Interview

Jul 7

Shoghi Aqdas

Shoghi was born in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1991 during a time of uncertainty.

In 2014, he received what felt like a second chance at life after experiencing an exhaustive immigration process to move to the United States of America. Shoghi made a promise to himself that with this new life, he would seek to be a student of life in everything that he did, and relearn the lessons of being human.

Shoghi is a multimedia artist who has worked tirelessly to uncover his style and create a body of work that represents his creative voice. His art is an attempt at self reflection and an observation of his immediate environment.

Shoghi is currently working on his first new projects at his home studio in Florida.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I started painting at a young age but learnt early on to suppress my artistic side. Art wasn’t a respected career choice, especially in an environment where life was uncertain, so being a professional artist seemed like an untenable dream. However, after wrestling with myself for some time, I began pursuing my creative expression using the tools I had available at the time. I’ve had quite a non-traditional approach to life and although I didn’t get to study art in school, I would read and practice whenever I got the opportunity.
Initially, I had no idea how to channel my creative energy so I said yes to most things that came my way. I worked on student film projects in Chicago and also attempted modeling. None of these succeeded. I didn’t quite find a place for my voice in the creative community until during the COVID period. That was when I finally saw that there was some work I needed to do.
At the onset of COVID, my friends and I attempted to craft a documentary and create a number of paintings that would be featured in the film. This project failed miserably and sent me back to the drawing board. After learning from my mistakes and working through my insecurities, I have regained my passion, and through honing that creative voice, I’ve been able to paint and create new works.”

What inspires you?

“I am inspired by everything from storytelling to the ever-courageous spirit of being human. I’m inspired by the process of life and observing the choices that lead to fulfillment, and also being able to make the unknown tangible.
I am inspired by the process of growth. Having overcome a tremendous amount of challenges throughout my life, I have come to realize that it all brought me to where I am at today.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My works explore profound human emotions and the search for meaning in oneself or the environment at large. The story being told is at times made prominent by the choice of colors, brush strokes, shapes, and layers. I invite the viewer to witness the excessive reliance on shapes as backdrops, or the intensity of certain colors.
As I work, I let the process guide me, hoping that the message will be one of a shared experience or at the very least, will engage the viewer’s curiosity.”

“I needed to do a lot of work to fully understand how art would become an important source of refuge later on in my life. The daydreams and stories I formulated became a true source of escape from the harsh reality of poverty and the unhealthy environment I grew up in.
Instead of apportioning blame or being in a state of anxiety for the rest of my life, I decided to find beauty in the simplest of things.”

How would you describe your work?

“Ultimately, my work is a quest of creative energy, but beyond that I cannot say. Instead, I prefer to leave it open-ended; a story of exploration and engagement. This period marks the beginning of a new chapter, and I leave it to time to tie it all together.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I’m most influenced by Jean M Basquiat, Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso. I find myself focused less on the artist and more on the story and message they wish to convey.”

What is your creative process like?

“Sometimes it’s an impromptu endeavor based on a raw understanding of the environment I find myself in. More typically, however, I start by reflecting on the project and seeing what emotions arise, or envisioning the colors that will come of it.
It’s an enjoyable but messy trial-and-error process, allowing for mistakes to happen and then the story at the end. I am developing the discipline of not restricting myself to outcome, but rather having fun along the way.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The role of the artist is essential, regardless of the medium used, for it allows us to feel and release the tensions we gather throughout life. Whatever one goes through, the artist is able to bring it forth in a way that helps one process emotions and experiences.
Art therapy has been an important addition to society as it gives people the tools to process the unimaginable. This way, the art piece is no longer just an asset to own and brag about, but one that gives grace to what it is to be human. That’s how I envision the artist’s trajectory.”