Satellite Voices

Dubai

Inside/Out: Amartey Golding

February 20, 2012

The British artist is making his mark on the international art scene with his mesmorising figurative portraits

• Text by Kate Hazell

Up-and-coming British artist Amartey Golding and Tashkeel teamed up with Fn Designs, Surf Dubai, and Bradley Kirr to produce a full month of skate, surf, and art activities to get you on your boards and inspire the inner Picasso at the Showcase Gallery. Satellite Voices talks to the artist and what inspires his current work and his first one, a cow made for his grandmother.

Satellite Voices: What was the first thing that you ever made?
Amartey Golding: My first memory of making something was, when I was three years old and made a drawing of a multi-coloured cow for my grandmother. I drew it with marker that she brought for me from the corner shop. Thinking back to it now, the drawing probably looked nothing like a cow at all, but my Granny absolutely loved it!

SV: What is your dream project?
Amartey Golding: Its a very utopic and imaginative project, an idea I had a year ago. I will be looking at a specific aspect of our society and how a drastic change in our architecture and design could perhaps accommodate some really positive changes in the way we live, work and occupy the cites we live in. It’s such a fun project and I really can’t wait to start immersing myself in it. I cant give too much away yet though.

SV: What do you wish you had created?
Amartey Golding: It's hard to say to be honest as I really appreciate the fact that someone else has created most of the things that I admire or I am impressed by. If I had to choose one now, it would be sliced bread, because eating bread in chunks is never fun!

SV: Who's work would you recommend on checking out?
Amartey Golding: I would definitely have to say Stephan Geisler. His pieces are so colourful and captivating. Stephan's work consists of process orientated paintings that draw upon a mixture of realistic and abstract influences. He’s having an exhibition in the Showcase Gallery in October this yea.

SV: How do you describe your work?
Amartey Golding: I mostly work with charcoal and photomontage, predominantly focusing on form. I would say my signature style is the use of charcoal to create angular crosshatching on paper or canvas. My early work consisted of stylised, figurative portraits focused on the thoughts and contemplations of the individual. As my work develops I am exploring my own philosophies and ideas, through the use of large drawings and mixed media photomontage. I sometimes use symbolic imagery  to convey a concept, story or narrative. Overall, I would say that positivity is a common theme throughout my work, and despite first impressions there is always a positive message behind my work.

Showcase Gallery @ 

Showcase Gallery
Al Serkal Avenue
Al Quoz
Dubai