Self portrait by Kof4art.
Hello, thank you for granting this interview I hope you are doing well. I am quite intrigued by your photography and videos so I wanted to find out more about your creative process and the inspiration behind it.
I like your work. The end product of your photos is art like, particularly your self portraits. Would you say you are an artist and if not what would you consider yourself as?
I'd consider myself to be more of a photographer with an extended imagination than an artist with a stencil or paintbrush.
You have a thing for unexpected photos that err slightly on the random side which you then edit with bright contemporary pop art like filters. What makes a good photo to you, are you drawn to unexpected/random shots and if so why?
I mostly like to take pics of the subject or person when they don't look directly at the camera. I'd would ask them to look away and think what they are feeling, whether good or bad and when they're are ready for the shot, I instruct them to say "uh hmm" rather than say "I'm ready". Cos it will take that feeling away of what they were thinking briefly.
You seem to have a thing for repeating images in a pop art series style. What is it about this method that interests you?
The pop art series style has always grabbed my attention when I was younger. I think it was an image of Marilyn Monroe in pop art form that got my attention and I wanted to create that image on a friend or subject . To me It just shows power through colours while the person or subject just keeps still..
Self portrait by Kof4art.
One of my favourite pieces by your is your ‘Roarrr’ edit of a self portrait of you yawning as pictured above. There’s something fresh and contemporary about it. Please tell me about your creative thought process behind it.
Well it was my way of expressing anger and disappointment and it was a long weekend which I don’t want to go into too much detail but I was actually yawning with my hand covering my mouth and took the shot by accident then decided to see what effects I could use and decided to add the ROARR caption as it looked like I wanted to shout and swear in anger but covered my mouth to contain my emotions.
What are you currently working on work wise. Any interesting series or work in progress?
I would like to invest in an SLR camera later along the line and discover what skills I could learn and adapt. I would like to get out more and take images of buildings that may have character or carry some history. For now taking shots randomly then adding an effect to it ,is what I enjoy ..
Self portrait by Kof4art.
What is currently inspiring you and why? It could be any reference.
The interviewer and a special friend of a lady who has motivated me to take more expressive shots. Kente cloth and wooden carvings has always got my interest when I have travelled to Ghana, West Africa . It is the colours on the cloth that seem to bring warmth and comfort inside me and I'm usually not into loud bright colours but the kente cloth seems to stand out if it is displayed in another country on a person or object that could add more character or vibrancy..
Who are your favourite artists and photographers? What is it about their work that inspires?
Not my favourite but for now its some of Andy Warhol pop art , the Campbells soup image. Something so ordinary that has gained widespread attention that inspires me to make anyone or any object come to life. Also a friend of mine who has a page called Far More Advance has also inspired me to take more shots.
Image edit by Kof4art.
What is the future looking like for your work? Art, photography wise, what are you hoping to achieve? Any goals and plans?
Definitely would like to do more photo shoots of people , places , create a collection. Want to play more with lighting and shadows on a person that shows off their expression. Also for fun, won't mind creating and directing a video . Always had that itch to produce and direct a short film especially as I am a car enthusiast and just love them in motion.
I don’t want to make all of my photography sombre or moody so I may put up some random humorous shots and hopefully display on social media..
On a last note... Please finish this sentence. Art is...
Expansive , open to anything that creates a reaction . An emotion.
The end.
I would like to thank Kof4living for the interview. See more of his work on instagram at @kof4art.