![]() ![]() Your art transcends the canvas, and you’ve created many larger pieces like murals. Part of the "Gilded Suns" series by Taj Francis With that, I got into doing exhibitions, mural art, and other projects for different companies.Īzimuth, Offering, and Sun Engine. It really helped me to work out my own artistic style and focus on the type of work I wanted to create. He's the one that encouraged me on this path honestly, so while in school, and after graduating, I cut my teeth on doing posters for reggae bands, making a clothing brand, and miscellaneous projects here and there. The first "job" I ever had in the art industry was when I interned at my uncle's design studio for a short stint before going to art school. Could you walk us through your journey and how you cultivated a place in the art industry?Ī. We found time during our collaboration to ask Taj a few questions about his art, video games, and his life as an artist. Nature and technology also feature heavily in his explorations, serving to inspire deeper introspection when the two are combined. Many of his artworks tell part of a larger story, and a subtle but strong sense of world-building permeates his work. From design to animation, clothing, and public works, Taj uses a variety of mediums to explore anachronistic ideas of African ancestry. Meet the ArtistOne of the first things to note about Taj Francis [is his expansive breadth of work. Make sure to check out his Instagram, as well as his in-game Bundle! We hope you enjoy Anthony’s artwork in Rocket League. I want people to feel that culture, that power, that love. My work is deeply African, pulling from being born and raised here. I want people to have a deeper understanding of people who live and breathe outside their sphere of contact. What impact do you want your art to have on the world?Ī. I've recently gotten into Apex Legends, and it's brought me a bit closer to my friends and being part of a community. I think they're a great way of interacting. ![]() What do you think about video games as an interactive art form?Ī. ![]() Oh, I love open world games, they've always had my heart. Is there a genre of game that you find really speaks to you?Ī. Different people gravitate towards different types of games. Right now, I'm exploring sculptures and storytelling, trying to really pull at the threads of my own interest. What are you currently exploring with your art?Ī. Throughout the years, you’ve worked in many different directions. So, some things work better in different mediums and I try to respect that. I try to use the medium to describe things that are great for that particular story. Do you feel that you’re able to express yourself differently in different mediums?Ī. You’ve recently been working much more in digital sculpture. It was amazing to see and also paint in my whole visual language. It was at a point where I was reading and learning and trying to discover more about Africans and where we came from, and so Yasuke was an incredible find! Here he was, an African samurai, the first in recorded history. Could you tell us more about why his story connects with you?Ī. Your Rocket League Decal features Yasuke, a historical black samurai from the Sengoku Period in Japan. The Blue Boy, The Tomorrow Woman, and The Traveller by Anthony Azekwoh Right now, I wish more people saw the process and how much work and love I put in, so I'm trying to be more open with my process. Is there anything you wish that more people knew about your art?Ī. They inspired me by their work in the digital world, creating whole worlds for people to participate in. Artists like Duro Arts, Sam Spratt, and Duks Arts are some of the artists I've loved and admired. Who has served as an inspiration in your life? And how did they inspire you?Ī. Painting after painting, year after year, I got better at my work and people started to pay attention. At the time, all I had was a mouse and a beaten-up laptop, but I was really passionate about it, and I made it work. Sure, I started painting digitally seven years ago here in Lagos, Nigeria. In a couple of sentences, could you walk us through your journey and how you grew a career in the art industry?Ī. During our collaboration, we got together and asked Anthony a few questions about his artwork, video games, and the experiences that fuel him. Many of his works appear to break the fourth wall with their stare, accepting and acknowledging their viewer’s presence. Throughout it all is Anthony’s approach toward human narrative, giving each work an abstract yet profound sense of emotion. As a growing fixture in Nigeria’s art world, he explores facets of digital painting, 3D sculpture, poetry, and short stories. Meet the Artist Anthony Azekwoh [is an artist whose work cannot be restrained by genre.
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