In the Studio with Artist Adewale Alli

Today, we’re going In the Studio with artist Adewale Alli. Alli’s artwork will be on display in the Chesapeake Arts Center’s Creative Freedom: Celebrating Black History Month gallery exhibit, on view from January 29 - March 3, 2024.

The gallery reception for his show is on February 22, 2024 6 - 8 pm.

RSVP HERE

**Adewale Alli**

is a self-taught Nigerian visual artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. His work is a profound exploration of materiality intertwined with the eloquent language of color. Each piece he crafts is a chapter in his ongoing odyssey into the vast spectrum of being, capturing not only the splendor and intensity of existence but also delving into the enigmatic truths that elude our comprehension.

Alli’s guiding philosophy, “to inspire a new possibility of Imagination,” reflects his commitment to not just display his vision but to also provoke a transformative exploration in those who encounter his work, urging them to venture beyond the visible and delve into realms of unbounded creativity and contemplation.

Who is your mentor and what did they teach you?

His name is Asa Jackson and he advised that during times when I face creative blocks, instead of being overly serious or frustrated, I should embrace these moments as opportunities for exploration and experimentation. He suggested that these periods are often when something new is trying to emerge, but routine and conventional methods might be hindering its development. This approach has taught me to value and utilize these phases, using them as a springboard for innovation and fresh ideas.

When did you start creating art? Was there an event that led you to this?

My artistic journey began in fifth grade. Initially, I would ask a friend to draw for me, trading my lunch or lunch money for his artwork to decorate my walls. The turning point came when my father noticed these drawings in my room. Upon learning they weren’t mine, he saw my disappointment and took the opportunity to encourage me. He drew a simple dinosaur, which, in retrospect, wasn’t a masterpiece but it filled me with excitement. He told me that being an artist was in my blood and that our family had a legacy of artists. This belief that I was destined to be an artist ignited a passion in me, and I’ve been creating art ever since. Interestingly, I later found out that my family doesn’t have a strong artistic lineage; my dad’s motivation was an uncle of his who could paint. But that belief he instilled in me was all I needed to pursue this path.

Do you work on one piece of art at a time or multiple?

Traditionally, I’ve focused on creating one piece of art at a time. However, since moving into a larger studio, I’ve started experimenting with working on multiple pieces simultaneously. This approach allows me to capture various streams of thought without losing any fleeting ideas. Currently, I’m engaged in developing four different pieces, and I’m finding this process to be quite enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.

Tell me about your favorite medium?

My favorite medium to work with is fire or any form of heat. There’s something compelling about using an element as potent and unpredictable as heat. It not only binds materials together but also symbolizes a balance between danger and beauty. Working with something so aggressive to create art allows for a unique expression of beauty, emerging from the very essence of chaos and intensity.

What do you feel makes your art stand out?

“What sets my art apart is the unique language I’ve developed in my creative process. My style is so characteristic of my work that one can easily recognize a piece as Adewale Alli’s.

What characteristic about your personality shows through your art?

My curiosity and anxiety.

When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?

I speak to the work. When I encounter challenges in my work, my primary conversation is with the artwork itself. I engage in a gentle dialogue, asking the piece to collaborate with me. I openly discuss the issues I’m facing and seek guidance from the work on how to resolve them. This method of communication may seem unconventional, but I find that the artwork always has something to teach me, guiding me toward solutions.