It's a place filled with feelings, simple shapes, and bright, bold pops of color. They are the results of spurts of inspiration derived from various emotions, often sparked by my interactions with others or observations. Some subjects deal with loss, the complexity of friendship, love, or its lack. Often in my pieces, there is a singular figure with one or two colors. The color represents a mood or vibe. For example, red almost always denotes pain and yellow joy or reconciliation. Color, pattern, and texture are elements used to tell my story. I consider myself a figurative artist and occasionally use photographs and other images as my jumping points for creation. There are four categories: People, Animals, Plants, and Objects. For me, variety is the spice of life. I hope that you enjoy this eclectic glimpse into my inner world.
Anthony Amiewalan is a first-generation Nigerian American born in the South, grew up in the Midwest, and briefly lived on the West Coast. He is now based in Brooklyn, New York, with his long-time partner. Anthony draws inspiration from his Nigerian heritage, incorporating wood carvings and colorful geometric patterns to create clean, sharp-lined figurative illustrations. He refers to his work as "a visual diary," influenced by his experiences living across the United States, traveling internationally, and interpersonal relationships.
While Anthony has never formally studied art, he has always been passionate about painting and drawing as a means of self-reflection and creative expression. His educational and professional pursuits have focused on economic development, particularly in areas supporting women and minority-owned businesses.
Some notable projects and collaborations include:
May 21, 2021: Website Launch
June 2021: Collaboration with Carousel Press, a women-owned business in Queens, to create a line of totes
August 2021: Partnership with Peace & Riot, a black women-owned business in Brooklyn, to sell greeting cards
September 2021: Collaboration with Local Café, a black-owned café in Brooklyn, to sell totes
October 2021: Introduction of a line of sweatshirts, with a photo campaign captured by fashion photographer Mikael Schulz
December 2021: Presentation of artwork for the group Exhibition of UNDERSCORE_ along with fellow artists Mikael Schulz and Lorraine D. Glover
January 2022: Self-published "A Visual Diary," a book illustrating life experiences
April 2022: Partnership with the Word is Change, a Brooklyn-based bookstore, to celebrate the release of "A Visual Diary" and sell the book
July 2022: "A Visual Diary" featured in AphroChic, a curated lifestyle magazine based in Brooklyn
November 1, 2022: Self-publishing of "Jojoba," a coming-of-age story
January 28, 2023: Book event hosted by BGSQD bookstore where Anthony shared his publishing journey and read an excerpt from Jojoba
April 9, 2023: Art exhibition at "A Marvelous Black Boy Art Show," a national exhibition tour featuring the work of black male visual artists and artisans
June 1 - August 25, 2023: Artwork featured in the "Love is the Norm" group exhibition at the Yonkers Public Library
March 20, 2024: Published "Eddie & Alan," a novel that sheds light on the complexities of relationships between men, the fluidity of sexuality, and what happens when the lines are blurred.
