• How has your style evolved over time?

That’s a great question. I’ve gone through different chapters in my career. My painting started with figurative and academic techniques, but over time, I began breaking away from traditional codes, exploring new shapes, materials, and textures. Traveling to various countries in Africa and around the world has also fueled my curiosity, allowing me to discover and incorporate rare and unique elements into my work.

• What techniques and mediums do you prefer to work with? Why?

I usually start by painting the entire canvas black, then add spots of white oil paint across the surface to create a black-and-white effect. Once it’s dry, I begin adding various collages—like newspaper clippings, West African tribal statues, magazine cutouts, and paper. I also use pieces of burlap to build up the composition. The process is mostly intuitive, almost like a ritual on the canvas. I then spread coffee and walnut ink across different areas, trusting my instincts as I go. Finally, once the texture and composition are complete, I take a step back to evaluate the piece from a distance.

• What themes or concepts do you explore in your work? Why are these important to you?

I often have totem figures and shapes in my mind. At first, I didn’t understand why these shapes appeared, but over time, I realized they were a way for me to reconnect with my roots. Whenever I create a narrative in my work, it feels like those masks and heads are telling the story alongside me, which I find incredibly inspiring.

• How do you decide when a piece is finished?

Ah, that’s the hardest part! I usually trust my intuition—when something tells me the piece is finished, I go with that. Conversely, if I feel dissatisfied with the work, I won’t hesitate to erase everything and start over. My pieces contain so many details and symbols that I can sense when the energy has shifted or stopped, which helps guide my decision.

• What themes or concepts do you explore in your work? Why are these important to you?

My work is largely inspired by ancient West African tribal totem heads and masks. I see it as a modern way to reimagine these statues and masks, creating them with a huge smile to invite viewers into a fantasy world. This approach allows me to tell stories through a childlike expression, which gives my work a sense of honesty and a poetic quality.

• Are there any recurring motifs or symbols in your art? What do they represent?

Yes, my work combines different styles and cultures, including street art, primitive art, and abstract expressionism. I’m particularly fascinated by traditional African religions, symbols, and ancient totems, which create a connection between animals, plants, and the clans or individuals they represent. In my paintings, totems serve as witnesses to time, telling stories alongside me and adding a sacred dimension to my contemporary creations.

Through my travels and experiences with various cultures, I’ve become more intrigued by our shared human similarities when we seek to understand ourselves. The sometimes-oversized heads of the totems reflect the African belief in the importance of the mind over the body. On the canvas, I aim to capture life scenes that represent frozen moments, encapsulating the dynamism of living nature.
I also incorporate universal symbols like the cross and spirals, but one of my most recognized symbols is the three bars, which represent the three chances life gives us. Each bar corresponds to a distinct period in life, reminding me that life shouldn’t be wasted—each moment counts, and we shouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. As Albert Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

• What techniques and mediums do you prefer to work with? Why?

I consider my work to be free figuration expressionism. I primarily use oil paints, oil sticks, acrylics, spray paint, coffee, walnut ink, and burlap on canvas. My curiosity has also led me to explore new mediums like ceramics, metal, and wood sculptures. I truly believe that artists should not be afraid to experiment with different materials; it can unlock hidden creative aspects of themselves that they might not have expect

• Have you experimented with different mediums or styles? If so, what was that experience like?

Yes, I recently delved into ceramics, wood sculpture, and land art. It’s always a rewarding experience to explore new mediums. I often say that art is like a language— the more you learn, the more your art speaks to the world.

• What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as an artist was discovering my own identity. It’s easy to be inspired by and admire great artists, but at a certain point, your uniqueness needs to emerge. The art world can sometimes dictate trends—what's popular, which artists are in demand, and which styles are selling. But for me, art is like a diary; it’s a deeply personal journey. Over time, I’ve become comfortable experimenting with different techniques, allowing me to naturally evolve into my current style, which is a testament to my roots and sense of belonging.

My first museum group show in Spain, where I exhibited alongside artists like Banksy, Lee Jeffries, and Aboudia, was a major moment for me. Winning my first art prize in 1999 also brought a lot of pressure because it marked the transition from creating art out of passion to making it my life’s work. It can also be challenging to introduce my art to new markets, countries, and audiences—there's always uncertainty about who will connect with it.

• Can you share a moment from your career that you consider a milestone or significant achievement?

Yes, one milestone was my exhibition at Drouot, the prestigious art auction house in Paris. It was part of a group show called Enfant Soldat (Child Soldier), which was both highly successful and deeply symbolic. Another major achievement was a large-scale exhibition in Casablanca, Morocco, where nearly 3,000 people attended the opening—it felt more like a concert than an art show! Additionally, the auction sales were dynamic, with very interesting results.

Overall, I consider every moment in my career a significant achievement. A career is built by accumulating one experience after another, and sometimes you don’t realize the full impact until later.

• How do you feel about exhibiting your work in galleries like RARARES? And what do you hope viewers take away from your art?

Exhibiting my work in new galleries, like RARARES, is always a challenge but also an exciting opportunity to reach new markets. My art has found homes with collectors from all over the world—China, Switzerland, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, Russia—which shows that, despite our differences, we share common tastes in art. It’s always a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when my work resonates with new cultures, and it has turned out great every time.

What stood out to me about RARARES is the passion and talent they bring to their work. I believe that balancing talent and passion is crucial for any gallery, and I recognized these qualities in RARARES from the start. Through my art, I want viewers to experience my deepest thoughts. Life transformed me into an artist, and I see art as one of the last true expressions of human experience. I want people to take away a sense of respect for humanity, both in themselves and in others, despite the complexities of culture and emotion in our abstract world.

• How important is audience reaction and feedback to you as an artist?

I really appreciate feedback from the audience. Many people are initially surprised by the dynamism of my compositions, especially with the textures and layered mediums in my paintings. They often mention seeing a strong connection to Africa, but they also sense something deeper beyond the immediate visual impact. Many viewers tell me they feel a vulnerable side to my work, which is something I value in their response.

• What projects are you currently working on? Any upcoming exhibitions or collaborations?

Yes, I’m currently preparing for an exhibition at the Dakar Biennale in Senegal, where the art world gathers every two years in November. I also have a future solo show planned in Spain, as well as exhibitions in South Africa and some museum projects in Italy. Additionally, I’m working on some exciting brand collaborations that will be coming up soon.

• Where do you see your art practice taking you in the next few years?

In the next few years, I envision myself having solo shows around the world and engaging in institutional projects. Most importantly, I aspire to create museum installations and be recognized as a significant artist who speaks to diverse cultures.

• What emotions or messages do you aim to convey through your art?

My work is rich in meaning as it seeks to address the complexity of being human through our evolutionary and cultural history. My paintings are filled with numerous human references and characters that embody personal histories—joy, sadness, love—common emotions experienced in diverse ways in a world that remains difficult to understand.

My background significantly influences my art. Growing up in the diaspora among different cultures taught me to be open-minded and unafraid to express my roots. I often refer to my concept of the "human with a capital H," which transcends racial, geographic, and socio-political stereotypes.

• What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the art world?

I would advise anyone starting out to study the greats as much as possible; it’s essential for perfecting your craft. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they’re a part of being human and contribute to your unique story. Remember, no artist is better than another—you are unique in many ways, just like your fingerprints.

Finding balance between artistic expression and commercial success involves understanding the market. Studying how the art world operates is crucial. Your experiences will naturally lead you to your niche market. It’s also important to diversify your mediums; this can attract new collectors and open doors that may not have been welcoming before.

Thank you very much.

Mederic Turay