Interview with Frank Dwuye, interview by email March 2015:
1. Tell us more about your background and how/when you started creative work?
I am Frank Dwuye, a Liberian artist. I was born August 28th 1973. I started doing art at a very early age, but I really started painting when I was about 16 years. My first painting I did was that of my mother from a photo in her military uniform.
And later after the first war I joined the New Breed Painters Association of Liberia when I was about 20 years old.
2. Describe your studio practice.
Playin’ With Colors Studio is a studio I’m still working on to establish. But for now I work from my house studio. I work on water colors, acrylic, oil and black n' white painting or wash.
3. Tell us a bit about your community and country. What are some of your favorite memories? /Influences?/How has this played into your character today?
I live opposite a GSM company in Congo Town. This is a community that I really don’t know too well as I am a new comer there. I spent most of my time at work and get home late…but I think my community, neighbors are good people.
My country, Liberia, is a good place and my people are the best to live with.
Some of my memories were the civil war when I was forced to leave my country to go into another country. Lot of time was wasted and lost family members during that conflict. Finally I was to travel outside of Liberia and was exiled in the Ivory Coast where I learned new art techniques that have improved me as an artist.
4. How is your art related to the community and its challenges? How did the outbreak impact your work?
Working with NGOs like Unicef in creating posters, flyers, banners on Ebola prevention, also work on murals to create Ebola awareness messages in the country.
I also did a comic book (Tabellah Tee, which you can find on facebook), on Ebola with another Liberia graphic artist and a writer. I have done billboards on Ebola awareness as well.
5. What, in your opinion is needed now for your community?
What I think will be needed is to make sure my people and community respect the rule and preventive ways that is layout by WHO,UNICEF, and our Ministry of Health, it’s true that Ebola had reduce in our country but it’s now we fight it.
6. What are your future plans? Hopes for your country?
I pray and hope that my country is free of Ebola and have total peace that we enjoy before return once more.
7. If there is one thing you would like the international community to know about Ebola and/or your country, what would it be?
I don't think there is anything I know that the international communities don’t know.
8. Anything else you would like to share?
As visual artist I like the improvement of art in our country Liberia, there are no art galleries and it’s a shame as a country with great artists to not have galleries.
1. Tell us more about your background and how/when you started creative work?
I am Frank Dwuye, a Liberian artist. I was born August 28th 1973. I started doing art at a very early age, but I really started painting when I was about 16 years. My first painting I did was that of my mother from a photo in her military uniform.
And later after the first war I joined the New Breed Painters Association of Liberia when I was about 20 years old.
2. Describe your studio practice.
Playin’ With Colors Studio is a studio I’m still working on to establish. But for now I work from my house studio. I work on water colors, acrylic, oil and black n' white painting or wash.
3. Tell us a bit about your community and country. What are some of your favorite memories? /Influences?/How has this played into your character today?
I live opposite a GSM company in Congo Town. This is a community that I really don’t know too well as I am a new comer there. I spent most of my time at work and get home late…but I think my community, neighbors are good people.
My country, Liberia, is a good place and my people are the best to live with.
Some of my memories were the civil war when I was forced to leave my country to go into another country. Lot of time was wasted and lost family members during that conflict. Finally I was to travel outside of Liberia and was exiled in the Ivory Coast where I learned new art techniques that have improved me as an artist.
4. How is your art related to the community and its challenges? How did the outbreak impact your work?
Working with NGOs like Unicef in creating posters, flyers, banners on Ebola prevention, also work on murals to create Ebola awareness messages in the country.
I also did a comic book (Tabellah Tee, which you can find on facebook), on Ebola with another Liberia graphic artist and a writer. I have done billboards on Ebola awareness as well.
5. What, in your opinion is needed now for your community?
What I think will be needed is to make sure my people and community respect the rule and preventive ways that is layout by WHO,UNICEF, and our Ministry of Health, it’s true that Ebola had reduce in our country but it’s now we fight it.
6. What are your future plans? Hopes for your country?
I pray and hope that my country is free of Ebola and have total peace that we enjoy before return once more.
7. If there is one thing you would like the international community to know about Ebola and/or your country, what would it be?
I don't think there is anything I know that the international communities don’t know.
8. Anything else you would like to share?
As visual artist I like the improvement of art in our country Liberia, there are no art galleries and it’s a shame as a country with great artists to not have galleries.