From Architect to Artist: How Arthur Timothy’s Lifelike Paintings Reflect His African Homeland

There is a high-quality line between artwork and structure. They’re carefully linked and have influenced one another for hundreds of years, and plenty of artists from centuries previous have mastered portray, sculpture and structure. For Arthur Timothy, the transition from architect to artist was unintended.

“My son gave me a big canvas which he had stretched on a picket body on current on Christmas Day in 2018,” the West African, England-based artist shares. “I feel he was attempting to encourage me to color as a result of he sensed my frustration at not producing paintings commonly.” 

Born in Accra, Ghana, Timothy’s work displays his fast household life, alongside together with his historical past and recollections within the nation, Sierra Leone and the UK. His work are repped by Gallery 1957, a up to date African-owned artwork gallery with areas throughout Accra and London.

Right here, Timothy shares with EBONY the arc behind his transition.

EBONY: You went from architect to artist. How did that occur?

Arthur Timothy: I had all the time cherished drawing and portray, but it surely grew to become a interest I indulged in solely sometimes. I commonly attended artwork exhibitions and preferred to debate the work of different artists, which was a powerful trace for me to create my very own work. Portray grew to become a welcome break from my architectural work as a result of I might be artistic with out answering to anybody.

What do you keep in mind about that first canvas your son gave you?

The canvas was arrange on an easel in my architectural workplace close to Tower Bridge in London. I didn’t contact it for about three months. I continuously walked previous it and would really feel barely responsible as a result of I had not began to color. Ultimately, I tentatively began sketching a composition from an outdated black-and-white {photograph} primarily based on my mom and a few relations. After I completed, I obtained one other canvas and accomplished one other portray. I actually loved the method. It was urged that I submit each work for inclusion within the annual Summer season Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts in London. I did, and to my nice shock, each work had been chosen for show at The Royal Academy Summer season Exhibition in 2019. My launch into the artwork world occurred in 2020 through the pandemic. My portray entitled Brothers went to the everlasting assortment at ICA Miami. I used to be provided my first solo present with Gallery 1957 in Accra the next 12 months.

How would you describe your creative model and the messages you are attempting to convey?

I see myself as a painter and draughtsman specializing in figurative artwork, portraiture and panorama. I’m not so involved in model as it may be limiting. I feel the article in portray photos is to attempt to transfer the senses by intensifying actuality. How this may be achieved depends upon how intensely one understands and feels for the particular person or object of 1’s alternative. I feel it’s doable to speak emotions to everybody who views a portray by way of the depth with which it’s felt. I hope my work conveys all that’s good in regards to the human spirit, together with heat, pleasure, love, kinship and sweetness.

This assortment is in honor of your late older brother. How has it been a launch and catharsis for you?

Desmond Timothy was my beloved older brother. His passing at a younger age was a really painful expertise that I realized to reside with over time. Nevertheless, on the time, I couldn’t course of the lack of somebody I cherished so dearly. In my thoughts, I created an imaginary fortress that will be impregnable to the rest that life may throw at me after that loss. My outlook on life modified. The creation of the Desmond assortment of work allowed me to replicate deeply on our time rising up collectively; to replicate on his persona, humorousness, heat and geniality. Most of all, it allowed me to return to phrases with my loss. Vivid recollections got here to life through the strategy of portray. There have been moments of pleasure, humor, reduction and even transfiguration whereas creating these work. This was the catharsis I skilled.

Why is it essential on your work to be represented by an African gallery?

As an artist of Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean descent, it was essential for me to work with Gallery 1957 due to their dedication to African diaspora artwork and their integrity and real curiosity in nurturing native artists. Gallery 1957 has championed artists from Africa and the diaspora for a very long time. It launched the work of main artists comparable to Amoako Boafo, Kwesi Botchway, Gideon Appah and plenty of others to collectors and establishments within the West. I’m happy to have exhibited in Accra, London, Dubai, Dallas and just lately in New York’s Armory Present with the gallery.

What’s the one merchandise you want available to finish your work?

It’s important for me to have music enjoying when I’m finishing my work. I like jazz artists comparable to Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and Invoice Evans. I additionally like up to date musicians comparable to Yussef Dayes, Eddie Chacon and Afrobeat stars together with Burna Boy, Tekno and Kizz Daniel. And I additionally like to take heed to my son Duval Timothy’s music.