Interview
Messiah
Born and raised in New York City, Messiah always knew how to discover his creative expression through his experiences and perceptions he would take in from his surroundings. Messiah wrote poetry and did illustrations while he aspired to become an actor.
He began to dive deeper into his talents as a visual artist, where he found his passion calling him to a world he never thought of being a part of. The art world is grueling and sometimes cut-throat, but that never stopped him from finding his belonging in the scene. He’s always discovering new aptitudes of what he needs to achieve and evolve in as a artist.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am Black and Puerto Rican, born in the Bronx, raised out in Brooklyn from age 9. So I’m an all-around NYC native. Growing up I was always in touch with my creativity, and would draw, make little playdough stories with my clay. In school I would be a part of every creative curriculum there was. It wasn’t until college where I discovered how much art would take my life by storm and the amount of passion I would develop for it. That’s when my journey began. My life changed, my circle became more intimate and my creativity made a beautiful turn that embarked the creative world I was being welcomed in. Wrong turns can turn out to be the right ones.”
“I’m a believer that life is more beautiful when one is self aware. The antidote for every creator is love, but it starts from within and flourishes through the surroundings you choose to plant the seeds you wish to see into fruition.”
What does your art mean to you?
“It’s a story of personal and external experiences. My love of life and romance helps build these stories I create visually. Perceptions change, so how things are viewed never remains the same, which I love because it gives my creativity novelty.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I’m currently following modern surrealism. I like the campy vibe it’s capturing to the classic 20th century avantgarde movement. Its irrational unconsciousness is really influencing my work and inspiration.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I am learning to plan my work, but mostly all my pieces are improvisational. Even when I try planning, the image changes so nothings always promised with how I plan my outcome.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“I solely work with oil paint. It’s my main medium; there’s so much to learn and evolve within the medium. I am always discovering newer blending techniques and fun ways to merge colors into one another.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Our role has always been to record history from our points of views and have it shared and expressed among others that share that common perspective. Creative thinkers and makers play a different and necessary part in contributing the joviality, mental health, political awareness and spiritual well being for our society. Artist provides their communities with optimism, inspiration and interaction while also displaying subliminal messages to our economic, political and social systems that are constantly changing. It gives awareness of the present, as well as answers towards the future.”
“My work is uncanny, spiritual and all about color theory. The message hidden in each portrait varies from spiritual evolution, poetry and awareness of humanity. I like to have a poetic flow with how some pieces are made. It gives certain portraits their own meaning.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“I like going to the Metropolitan whenever I’m looking for inspiration outside of social media. No matter how many times I go there, there’s always something new to be inspired from. I also enjoy street art as well through Brooklyn. There are so many inspiring areas to find ideas to form from.”
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I will be part of a group exhibition coming up, where I’ll be showcasing two new pieces. It will be in Brooklyn at the DorDor Gallery. November 7th is the opening day and the exhibit will be running until the 11th of November.”
Instagram: @messiahart
Other: Tricera
