Kelvin Okafor, 27, graduated from Middlesex University in fine art and is now making waves across the country. Each of his art pieces takes around 80-100 hours to
complete, over approximately three weeks in the studio. Mr Okafor creates
each piece only in black and white – using graphite pencils, charcoal, black
coloured pencil and sometimes grey pastels. Yet he believes that the range of tone, shade and
texture is almost endless. He draws on a combination of life and photographs,
working on his art for up to 15 hours a day. He admits he is ‘passionate about
precision’. ‘I aspire to create art as vivid as eyes could see,’ the artist
writes on his blog.
‘I want my drawings to prompt an emotional response, making viewers feel as
though they are looking at a real live subject. Mr Okafor describes the pencil as
‘a humble instrument’, but says this is part of its appeal. ‘I’ve
always been creative, but fell in love with using pencils in particular. ‘It
amazed me, that with only one shade of lead, you can create so many tones and
textures, and almost create the illusion of colour. ‘It was only when my images
started to create a buzz with other Middlesex University students that I realised their
impact.’ He was selected as one of the top two pieces of work at Cork Street
Gallery’s Winter Show in 2012 and recently won the Catherine Petitgas Visitors’
Choice Prize,
part of the National Open Art Competition. His work is currently on display at
the The Watercolours + Works on Paper Fair at the London Science
Museum, until February 3. Before starting a piece, Mr Okafor spends a few days
analysing a photo, concentrating first on the subject’s eyes, which are central
to his works’ impact.
His pieces are now selling for on average
£8,000-£10,000, depending on the scale. ‘The attention I’m receiving is surreal
and hasn’t really sunk in yet,’ he added.
‘I’m usually sheltered from it in my studio as I
continue to build my portfolio, but I’m really humbled and honoured that so
many people appreciate my work. ‘I hope to have my own gallery in the
future.’
He has now had more than 50 commissions, and the
dedicated artist cites his role models as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo –
because they not only mastered the arts but branched out into other fields
including engineering, poetry, science and maths.
Twitter
users describe his work as ‘incredible’, ‘extraordinary’ and ‘astounding’.
http://bunibuni.com
