Contrasting Reality: Prince Jyasi
Dreaming to be an aspiring abstract artist Prince Jyasi shows his creative power on Iphone photograhing through the past four years. Putting his fears aside he shows his journey through a small lense adding so much contrast between colours and the real world. He is a person who will push himself throughout his work untill he gets the perfect shot. When you are being true to yourself, you are completely honest with what you feel, It also means communicating your feelings wholeheartedly both with yourself and others, We met with Prince Jyazi to have a conversation on allowing the truth into the world.
How did you decide you wanted to work in art?
Prince Jyasi: I started pursuing art in 2010 but I took it seriously in 2015. Art is the only way I can tell my stories and express myself.
It all started when I was in high school, I studied visual art at Accra Academy, one of the best high schools in Ghana. I remember taking photos of objects, places and basically anything vibrant. Eventually, I started creating concepts for my friends and taking pictures of them.
I have always been aware of the fact that I really wanted to pursue art, but I had some doubts. “What if I don’t make it as an artist?” It might sound kind of strange, but the fears that I have are the exact same reasons that compel me to embrace art in the first place. So I have no excuses, but continue creating and putting my fears aside. I took baby steps, I wasn’t very good when I first started taking pictures, but I am confident now and I’m still embarking on the journey. There’s definitely room for improvement and I am willing to keep pushing till I reach my full potential.
What would define the feeling of holding the camera for the first time?
Prince Jyasi: I shoot with an iPhone and it’s always been an awesome experience. The norm is not for everyone. I’m different and I’m stubborn. I like to challenge myself to do the same thing that most photographers do using just my phone. I don’t want to die a photographer, I want to die an artist. Most of my images look like a painting from a far and I call them art pieces not photographs. I want to be one of the top artists in the world and I want to leave a legacy.
When you are being true to yourself, you are completely honest with what you feel, deeply value, and desire.
What has been your most memorable picture that you’ve taken?
Prince Jyasi: So far I think I will say “Fruitful”. I had an emergency just when I was about to shoot British Famous Actress Michaela Coel & Nana Kwasi Wiafe. I remember I had to attend to an emergency and I had to shoot Michaela and Nana in a few minutes and head to where I was supposed to go. This day was the shortest time I have spent at a shoot but God being so good the pieces came out beautifully.
How important to stay exactly true to yourself within your art and why?
Prince Jyasi: When you are being true to yourself, you are completely honest with what you feel, deeply value, and desire. It also means communicating your feelings wholeheartedly both with yourself and others, allowing your truth to flow through you and into the world. This is how people will feel connected to you and that’s what art is supposed to be.
Is your work more about creating moments or observing them?
Prince Jyasi: My works are usually staged and I do them to convey true messages and to tell true stories from my country Ghana.
How can people experience your work? How did you come across with Nil Gallery?
Prince Jyasi: Nil Gallery Paris is showing my artworks for the third time which is going to be at the Pulse Contemporary Art Fair ‘18 during the Art Basel week at the Indian Beach Park, Miami Beach from December 6 – 9, 2018.
I met Nil Gallery Paris through one of their co-founders Paul William a few months ago and later signed with them in August. The first time they exhibited my works was at the Seattle Art fair last August and artsy named my work as one of their favorites form the art fair.
I don’t want to die a photographer, I want to die an artist. Most of my images look like a painting from a far and I call them art pieces not photographs.
Do you have a milestone in your life where you really felt you are an artist?
Prince Jyasi: Yes! I do. There are times people hit me up and say my work healed them from a bad mood or depression and my work made their days better. This is why I do what I do and that’s what makes me feel like I’m fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.
What is contemporary for you?
Prince Jyasi: Contemporary to me is a person or a thing from the same time period. Contemporary can also describe things happening now or recently.
A colour that inspires you?
Prince Jyasi: I love all colors
Your work is fulfilled with contrasting colours. What is the story behind the way your work within your imagery?
Prince Jyasi: I had aspirations of becoming an abstract painter which I was growing up and I used to make music as well. I always wanted people to see my lyrics as colors but as time went by I put those aspirations aside and got hooked on iPhone art image making and for the past four years I have been developing a style based on love of bright hues. Color can serve as a therapy, it can treat depression and transform emotions and I’ve studied those things because I want to make art that makes you feel better.
Art Pieces like “The Wait 2” is from the Boxed Kids Series (@boxedkids) which is a non profit I have started with my girlfriend and partner Kuukua (@kuuksss) is a true story. This series focuses on the underprivileged children who live in the fishing community of Jamestown. The title refers to kids who are trapped in a place or situation. Their parents can’t afford to send them to school, so they are growing up missing out on those opportunities and privileges they’d get from an education. In 2014 my mother organised an event in Jamestown to provide food and clothes, which got me thinking that the answer isn’t handouts but to show them the way. We (my girlfriend, Kuukua @kuuksss) set up an Instagram and a GoFundMe pages.
How would you define the night of your dreams?
Prince Jyasi: Peaceful.
