., all you know is that they are men with superpowers. However, Rebel Person is anonymous, i.e., doesn't disclose their gender or race; the body image might be perceived as androgynous (partly male and partly female in appearance). I made a cut out of the figure and superimposed it onto one of my abstract art pieces (2019) that explored space and the universe.
Colour Scheme — Five colours and their variations in transparent watercolour paint were used — referenced in a YouTube video 'Expressionism in 8 Minutes' featuring Street Dresden by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1908, a painting of a crowded city. Expressionists often used bold colours and more abstract forms in order to get their message across or show emotion.
I used black micron pens no 3 & 8 for outlines and for line making the background so as to counteract negative space. Inspired by Ole Hedeager, an artist drip painter from Denmark who I follow on Instagram who features these kinds of line markings intensely on his portraits.
Also inspired/influenced by The Soundsuit — a colourful costume that covers the wearer's face and body created by Nick Cave, an American sculptor who exhibited at In The Black Fantastic, Hayward Gallery, London, 2022.
EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
2023
Mixed Media
The High Seas Treaty was a deal to protect international waters, a historic moment that involved 20 years of worldwide talks. In this piece, my intention was to analyse and interpret a Guardian article published on 5 March 2023, the day the legal framework by the United Nations member states was agreed upon for parts of the ocean outside of national boundaries.
I used watercolour paints for the majority of the artwork and acrylic paint pens for the line-making. I added text by using an excerpt from the article's headline and subheading choosing the colours green, blue and purple so as to blend in with the artwork's colour scheme.
MUSIC ILLUSTRATION — Book of Illustrated Lyrics
All Along The Watchtower
2023
Illustrated Lyrics
Mixed Media
I used an abstract realism painting of Jimi Hendrix (2021) for page one of this book of illustrated lyrics. The aim was to best describe Jimi Hendrix's music by using abstraction and figurative elements of illustration and switching between them. Hendrix's 1967 single is one of the most iconic songs of all time. It's a classic of psychedelic rock and has been covered by many artists.
The song is a complex meditation on power, authority, and freedom. Bob Dylan wrote the song after reading a poem written by a Vietnam War veteran and the lyrics describe a time of war and the desire for peace. The song's chorus, "There must be some way out of here," echoes the sentiment that war is not the answer and that there must be a better way.
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MURAL
Impressions Series No: 9/10
Abstract Realism Portraiture
2018
Mixed Media
Location: Brick Lane, London — well known for street art, graffiti, paste-ups and stickers. You name it, Brick Lane has everything. It has become known as the epicentre of the UK's street art scene.
Using Canva graphic design software, and superimposing the artwork onto a photograph, provides the opportunity of seeing and imagining the artwork blending in as an exhibition piece — very exciting!
GRAPHIC NOVEL
The Question of Ocean Traffic
2023
Coloured Pencil
Panel 1-3 (top left)
What's causing a depletion of ocean life? 'Octopus' and 'Crab' are concerned and meet to discuss the issue. They select 'Electric Eel' to act as chairperson and double up as a round table. They agree that ocean traffic is depleting and that action is needed.
Panel 4 (bottom left)
'Dolphin', one of the most intelligent ocean mammals, is commissioned to investigate the ocean traffic issue.
Panel 5 (top right)
'Dolphin' sets about his mission with a mate (safety in numbers).
Panel 6 (mid right)
The strange 'nets' are what the dolphins see on their travels.
Panel 7 (bottom right)
'Dolphin' reports back to 'Crab' that the mysterious high swaying trawler net installations that keep appearing have hidden powers and suggests they be torn down so as to stop ocean life from depleting.
'Crab' requests that 'Dolphin' undertake a more widespread mission and use his soundwave abilities to alert other dolphins of the issues, thereby spreading the news, with a request that they keep watch on a daily basis and share any alerts as to when and where these 'boundaries' appear but keep a distance from them.
'Octopus' puts forward a more militant approach of tearing down these 'boundaries' and suggests that an army of 'Great White Sharks' be convened.
Panel 10 (top right)
'Dolphins' carry out a routine check of the torn-down nets to make sure they are no longer a danger to ocean life.
Panel 11 (bottom right)
'Crab' 'Octopus' 'Dolphin' 'Great White Shark' and 'Electric Eel' celebrate their mission's success and thank 'Dolphin' and 'Great White Whale' for their leadership qualities and for their continued support.
REPORTAGE ILLUSTRATION
2023
Watercolour & Ink
Both illustrations 1 & 2 were sketched in different sections of Victoria Park, East London.
I quite like that none of the people in illustration 1 and (of course) the geese and ducks in West Lane, Victoria Park, in illustration 2, knew I was sketching them.
'Family' at Victoria Park 2/2
2023
Watercolour & Ink
The aim was to capture intimacy in the 'characters' of illustrations 1 & 2 and to retain the comfort they expressed in their body images/positions.
I felt compelled to draw these pieces, especially illustration 1, as it was Earth Day/Week (22/04/2023) and I was focused on nature, wildlife, and the importance of trees in relation to climate change.
I've been to Victoria Park numerous times. Each time I visit, it's never the same experience, even though there are similar activities going on, e.g., family/friend social gatherings/picnics, people walking their dogs, cycling, and skating.
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