"I am intrinsically inspired by the things to which
I am connected, and driven by an inner compulsion to enquire about and reflect on them."
ABOUT the ARTIST
Through his work Alvin Kofi seeks to enquire, learn and celebrate the traditional notions of African culture. Although a second-generation West Indian who grew up in London, his creative perspective is very much African-centered. “The genius of African art, especially its use of iconography, is how it allows us to understand nature and our relationship to it,” says Kofi. “I feel the African-centered viewpoint has been dismissed, almost lost, and needs to be brought back to prominence – not just in the world of art but also in our debates around philosophy, spirituality and our relationship to our environment.
Closely allied to the UK Black underground art movement that has not been so well documented by the mainstream, Kofi partnered with various activist organisations and creative enterprises producing numerous illustrated covers for publications and magazines through the late 80’s & 90’s when Black consciousness was on the rise – gradually becoming well known in these political and creative circles. “I shared an affinity with those activists and, although I didn’t think of myself in that way at the time, supporting them with my art was a form of activism,” says Kofi. “As an artist, you begin to understand that we are part of a community that has the collective responsibility for representing and preserving African culture. We are all part of the continuity Diaspora.” In support of this imperative, Kofi also teaches master classes, mentors up-and-coming artists, and runs a drawing programme.
Kofi’s influences have been many and varied. One of the most profound has been that of Olowe of Isé: “A master of such significance, one of the most renowned sculptors in the history of Yoruba art, and one of the last great African masters of the 20th century,” says Kofi. “Other artists whose work has had resonance include John Biggers, Charles White, Fowokan and Sir Stanley Spencer. In addition, Kofi’s close friendship with the late Roy Alderson, the English trompe l’oeil muralist with whom he collaborated and shared a deep interest in art history, heightened his appreciation for the classical European masters. Of Giovanni BattistaTiepolo, Kofi says: “When I visited Italy and saw his work first-hand I was enthralled by the scale, detail and subject matter of his magnificent frescoes.”
Born in south London in 1961, Alvin Kofi also spent some of his childhood years in Antigua. He studied graphic design at Richmond School of Art and worked for a short time at the first Black-owned advertising agency in the UK. He has exhibited at solo and group shows in the UK, US and the Caribbean, and has received commissions for portraits, murals and sculptures. He is one of the short-listed artists selected to participate in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Award 2020.
Portrait of a Black Artist
Acrylic & pencil on wood panel (2019)
Every artist has to do a self-portrait of themselves in a hat. Van Gogh and Monet did, so I decided to do one paying homage to those Black artists
who have gone before me.
PORTRAITS
PORTRAITS
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