About
About
Embedded Files
Abena Apatu, presently residing in Baltimore, Maryland, is an illustrator and fine artist. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Art degree in General Fine Arts and certificate in Illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) .
Apatu's practice is based in realism and surrealism with themes of cognitive thinking, spiritual connections and naturalism. Utilizing dry media, mostly graphite and charcoal pencils, she creates semi-realistic portraiture on stretched paper over wooden panels. She has exhibited her work at public museums such as the Banneker-Douglass Museum, Gallery 57 West, and the Art Farm located in Annapolis, MD. She plans to pursue a Master's degree in Art Therapy and counseling at Notre Dame Maryland University in the Fall of 2025.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
My body of work combines portraiture, surrealism, and realism using dry media, mostly of graphite, charcoal, and the experimentation of color using watercolors and gouache. The inspiration for my work is the focus on topics of the mind from spiritual connections, religion, and mental health.
Another fascinating theme that has made its way within my work is Philosophy. After my personal abandonment of religion, specifically Baptist Christianity, I gravitated towards more psychological/philosophical ideologies such as Nihilism, Escapism, and niche ideas such as Absurdism and even Antinatalism. Philosophy set forth a deep and personal connection with how I assess and observe the world in an open-minded, and “out of the box” world view. The way the themes and depictions can bring about engagement within our community and to help others think deeply about the way we live is something I plan to continue throughout my artistic practice.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse