Friday, February 15, 2013

An Interview with Muralist and Artist, Ammar Nsoroma

:::Renaissance Woman::: 5:40 PM No comments Edit

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Artist Ammar Nsoroma

When I was 18 years old, I walked into the studio of Ammar Nsoroma. From the moment I walked in, my mouth fell open. I had never been in an artist’s studio, and I was in awe of all of the great works strewn about. Nsoroma was very shy and introverted, but he was talkative about his works. I sat and listened to his ideas and concepts and his goals for his future work. I was immediately intrigued, and although I wasn’t painting at that time, his creations lit a fire in my soul.

"Eshu/Elegba"
From The 7 African Powers Series
mixed media
(acrylic paint & collage)
2011

I would see him around town drawing people at festivals, and at age 19 I sat for my first pastel portrait. When he finished the drawing, I looked at it fascinated. “ How do you see these colors?” I asked him. The drawings had greens and reds and purples in the skin, and before him, I had never seen such things. Nsoroma looked at me, and with a soft voice he gestured towards the pastel painting, “You just see it!” he muttered. I laughed, and for years, I wondered what he meant. Those words left me searching for color, and because he told me that they were there, I began to allow myself to “see.” Nsoroma unwittingly became one of my first creative mentors.

"Shango"
From The 7 African Powers Series
mixed media
(acrylic paint & collage)
2011

."Oshun"
From The 7 African Powers Series
mixed media
(acrylic paint & collage)
2011

Ammar Nsoroma (born Kevin Tate) was born in Milwaukee, WI in June of 1967. He was the middle child with 3 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. An inspired child, he began creating at age 3, and with the support of his older brother who was an artist, he nurtured his gift. Like many children, Nsoroma drew comics to bide his time. By the time he reached high school, he was already a skilled young artist.

"Conceive, Speak & Manifest"
From The Franklin Square Mural Series
acrylic paint on mdo board
2011

At Milwaukee High School of the Arts in Milwaukee, WI, Nsoroma excelled in his art classes, and it was there that he first learned about murals, and a local muralist named Reynaldo Hernandez. At age 16, he and some of his classmates completed their first mural. He went on to win several art awards in school, and eventually won a scholarship to Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). Upon his graduation, Nsoroma started studying at MIAD—he only stayed for two semesters. Nsoroma said that as one of only 4 African-American students, he felt lost and isolated. He left school in 1989, subsequently loosing his scholarship. In 1990 he began to pursue his art fulltime. He traveled to New York to sell his work, and started painting murals around Milwaukee while working with the Inner City Arts Council.

Ammar Nsoroma at work

In 1991, Nsoroma decided to go back to school, and he applied and was accepted to The Art Institute of Chicago. He stayed there for 1 year. Nsoroma said that the environment was more interesting for him because he met artists from all over the world. Although he was learning, he had grown a bit tired of school, and wanted change. He went back to Milwaukee and delved deeply into his work. He began working on more murals around the city, and participating in local festivals.

Ammar Nsoroma at work

His murals became some of his most important work, and he created murals in Milwaukee, Chicago, L.A. and Washington D.C. Nsoroma’s murals were included in the book, Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride: African American Murals. The book features a collection of 200 murals over three decades of African American art.

"The Resurrection of Watts"
acrylic paint on cinder block
Los Angeles
2002

Nsoroma’s works are imagined and inspired creations. He says that he is very inspired by various works of art and photographs, but most importantly he wants to create work that is meaningful to him. Life, spiritually, politics, and culture, are all recurring themes in his work. He says that the journey of being an artist has been challenging, and suggests that newcomers surround themselves with people that are honest and supportive. He also thinks that artists should venture outside of what they know and “paint what inspires you and excites you.”

"Khepera & the Rebirth of Africa"
mixed media on masonite
((acrylic paint, oil pastel & colored sand)
2008

Nsoroma says that it’s important for other African Americans to support the arts by purchasing art. He believes it's important to our history and growth, particularly because many of the works have deep emotional meaning. “Artist’s have the ability to take things and show them from a new perspective.” says Nsoroma. He feels that this gift is very important because it can captivate people in a unique way.

Nsoroma’s murals are outstanding, mesmerizing, and bursting with vibrant color, especially cast against the bleak landscape of urban Milwaukee. They are an inspiration to many people throughout the city, and were definitely an inspiration to me when I lived in Milwaukee. His current series of paintings focus on the African Orishas, and his visual interpretation of them.