Dear Pennies & Pens,
One of the cool things about interviewing people is that you get to more insight on their work and creative process as well as their personality. You learn about who they are as an artist, how they create, and why they create. Some artists develop an interest in art from an early age while others don’t get bitten by the art bug until later in life. When it happens is a moot point as long as it does.
Thank goodness it happened with Derek Fordjour. Derek is a New York based artist whose been creating since the age of 3. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee but of Ghanaian descent, Derek is a talented artist. Derek creates in a variety of mediums, painting, sculpting, printmaking, and drawing.
I enjoyed interviewing Derek and gaining an understanding of who he is an artist and how he creates. With no further adieu, check out: Pen’s Eye: Interview with Artist Derek Fordjour below.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. But both of my parents are from Ghana, so I consider myself to be Ghanaian and African-American. I am proud to be Ghanaian even though I don’t speak the language.
What inspires you?
I have been making art since I was 3 years old. Art is a part of me. I am inspired by the process and its complexity, being different, and doing something that connects to people viscerally. People look at your work and they have an opinion of it. They either connect to it or they feel a disconnect from it. Either way, the conversation that art sparks inspires me.
What made you decide to become an artist?
For me, it wasn’t a decision to become an artist. I was a child artist and I just never stopped creating. I have always loved to create.
What school did you go to?
I went to a few schools but I graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. I also earned a Master’s Degree in Art Education from Harvard University and I’m currently pursuing an MFA at Hunter College.
How do you create your work?
I am a painter by trade and I love painting. However, I work in different media and I’ve done collage works as well as sculptures. Sculpting took me into the realm of the unknown and I feel that made me improve as a painter. But overall, I primarily do painting, sculpting, drawing, and printmaking.
Who is your favorite artist?
Kerry James Marshall from Chicago. He’s a renowned painter. Not only is he a master conceptually and formally, but, I have learned so much from his painting. Another great thing about Kerry is that I can learn from hearing him speak and from viewing his work.
I don’t have any lofty goals. I want to create pieces that still work in 10 to 20 years. I want to make pieces that people have an emotional and authentic connection to.
I recently had a solo exhibition at Storefront Ten Eyck that closed Oct. 5 of this year. It is an artist’s run space with a solid reputation in Bushwick. I was able to take some risks creatively that turned out to be a rewarding experience.
Upcoming, I’m working on something fun for December that I am not at liberty to expound on beyond that.
I am in a group show with lots of great artists at Edward Tyler Nahem gallery in New York entitled No Such Place, which opens February 26, 2014. And I have a solo exhibition at Jack Bell Gallery in London scheduled to open March 19, 2014.
I don’t have a favorite. I view everything as a process and I learn from each piece. I’m very proud of all of my work and I always feel comfortable about what I show.
Be sure to keep up with Derek online by checking out his website: DerekFordjour.com or following on Instagram: @fordjourstudio
