Interview With Fahamu Pecou
Tell us a little about your background – how did you start doing art?
I’ve always been an artist. As a child it was all I ever wanted to do. I sat and drew while everyone else was running around screaming and going crazy. LOL. But I never imagined myself doing anything but being an artist. It’s less ‘what I do’ but more like “who I am’.
Music is like a drug for me, It allows me to escape. I would have to say music is my biggest creative influence. A cleverly worded sentiment or rich instrumentation or infectious rhythm gets me every time.
Why did you first start working with video?
I actually did a lot of work in video in college. Originally my major was animation. As a result I took several digital video courses. In terms of my current work, it just seemed to be a natural progression. My work utilizes marketing and branding practices to comment on pop culture. Video, reality tv, etc. are all very much a part of that conversation.
Who are some of your favorite working artists?
Robert Pruitt, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Torkwase Dyson, Theaster Gates, Hebru Brantley, Cosmo Whyte, David Hammons, Wangechi Mutu, Hank Willis Thomas, Michael Paul Britto, Iona Brown…
One of the first ways is that I appear in the work. There exists the first of many contradictions aimed at disarming the viewer of any preconceived ideas or stereotypes. The character I paint and the person I am at times seem to be polar opposites. Also, despite the fact that my paintings are representations of media, they are deliberately painted and deconstructed. In this manner, attempting to, once again, disarm the viewer. I also attempt this through the use of text and titles. This is my “rope-a-dope”. I package the work by presenting it in a familiar yet slightly skewed format, such that my viewer is drawn in, but walks away with something different than maybe what they thought they would as they first encountered the work. Once we let go of the stereotypes and misconceptions, we can really get into the conversations and ultimately elevation.
If you could collaborate with anyone to make a work, who would it be?
I would really like to do a project with Kanye West and Andre 3000 (Outkast).
I’m preparing for a 3 month residency at the McColl Center in Charlotte NC which takes place this fall. And working on a series of works called Hard to Death. This series is also referenced in my blog Passage of Right. I’ve also launched a successful brand called Yo! Karaoke which is the ultimate karaoke experience, hosted by me. And my creative agency, RED|Creative is diligently working on all manner of branding and creative projects. We have a focus on arts institutions, venues and programs. Our goal is to help these organizations secure their positioning by making their brands more contemporary, cutting edge and relevant.