South African Artist Peter Pharoah Began His Career in Advertising

In the early years of the Internet I found myself exploring what artists were doing in other parts of the world. In the first years of this decade I was invited to be part of a Ning community that shared their art online, with artists from countries all over the world. When I started blogging in 2007 I continued this practice of sharing other artists' work from elsewhere until Bob Boone of The Reader asked if I'd focus on our local arts community. As it turns out, this. was exceedingly rewarding. 

A few years ago I had a chance to do a few stories on a young artist from Uganda who was here in the States for a season. Steveboyyi had an amazing story, having grown up in an orphanage, eventually having to. survive on the streets once that facility closed when he was 17. Art was his escape and he is an exceptionally talented young man. 

While exploring websites of other artists in Africa I came across Peter Pharoah's work. What impressed me most was how his faces brought to mind paintings by Moira Villiard, a local artist who befriended Steveboyyi and helped assemble a show to sell his work at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) while he was here. (You can find that story here.)

Peter Pharoah's path was very different, but not entirely absent of challenges. Interestingly, both artists--Steveboyyi and Mr. Pharoah--have been attracted to similar sources for inspiration.

EN: How did you come to take an interest in art as a career and what has been your path from that moment till now?

Masai Memories

Peter Pharoah: I grew up in a family of pilots and pioneering aviators, so flying was in my blood and I dreamed of a career in the aviation industry, but as I wore glasses my parents felt that this wasn’t an option for me particularly since, at that time, there were restrictions around hiring pilots who did not have 20/20 vision without glasses. 

My mother had studied fine art but never pursued it as a career and believed that because I’d shown a natural talent for art from early on, that it would be a good start to focus on forging my path in the advertising arena. In those days chasing the dream of an illustrious fine art career was not considered a viable option, the term ‘struggling artist’ epitomised the general consensus for your chances of success by most at that time.  So once I completed school and compulsory 2 years of military service, I studied graphic design in Johannesburg then went on to work at Young & Rubicam in the ad industry as an art director.

While working at the agency, I met many commercial artists and illustrators and realised that what they did inspired me and I felt that this career path suited me far better. I enjoyed the flexibility of the working hours rather than 9-5 in the same office day in and day out. I also enjoyed the diversity of projects that came my way and another plus was that I could choose the projects I wanted to work on. 

I became fluent in many mediums from acrylics to gouache, watercolour, magic markers, pencil and airbrush and produced artworks for a wide range of subjects from cartoons to exploded views of mechanical systems, realistic representations of people and everyday objects as well as posters for movies and television shows.  I designed logos and painted murals in restaurants and bars and came up with wraparound artworks for vehicles.

It was an exciting and rewarding time for me and I have happy memories of those early days that taught me so much while still giving me the time to pursue other interests such as hang gliding (I never did lose the flying bug) and escaping to the mountains and incredible African bushveld. 

My career was in advertising. How long were you with Young & Rubicam? What did you learn from being inside the advertising scene? 

I spent the first 3 years of my career at Young & Rubicam honing my skills and learning valuable lessons that helped me on my journey as a freelance commercial artist and illustrator and then even later as a fine artist. 

Some of the most important lessons I learned whilst at Y&R was how incredibly important discipline and the willingness to embrace working hard are… especially if you choose to pursue a freelance career. Another huge life lesson was learning to understand and implement the brief, otherwise you just have to go back and do it again. In the days before computer graphics this meant starting over so making sure that you know exactly what the client wants was a golden rule, especially if you want to get paid at the end of the job. 

Going the extra mile and being willing to do whatever it takes to help them realise that vision, sometimes working through the night to meet crazy deadlines was a lesson embedded into my work ethic from early on… although you definitely won’t catch me doing that now! 

EN: You clearly love working with color. Have you always painted with such brilliance?

Sundowners (Fundraiser for Rhino Conservation)

Peter Pharoah: Once again, my love of colour can be traced back to Y&R where one particular art director insisted that everything I produced was infused with a warm, yellow glow. Probably that was where the penny initially dropped and stuck to me ever since. 

When I first started out as a fine artist, I produced a series of paintings inspired by the warm yellows and orange hues that form so much a part of the African landscape, this series of paintings was hugely successful and I received many requests for commissioned pieces in those colours until eventually it no longer felt fresh and exciting for me and I yearned to break out of that genre but was nervous to try something new when this style was popular and a ‘sure thing’. 

By this stage of my career, I had my own gallery and the internet was playing a big role with orders coming from around the world so I didn’t want to jeopardise my earning potential on something new and completely different. 

Soon after I started feeling this way, my gallery was destroyed in a fire, all the paintings, prints and artworks that were there were destroyed and even the building had to be demolished. 

Excerpt from a press article: 

22 June 2010
Excitement was at fever pitch - our home team, 'Bafana Bafana' was playing France in a nail biting game during the World Cup Soccer hosted by South Africa.

The country came to a grinding halt as we cheered our national team... Little did we know how, on a personal level, this moment in our country's history was going to change our lives in ways we could not possibly imagine...

We lost everything that night but we learned a valuable lesson, that we CAN and would endure...

That evening we were alerted by local residents that smoke was seen coming from our Gallery. Peter rushed to the gallery but it was already too late - the historic thatch building was engulfed in flames and nothing could be saved.

"My new direction was perhaps inspired by the fire that tragically destroyed our gallery. Initially it was very difficult to come to terms with the loss of all the artworks, our print collection and computer back-ups. But ultimately it resulted in a rebirth, a renewal of spirit," said Peter.

"I was more courageous in my approach and set to work with a sense of freedom and abandon that was both liberating and invigorating. I now see my career as an artist in a new light, embracing colour even more than before – using it to draw attention to the patterns and textures that are a hallmark of my style. Emphasising the manner in which these interact within the artwork and with the subject - revitalising my approach to enhance and reawaken the spirit that drives the creative force within..." he added.

"So this collection of works will forever have their place in the timeline of my career, a point of rediscovery, a rebirth and a new direction..."

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Nisha

It was at this point that I realised that evolving as an artist is imperative, otherwise you just end up ‘copying’ yourself – reproducing a formula and you lose the passion and richness that comes with experimentation. 

Colour alone is not enough. You have to use it as a vehicle to tell the story, to enhance the image, to provide contrast or to complement what is there. There has to be balance…

Excerpt from a 2020 update on the 10^th anniversary of the fire:

- 22 June 2020

No one could have predicted that 10 years later, the entire world would just STOP due to Covid-19 and the lessons learned a decade earlier would help sustain us through the dark and uncertain days that lay ahead.

Since then, we have survived another fire that threatened our home and destroyed all our neighbours' homes but we also experienced new places and embarked on adventures, encountering people and moments that have been stored to be brought to life later in the studio.

Perhaps our 'post-Covid' life will inspire another new direction. Being older and hopefully wiser, I have come to accept that with adversity we are not given the choice to ignore the opportunity to grow in a new direction.

"Being courageous in my approach and going into my studio each day gives me a renewed sense of purpose that is both liberating and invigorating. I am honoured to share my passion for Africa, its wildlife, people and even the magical colours and subtle nuances of the sunset, the textures in the rocks and trees.

Each memory encourages me to embrace originality in my subject, my brushstrokes, composition and colour choices... a reawakening of the spirit that drives the creative force within..."

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EN: My art blog is titled The Many Faces of Ennyman. I find faces endlessly fascinating and have been drawing them since pre-school. When did your fascination with faces begin and why do you enjoy painting them today?

Thamani (A young Masai girl in traditional dress)

Peter Pharoah: For as long as I can remember, I have been intrigued by faces and loved to draw and paint them as I explored different mediums. I think it initially began as a challenge to paint a face that was recognisable as a particular individual. During my time studying graphic design, one of our assignments was to paint a realistic portrait from a photograph, which taught me to really look for the subtle nuances that make each person unique as well as how the light plays on the face drawing out certain features and concealing others. 

I think the fire allowed me to become more carefree in my approach to my work; I became less concerned about controlling everything. The fire made me realise that anything can happen and if you are to survive, your only choice is to pick up the pieces and move forward. Wallowing in misery will not change what happened and by accepting this and focussing on the path ahead brings closure and a sense of liberation. Key to that transformation process was casting aside the safety of the ‘known’ and venture into the unknown with a boldness that encouraged a more experimental approach and a willingness to go places that I would not have gone before…

Nowadays, I love painting portraits in rich vibrant colours that help to define the character and essence of the person, humans are programmed to recognise the features of a face so you’re able to play with abstraction more than with any other subject and hint at the features that don’t need to be defined in order to be recognisable as a human face. 

EN: The natural beauty of the African wilderness also appears in much of your work.
Do people there take it for granted after a while or is it something that always produces awe?

The Fifth Element (115 x 115 cm)

Peter Pharoah: My passion for Africa will always compel me to experiment with new methods to convey the intensity of the African experience. Africa speaks to me on a deeper level and I travel to many remote corners in search of inspiration and the earthy ‘oneness’ I feel for the land. 

The artworks that result are more a memory of that experience than just a representation of a specific photograph or scene. Immersing yourself in the African experience is life changing – walking amongst the rhino, lion and elephant or wild dogs. Watching them, smelling them and experiencing their lives up close is awe inspiring and I have found that, as an artist, it is vital to constantly challenge oneself in life and in art – introducing elements in the form of texture, colour or subject that I have never done before… this keeps my works fresh and my approach new each time… 

Simply put… I love what I do and am honoured to share my African visions with the world.

EN: Where can people purchase your work? 

Peter Pharoah: I have a gallery in Wilderness, where I live on the southern cape coast of South Africa as well as at Kunjani, a wine farm in Stellenbosch.

EN: Do you sell through Jumia? 

Peter Pharoah: Not at the moment, it is difficult to manage stock of the originals as there is quite a demand for my work so I find it simpler to just work through our gallery in Wilderness or online through my website at www.peterpharoah.com 

EN: Do you have transcontinental outlets?

Peter Pharoah: There are galleries and agents in the UK and USA that occasionally have my artworks in their collection but most people visit my website and buy direct from our online offerings or alternatively commission pieces for their collection. 

The website is called An African Canvas, the fine art of Peter Pharoah.

To learn more visit: https://www.peterpharoah.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Contact Tracey @ Paroah Art Gallery

Phone numbers are on the website.

Or to contact by email: pharoah.art@gmail.com 

Steveboyy's Dream of Duluth Artwork NOW AVAILABLE on T-Shirts

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG POST IS TO SELL SHIRTS

to raise money for  STEVEBOYYI. 

I first met Steveboyy Makubuya in early 2017. He'd been sponsored by a church in our region to visit on a temporary visa. Despite the inhospitable Northern Minnesota weather, he fell in love with our city. A talented young artist with a wide grin and big heart, he's currently back in Kampala, Uganda, but he dreams of Duluth.

Multiple shirt styles and colors to choose from.

Those who read his story here may recall that he has no knowledge of who his parents were or when his birthday was. He didn't even have a name. He was found on a sidewalk when nine months old, raised for several years in an orphanage until the children's home closed when he was in his teens.

Since returning to Kampala he has been helping occasionally at an orphanage run by Idah Menanghe where he is much loved by the children.

EdNote: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP FEED ORPHANS whose needs are real, but you don't know who you can trust or where to give, I can tell you how to make a contribution that makes a difference.
EdNote 2: These kids love Steveboyyi. He's also helped paint buildings there and make art with these children.

 One more time:

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG POST 

IS TO SELL SHIRTS

WITH STEVE'S ART ON IT

WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING, THESE SHIRTS CAN MAKE GOOD GIFTS FOR FRIENDS, FAMILY, CHILDREN OR EVEN GRANDCHILDREN. Or if you get Christmas money from home, you can buy one for yourself. The shirts come in several styles, with the singular artwork by Steveboyyi. Here's the Link at BONFIRE.

If you would rather donate directly to Steveboyyi's Youth Outreach: Read more about this initiative. Follow this link: Go Fund Me: Dream of Duluth

The T-shirt art was designed by Steveboyyi Makubuya. His first love is making art and he has become quite skilled at it.

HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE
We need to sell 25 shirt in the next 19 days in order for Bonfire to print any. Please share this post with your friends.

Related Links
Local Art Scene: Moira and Steveboyyi
Nobody's Child
Bonfire URL: https://www.bonfire.com/dream-of-duluth-uganda/?fbclid=IwAR27WnrbZeRSyinUPAG6f0OW_nPfw2L5rfJHOWDn8VNQw_A6_F3xwA46M_k

Make a Difference. Buy a Shirt!

Moiira Villiard's Paintings Honoring the Children

Moira Villiard has been producing excitement with her work ever since she appeared on the local arts scene several years back, a young artist with an extra-large heart and ambitious desire to make a difference. Her active role in the community has been noticed big time.

During the month of October her paintings and digitally designed posters have been on display in the Zeitgeist Atrium as part of an exhibition titled The Rights of the Child. In her artist statement she points out that the United States is the only country that has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Villiard is a multidisciplinary artist whose work has grown in complexity and significance, Currently she is a full-tine Arts & Cultural Program Coordinator at the American Indian Housing Organization (AICHO). She is also a freelance writer, creative/community consultant, editor and graphic designer as well as a member of the Bush Change Network and co-director of the Twin Ports-based variety show, A Goody Night.

Here are a number of images from this Zeitgeist exhibition.

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If you've never been to the AICHO Gift Store, this next two months would make an excellent time to visit. The holidays are coming and you will most certainly find some things both locally made, unique and memorable. 202 West Second Street.

Related Links
Moira Villiard: Getting Real
Moira & Steveboyyi @ The Red Mug

Would You Like to Help Paint an Orphanage? Help Feed Children In Uganda?

Idah Mhangye (center) when Santa visited Samaritan's Way last year.

In early 2017 I was introduced to a young man who at the age of nine months was left on a sidewalk so that he never knew his parents. He was raised at an orphanage in Uganda. When the orphanage closed in his teen years, he lived a foraging kind of life near a university. His soccer skills were quite developed so that he received a scholarship there. He had also became skilled at drawing and painting, which drew him to my own attention when he was here in the Northland. Cheerful and gregarious, Steveboyyi won a lot hearts while he was here. Had there been no home to take him in, he would have certainly perished.

Samaritan's Way, 2017. (Click to enlarge)

There is much brokenness in the world, but those who suffer most are often orphans, people with disabilities, vulnerable women and the elderly.

The visit from Santa warmed many hearts. (Click to enlarge)

We in America are often forgetful of how blessed we have been and unaware of how even our smallest gifts can make an enormous impact in a Third World culture. It was through Steveboyyi, who is now back in Kampala, Uganda, that I learned of an orphanage run by the Hon. Idah Mehangye. A Graduate Teacher by profession, Idah has briefly studied at Oxford and in India, and served in the 7th Parliament of Uganda for 5 years (2001-2006), Representing Kamwenge District. She was later appointed Resident District Commissioner (RDC), by the President for 5 years, 2006-2011.

Her passion to help women and children, especially the vulnerable like the orphans, led her to start Samaritans Way Kindergarten four years ago with the help of her family. The support for this orphanage comes from her husband Henry and their six children. "A few friends chip in once in a while," she says, with gratitude.

When I asked Idah for details on the children's home and how they are funded she replied, "We have 45 children between three and six years. We currently have no regular revenue source or specific funding." As indicated, family and friends have helped support the Orphanage.

"Others are very welcome to contribute by supporting with regular funding for food and general upkeep; and by supporting or sponsoring individual children," she said, adding, "We also would appreciate regular Prayers for the Orphanage."

Samaritan's Way is not affiliated with a larger bureaucracy so that whatever money is sent will go directly to the children and Samaritan's Way, minus cost of sending.

When I sent a note to Idah that I was writing this blog post she thought some additional info might be helpful.

Two things you may want to know. One is what inspired me to start an Orphanage. My sister Margaret's husband died of HIV/AIDS. Margaret died six months later. They left two young girls. Henry and I took them on. I realized that there are many such helpless orphans who need help, especially education to enable them live to their full potential. Thus we started the home.

The second thing is our biggest challenges are food for the kids, plus rent and general upkeep of the kids including health care. This does not include stationery, utilities, overhead costs or staff emoluments.

PAINTING PROJECT
What triggered me to want to create this blog post was a desire to raise funds for a painting project. There is a need to paint some areas of the children's home. Steveboyyi has volunteered to do the work, so all we need is $200 for paint. But to be quite frank, I would not want to see the buildings look nice and have the children hungry, and you probably feel the same, so I don't know what to say here. If you wish to designate funds for food or medical needs, great!

Essentially I am pointing out a need. These kinds of needs are everywhere. Maybe some of you reading this have wanted to give in a manner that you know makes a difference, but aren't sure how. As I've gotten to know Idah and Steveboyyi, I can tell you the needs are real and none of the money will go to accountants and organizations with staff folk driving fancy cars.

SEED THOUGHT
If you are a member of a church, you may wish to bring Samaritan's Way to the attention of your Mission Board. A small contribution goes a long ways.  (Am hoping this seed will find some good soil!)

If you want to get connected, send me a note: ennyman3 AT gmail DOT com
or you may also contact Idah directly to Idah Mehangye idah.mehangye AT gmail DOT com

Thanks for reading, and sharing this post with your friends.

Local Art Seen: Moira, Steveboyyi & Wendy Red Star

Moira Villiard's new direction.

Surrealistic impressions by Moira Villiard

Steveboyyi

Wendy Red Star and Sharon Louden were at the Duluth Art Institute Friday for the opening reception of Reservation Pop in the Morrison Gallery, followed by a lecture on The Artist as Cultural Producer. The ideas in the work were expanded in book form by Sharon Louden. The first images here are from that event. The following are several additional images from last night's show/fund raiser featuring work by Moira Villiard and Steveboyyi Makubuya of Uganda.

The DAI event included a Saturday workshop hosted by Louden.

Painting by Moira Villiard at The Red Mug.

For those unaware Steveboyyi, who was with us from Uganda this past winter, had sustained an eye injury when he was younger, which was recently re-damaged shortly after his return to Africa, resulting in an optic nerve atrophy. The young artist is now blind in one eye, which was a devastating blow. The fund raiser aims to help Steveboyyi get back on his feet as well as, if possible, to be able to get corrective surgery one day.

The paintings and cards based on his art are available for sale at Red Mug. If you would like to simply contribute cash for Steveboyyi, who not only has a passion for art but also for helping orphans in Uganda -- as he was raised in an orphanage --  contact Moira (rhymes with Theory) through Facebook or here in Duluth at the American Indian Community Housing Organization where she works.

Moira Villiard talks with artist/author Ellen Sandbeck.

Meantime, are goes on all around you. Think about it. 

Local Art Scene: Moira and Steveboyyi Art Opening/Fundraiser @ The Red Mug

Tonight at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. there's an art opening / fundraiser featuring paintings and drawings by Moira Villiard and Steveboyyi Makubuya at the Red Mug Coffeehouse on the corner of Hammond and Broadway in Superior.

Here is the announcement that was sent this weekend:

MOIRA / STEVEBOYYI ART OPENING AND FUNDRAISER

DULUTH, MN - On Tuesday, September 12 artist Moira Villiard will be hosting an art opening, birthday celebration and fundraiser at the Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior, WI from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Her colorful portraits and surrealism will be displayed alongside artist Steven Boyyi's most recent body of incredible paintings that depict animals and daily living in his home country of Uganda. Prints and original smaller artworks will be available for purchase at the opening and refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public, with 100% of sales of Steveboyyi’s work going towards his medical and living expenses following his denial of reentry into the USA.

Steveboyyi is currently back home in Uganda where he's facing a series of hardships related to his health. He was diagnosed with permanent blindness in one eye as a result of a traumatic injury, and suffers from multiple life-threatening conditions that surfaced in the months after returning from the USA. Despite these ongoing obstacles, his dream continues to be bringing art to children who grew up just like him through Dream of Duluth: A Global Street Outreach Initiative.

About the Artists:

Moira Villiard

Moira Villiard is a young, independent traditional artist, activist, muralist, writer, designer and filmmaker who, by some feat of pluralism, hopes better our community through these niches. She’s known for her live painting demonstrations at cafes, fledgling businesses, event openings, and in classrooms; a major part of her philosophy is making art accessible and interactive. Stylistically, her artwork ebbs and pulls between the realms of portraiture, illustration and surrealism.

She currently works as the Cultural Program Coordinator for AICHO Galleries in Duluth, MN, curating art shows, connecting with native artists, aiding in the development of community outreach strategies, and organizing culture, arts and language-based workshops for both housing residents and artists alike. An established visual artist herself, Villiard's career as a professional painter began with the help that AICHO provided at her first art exhibition 3 years years ago. Since then, she has been featured in over 100 gallery exhibitions, art workshops and demonstrations, and has worked as an event coordinator for a variety of different community institutions. She currently serves as a freelance editor and graphic designer, as well as the Vice Chair for the Executive Board of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and is a coordinator of the Twin Ports-based variety show, A Goody Night.

In 2014, Moira came down with a chronic pain condition that prevented her from painting with her dominant hand for the next year or so. Towards the end of 2015, she underwent surgery and continued in her recovery until she was able to finally (and carefully) paint again that summer. She is currently working on a series of surreal paintings exploring topics related to commodity fetishism, "infrastructure", data clouds, blackbox technology and other arbitrary systems and concepts that form the invisible backbone of society.

Steveboyyi Makubuya

Stevenboyyi is a young artist from the streets of Kampala, Uganda who dreamed one day he might come to the United States and share his talents with the world. Towards the end of 2016, through both hardship and miracles, he found his way to the U.S. with the help of a local church and on a foundation of his artistic talent.

Steveboyyi doesn't know when he was born (though he picked a birthday of October 12 for himself in his later years). Brought to a children's home at the age of around nine months, he grew up without the knowledge of his name, his parents, birthday, or even the presence of a family. When the orphanage closed its doors, Steven was 17 -- he continued his life back on the streets, relying on his creativity and courage to survive daily obstacles. He cites the rain as his enemy and the birds as his friend during this time.

Steveboyyi had been making art since the age of 13, when the orphanage was visited by a local man who taught the children the core techniques of ironing ginger cloth with wax and painting it with watercolors. He paid attention to the man’s work and tried it for himself, developing the style he uses to this day. At the age of 20, just a few years after the orphanage closed, Steveboyyi began gathering bits of trash from the streets and incorporating it as color in his artwork. Having lived on the peripheral edge of society and in spending so much time on his own, his art became a sort living, breathing, meta-cognitive portrait of everyday life in Kampala.

“I base the pictures on my life and the lives of most of the African children who grow up on street and have talents which can be helped to become better people in the world," says Steveboyyi. Little did he know, his artwork would become a catalyst for bringing people together and enabling healing to take place in their lives.

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Learn more about Moira in this Perfect Duluth Day story.

Read my 2015 interview with Moira Villiard here and here. 

Learn more about the artist Steveboyyi of Uganda.

More about Steveboyyi can be gleaned from this DNT story. 

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Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.