THE OUTPOUR
AKIN OKUSAMI
AKA
AXEMATIC
Akin Okusami (aka Axematic) is a self-taught digital artist utilising traditional techniques, as in, the stylus is his brush and the tablet screen being his canvas. He describes his style as Digital Renaissance, as he is inspired by the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Romantic periods of classical paintings, with Carravaggio being his favourite painter. He is also influenced by the likes of Van Eyck, Rubens, Vermeer, Barkley L. Hendricks, CJ Hendry and Jean- Michel Basquiat among others.
The primary focus of his artwork is creating portraits of predominantly Black people (mostly family and friends); portraying them in a grandiose and dramatic fashion. He loves to elevate his people.
He also likes to do social commentary, usually expressed through anthropomorphised animals. However, he has experimented with abstract and cubist portraits also, which has helped him to express himself more artistically. He currently lives in west London, where he was born, but grew up predominantly in Hackney and Peckham. His parents were both born in Nigeria.
In early 2022, I lost my lifelong friend & star musician, Alphonso Bondzie aka Skibadee to diabetes. It was a devastating loss. As also his former manager and advisor, I immediately began to arrange his funeral proceedings and raise money for his daughters. The fallout from his death was an even worse experience than his loss. A truly traumatic experience. I was unable to create art for 6 months. Internal conflicts over his legacy and money meant I struggled to keep all parties happy. After he was buried, I shut myself off from the rest of the world. I spoke to no one. Luckily, we had an extremely hot summer. So all I did for 2 months was go to the park all day and paint. This was one of the 1st pieces I created in frustration to my experience with burying Skibadee. It’s an expression of how I felt in the aftermath of his passing.
It Is What It Is 2022
This is the first of 3 a piece series. It celebrates world- renowned Brixton as a historic population centre for black people in the UK. But these days, you can't talk about Brixton without talking about its widespread gentrification - an extremely sore point for many locals.
In summer I took a trip to a hip-hop event in the Brixton Village courtyard. Aside from it being an amazing evening during one of the hottest summers ever, the vibes reminded me of the 'old' Brixton that I remember from the 90s. This man was one of the revellers. He was there with his 2 adolescent kids. They were all sporting modified Jamaica football jerseys which looked epic! But what struck me most about this family was they looked like a throwback to the times when thousands of families like theirs populated the Kennington-Brixton-Streatham metropolis.
Brixton Village I 2022
The 2nd of the Brixton Village series. Like the 1st, these 2 kids were at a hip-hop open-air event in the Brixton Village courtyard in summer '22. They are sporting modified Jamaica football jerseys. I love how they all (including their father - the subject in BV1) are all wearing individually customised tops. Another thing to note is that at the time of the event, the Brixton Village were also doing an exhibition featuring the WOM Collective - a group of female artists that cover everything from fine art to graffiti. Featuring in the background of all Brixton Village pictures are the works of Layla Andrews who had a poster installation of her work in the courtyard, and provides a colourful backdrop to each piece. The poem 'Di Great Insoreckshan' by Linton Kwesi Johnson written in 1984 as a response to the Brixton riots that occurred 3 years earlier, is also in the background.
Brixton Village II 2022
Fast Fashion 2022
This is part of an ongoing series I've called Planet Zoo. This simple piece deals with central themes within the diaspora. There’s the age old issue of black women, particularly those of darker tone & the struggle to be viewed as beautiful within their own community, as well as, the wider world. Issues of colourism, the place of African beauty standards in the western world etc. Concurrently, it examines issues of Black people's influence in high fashion, and the roles visible Black folks in western culture, like Jordan's role in sneaker culture or rappers on streetwear. Plus, how high fashion often appropriates designs and trends from small Black designers, effectively making them invisible in the industry.
As with most of this series, the animals essentially symbolise African/Black folks, their roles within the diaspora, and their integration within a different society.
I was struck by how Black women were overwhelmingly the largest presence at the George Floyd protests. The emergence of likes of Michelle Obama, Serena Williams & Beyoncé; as well as Black women's roles in founding of #MeToo & #BLM has undeniably shaped our world recently. I'm intrigued as to why they frequently occupy the bottom rung of society when they are often amongst the sharpest and strongest people I know!
This was one of my first fine art pieces since I started taking art more seriously. Naturally, I'm inspired by a plethora of strong- willed Black women from my mother, sister, aunties & cousins to female friends, lovers and colleagues; all the way up to celebs, queens and female icons.
I've also been intrigued in seeing them in ancient European garb like Roman Legionnaire attire.
She Ready 2020
Lisa 2022
As some may have gathered, I like to do portraits of black people, and particularly black women. They have suffered probably the most in terms of objectification, exploitation and generally getting a shitty deal.
Some of us know the significant power that they possess. A black woman in your corner is quite a big deal.
My friend Lisa is one of the best. I’ve known her for an age. She is one of best humans I know. A incredibly beautiful woman, Lisa has a magnetic personality that lights up any room. Plus, she always correctly reads said room. She’s extremely stylish, and I’ve seen her command legions of strangers at a function.
Luckily for me, she one of my biggest supporters. She is unofficially my manager, advisor, curator and muse. A best friend. This is my tribute to her.
Not everything is as it seems, and not everything is a threat to you.
This is a conversation piece on the differing views on black men. It challenges the fear in some sectors of society who judge the appearance of the likes of George Floyd and Mike Brown; a fear that appears to have been extended to “lesser threats” such as likes of Tamir Rice and Sandra Bland.
For many in the black community, this has lead them to believe that anyone of their members can be can be targeted for anything at anytime. Doing whatever, while being black.
With his gold “chaps” and chain, confident pose he is neither a rapper nor gangsta. He is someone’s son, brother, father or colleague. He is someone’s best friend.....he is someone’s dawg.
This is another piece in my Planet Zoo series.
That's My Dawg! 2020
Oga 2022
Another in the Planet Zoo series.
Growing up in Nigerian household, as well as living there briefly in my childhood, I have always been fascinated by the 'chairman' or the big boss concept that forms part of our culture. Seniority is paramount in African society, but so is image. Africans associate portly stature as a compliment to status. A chubby middle-aged man, wearing a flowing 'agbada' who merely suggests he has money can go through scenarios virtually unchallenged. In fact, they do! They sometimes prey on the poor or uninformed knowing literally anything they say won't be questioned. The status of chairman is so powerful. Living abroad goes a long way towards cementing this, despite the fact that you may be on social security in that particular country.
A local DJ, promoter and event organiser commissioned me to do a series of monochromatic illustrations of Black heroes. He has Warhol Marilyn prints in the living room of his fine Maida Vale apartment, but wanted to replace them with his own black icons.
The commission has started with four: Angela, Malcolm, Martin & Marcus; but has no upper limit.
Angela is blue. An angel, but was probably the total opposite of that to her enemies and detractors. Those of us that grew up knowing of her know that unmistakable stare.
