[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] I had the opportunity to meet this talented young man at the Creative Focus event I attended last year. It was almost as though we have met before, as he was friendly and humorous. His name is Yelloseesee (and no it’s not a nickname, he mentioned) Uwaoma, a professional IT Engineer turned artist. An artist who creates classic ink arts using regular pen. Let’s meet him…[/dropcap]
Q & A
- Brief info about who you are and what you do.
Yelloseesee {one word <pronounced as the regular yellow sisi>} is a fair reddish-brown skin coloured young man with dirty-gold coloured hair African artist, whose works are basically inspired by light (because I shade a lot in my works) and see where the human eyes cannot birth sight (because I do abstract arts mainly; hence the double “see”) Uwaoma.
I am an Inkllustrator; that is to say that I am an abstract artist who creates classic ink arts using regular pen.
- What’s your favourite piece of work that you have created? (Including a photo would be great!)
To be honest with you I really can’t say one particular piece is my favourite, but I remember exhibiting “Big Hands & Bigger Hearts ” at the Creative Focus Exhibition, 2013 and art lovers including great artists were really captivated (most people who attended the Art event couldn’t believe that I made the work with a regular pen even when I exhibited the pen that I used). I really felt that I was a blessing to my world.
- Do you have a favourite artist? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
For me I have a couple of favourite artists but one that comes to mind right now has to be my friend and one of my mentors; the sculptor Uche Peters. How he creates marvels out of nothing but galvanized wires and the story or message behind his work really got me.
- Can you remember one of the first things you drew/sculpted/painted/photographed etc.? What makes it memorable?
Growing up between the age of say seven and nine I remember drawing everything I see in my Alvin & The Chipmunks Comic onto my exercise book. That really made me feel like I was on to something. That right there was memorable for me.
- What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently on my biggest art piece for now, it is called “Utopia “, it is probably going to be in excess of 72 by 71 inches when done.
- Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your works?
Light is basically my inspiration. When I see light hit an object; the chemistry that is produced gets the “Uncaged Creativity ” in me pumping and raving like am good to go.
- What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
I have interest in goals and truth be told, this interview can’t cover them all. I’d like to see my classics in marquee places across the globe; the Buckingham palace, The Emirates in the Middle East, the corporate hubs in the West etc. I’d like to build an Economic Empire from what God has blessed me with, then my sublime goal in life has to be that of building the happiest home and family on earth; I want to be The Best Friend & Best Husband to my future wife. I want to be The Best Friend & Best Father to my unborn children.
- What are you doing when you’re not creating? What (other) hobbies do you have or maybe a fun story about an experience involving your artwork?
Yeah I have quite a number of hobbies; I love to dance no bi small dance o, I love to cook and serve people delicious meals. For me cooking is an artistry on its own and I do sincerely hope that someday I’ll float my restaurant.
- What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?
For me it has to be the patience of riding and grooving along with the creativity that comes with creating a masterpiece (I can remember being on the “Big Hands & Bigger Hearts” for over two months).
- What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a potential farmer. I like farm works; I love to farm a lot.
- Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
Hard work pay my beautiful people, please don’t be deceived.
- And finally, I would like to give you this opportunity to share two to four images and tell us a little about each.
Memoirs from me cheap phone (maami with her pikin): These are photo memories I randomly made with my old phone. I decided to work them into a series of classics. And this one talks about the total love a mother has for her child.
We dey find fuel inside fuel: This is a story of one of the social economic situations we as Nigerians find ourselves in. Imagine having rich oil reserves in large quantities and yet we find ourselves in “periodic ” fuel scarcity. Even when the fuel scarcity isn’t visible we know that it is there because the price of it is on the high side.
Under Construction: Like the name tells is a phase of the creation of the classic art piece of Mother Theresa; “Big Hands & Bigger Hearts “. The pen I used is visible, to remind the world that the work’s medium is pen on paper.
The Smell: Talks about the impressions and images which are created through smell.
Talk about talent right! Honestly creativity can be expressed in different ways. Most of Yelloseesee’s art are up for sales, to all the art collectors out there.
You can reach Yelloseesee via his email: [email protected]
Thanks Yelloseesee Uwaoma for participating in Bellafricana’s Exclusive Interviews!
To read more about Yellowsee Have a look at : https://artavita.com/artists/7270-yelloseesee-uwaoma
