Interview with:william wambugu ndegwa [ndegwa]
ART
 | What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist? Am a painter who specializes mainly in abstracts.Am also an artist who is sensitive to what is taking place around me i.e. with people,the environment and construction. |
| What is your message? Through my work I try to challenge my audience to think differently and view Africa and the world -in general ,in a different way. |
| Your biography in four lines. I went to school like any other African kid,primary to secondary with ups and downs.
After high school,ups and downs then enrolled in College,graduated then afterwards ups and downs.
Luckily I had chosen Art & Design in high school which later became my savior by creating an avenue for the garage and then for Elevationism. |
| How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration? An idea is not born, it is developed and nurtured over a period.Just like in ceramics where the potter takes time to design,mold and harden.
Inspiration on the other hand,is part of ones upbringing.Nobody will ever tell you where to get your inspiration.It comes naturally and genetically in some cases. |
| What role does technology play in your creative process? Technology plays an important role in terms of publicity and new experiments.Currently I've developed close to three techniques concerning technology and art.
Some of which are irrelevant in the "African" context.But I do them for personal thrill and delight. |
| What is art? That's a huge question.Art is life itself.Art is humanity itself.
Art has no true teacher and no true critic.Just follow your heart and find the rainbow. |
| When do you get your best ideas? Anytime.
I could be working on the farm or drinking tea then something hits me.
I later on scribble them on paper so I won't forget.After a while,I develop and refine them further. |
| How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not? I usually ask people who are in the same field as me for their opinion.But it's really difficult because not everyone is sincere.
Sometimes when am stuck,I just let go and God decides. |
| Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created? Not ago but in the future I would like (if all goes well) to see galleries being divided into three categories.
I want galleries for traditional art ,galleries for advanced art and galleries for street art.
This is due to the current sorry state of affairs in Africa whereby there are no proper structures in place concerning the Arts.
People just do things without foresight and are only after money -not intellectual growth and development. |
| When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist? As a child and in my schooling days,I've always drawn on walls,on exercise books and got in trouble often.
Am also in trouble currently due to my blogging techniques. |
| Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities? Maybe because of the draining process experienced when one is working on something or thinking...I don't know.
Sometimes it's the creative ability that becomes strong and sort of "overpowers" the artist....I don't know. |
| Do you consider yourself postmodern? Yes very much.
Nobody seems to understand me(apart from friends) and I never understand them.
It's kind of lonely sometimes.
Currently am working on paintings that are easy to understand for everyone.I don't want to end up like the expressionists. |
| How should a work of art be evaluated? It should be evaluated according to content,permanence and technique.Not on the basis of stretchers,frames etc. |
| Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday? No.
Reinvention should come after a certain period.Let's say after someone has quit painting and engages in another occupation.
The "switching styles" effect is based on experimentation. |
| Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work? I admire people and politicians of the independence and civil rights period.I admire the way they thought in terms of dreams and visions of taking their (African) people to the next level.
Guys like Basquiat,Expressionists and abstract expressionists. |
| What do you think about public funding for the arts? It's good and should be encouraged.The real hurdle comes when people fail to manage such initiatives effectively.Or where there are loopholes in the educational and legal systems. |
| Is art necessary? Art is life itself.
Everywhere you go,you are surrounded by art.Without art commerce would be impossible.Without art education would be nothing.
Life in general would be boring and hard. |
| Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold? No if I sold it the way I wanted. |
| What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career? They haven't played any significant role so far but some curators I've come across have been helpful in terms of constructive criticism.
Others are very cold and hurt someones feelings.
As for the art dealers,gallery owners and agents,none so far has molded me.
Nowadays there's too much commerce going round and there's no true love for art.There's no improvement.It's all about who is raking in the big cash,the wonder kids and hot galleries.
Truly speaking,this trend has to stop otherwise it will reduce art to material nothingness. |
| What advice would you give to those just beginning? They should just focus in terms of research,experimentation and practice.
They should also take time before holding an exhibition. |
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366 visits Whohub
william wambugu ndegwa
Nairobi-Kenya
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