RADAR: Barry Yusufu
Tearsheet: Xi Lang
When a dear friend sent me a zoom link to an artist talk last year I just thought it was another welcomed distraction from the 100th month of lockdown. I was completely blown away by what I witnessed and immediately began stalking IG, curiously jumping down the rabbit hole of the artistic mind of Barry Yusufu. This impressively self taught artist hails from Nigeria and has mastered the ingenuity of mixed media (charcoal, acrylics, coffee, paper mache) to produce strikingly stylish vibrant works that are beyond compelling and visually poetic. Yusufu’s portraiture reads like a narrative of emotion and black people as a whole. The way that he understands and presents color gives an elevated experience to the genre and is truly a captivating expression of black culture. Recently Barry’s work was featured in Christie’s Say It Loud virtual exhibit and his approach to amplifying women despite societal notions of a male dominant world has been rightfully praised in the media. I grabbed a moment with the artist to discuss his creative process and vision for the art world. Check out this exclusive interview to get a look at why this phenom is on our RADAR!
Describe what it is you do in your own words.
I am a visual artist that tells the stories of my people while educating them about their power.
When did you realize that art was your gift/destiny and what continues to inspire your work?
I’ve always been able to draw as a kid, I would always draw for my classmates back in school. But I picked art professionally after I graduated from the Polytechnic here in Nigeria. November 2017 was when I picked up a pencil to draw and that drawing put a smile on the face of my friend that I drew at that time and that was it for me. I believe art could do more than put smiles on people’s faces. Art could change the world.
There appears to be some style/fashion influence in your paintings. Would you say this is true and if so, how do you draw inspiration from fashion?
Oh yes I draw inspiration from fashion because I once began learning tailoring at some point in my life with the aim of becoming a fashion designer but I had to give that dream up for painting.
Why would you say the work you are doing is important especially with the current state of the world?
I educate my people, I tell my people their stories and the truth of their current situations, and I also paint hope of a better tomorrow for them.
What is a typical day like in your creative process and when approaching new work how do you stay motivated?
I’m always living in my head, imagining the most beautiful and ugly things... I’m always painting in my head or in reality. The sheer will to make a difference in a broken society keeps me going.
What advice would you give emerging artists that are considering entering the art world? What has been the best advice you have received?
I’ll advise them to believe in themselves.... that’s all that can take anyone far in life. ” The road to success is hard but sweet at the end “ Timi Kakanda
If you could change the current art culture what would you do?
I would love to create parameters that would protect the careers of Artists. Long term.
What is your superpower?
I'm a painter.
Instagram: @barryyusufu
Article by Ayoka Lucas, Contributing Fashion Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Instagram: @ayokalu
