LAKWENA MACIVER: DECORATION AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
Lakwena’s bold and polychromatic work is informed by the use of decoration as a means of communication. As a form of expression within a political world, Lakwena explores how the use of adornment in worship and myth-making translates into contemporary popular culture.
Transforming one cityscape at a time, words and text are central to her practice, used as both images and anchors of meaning, borrowing from the techniques and conventions of traditional sign-writing and contemporary graphic design.
With an aesthetic that draws upon her formative years in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and her native London, Lakwena has created large-scale outdoor murals in cities from Miami to London, creating bold messages of hope in urban landscapes.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an artist?
When I was 19 in Brazil and I started making drawings and paintings and it clicked. I’ve always drawn. I’ve always been good at it and found it satisfying.
How does your background influence your image making?
In lots of ways. My cultural background is a bit patchy. Nothing solid. Half Ugandan, half English. Bits of my childhood in Africa. Teenage years as a minority. I began making images as a way of defining who I was. Celebrating and solidifying the mishmash heritage that I did have.
What is your creative process from inception to creation?
When I’m really creative it will begin with prayer, music, meditation, writing and then I’ll paint from that place.
You have a very bold and instantly recognisable style, how did this develop and how would you describe your artistic style?
I love words. They’re like an anchor for me. They’re what it’s all about. I don’t like describing my artistic style to be honest.
Your exhibition in response to the 2017 election results was call ‘The Future’s Gold’. Where did that title come from?
That project was all about the future; this environment of everything being very politically charged and polarised. And people saying ‘Oh if this party gets in power then everything will be much better’. And I was saying that I didn’t have my hope in any current government, I was looking to a future one. One that is higher, deeper, fuller, sweeter, older, newer, bolder, brighter and more glorious.
What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself motivated?
Two things; my own work, Jesus. He’s really the only thing I care to make work about when it comes down to it. The motivation for commercial work is generally paying the bills, but also to some extent engaging with the wider world. Like any job. It gives you a role. Without it you can get depressed.
Which piece of work has given you the most satisfaction in producing?
‘I remember paradise’: A 132 foot mural in Miami. It was my first huge mural and I just couldn’t believe that we had done it.
Who and what are your main influences?
My mum was a part-time activist back in the day, before it was cool to be an activist. She taught me that everyone has an agenda, everyone has a worldview that they are putting across. So she enlightened me to that.
What soundtrack do you like to work to?
Lots. I have very eclectic taste in music, it depends on my mood. Right now Abimaro, Eska, Childish Gambino, Boney M, Zaiko Langa Langa, Des Ree, Gyptian, Lauryn Hill.
What artist or artists inspire you?
Richard Woods, Kerry James Marshall, Hassan Hajjaj. All amazing. But I’m actually on a thing right now where I’m trying to withdraw. Just to do me and see what comes out.
You’ve worked on pieces in London, LA, Miami and Las Vegas. How did these come about and what did you take from the experiences.
All through people seeing my work, liking it and asking me to do more. I learn a lot every time I travel. My pre-conceptions are always challenged about people. I’ve met so many really interesting Americans. I’d assumed they were all conservative and a bit dated. But I’ve met the most interesting people.
What books, blogs and online resources do you use for creative inspiration?
Depends what project I’m working on. But I find myself returning to Emory Douglas, the art of the Black Panthers, Art in the age of mass media by John A Walker, Song of Lawino, by Okot P’Bitek, the Bible.
