By Sainabou Sambou
Yusuf Nwosu is one of Gambia’s finest ‘pencil artists’ who thrives in the realm of realism art.
In this interview, Mr. Nwosu declared his ambition, together with some friends, to establish the first realism pencil art industry in The Gambia. He disclosed that The Gambia does not have realism pencil art industry; that the only art industry in The Gambia is painting and craft.
Explaining the background to his career, Yusuf said he is passionate about drawing, and described himself as a person who is attentive to details.
He said his love for drawing started since he was a little boy and affirmed that he has been in the art industry for five years.
“I am a realism pencil artist,” he declared, and expressed his ambition to engage in hyperrealism drawing in the future. “Realism pencil drawings are different from painting and other craft works,” he clarified, saying Gambians are mostly familiar with paintings and other forms of art.
Citing some of his challenges, the young artist said that it is difficult to get the proper tools for their work and there is no art store in The Gambia where you can get all the materials that you need for your work. He said he is lucky that his friend supplies him with some needed equipment.
He further lamented about the lack of market for realism pencil drawing in The Gambia that he knows about. “I usually I sell my drawings through my social media platforms by posting my drawings; that is how I get customers. I have recently spoken to one of my friends who knows an art collector who will be collecting my art work,” he revealed plans.
Yusuf called on the youths to find something that they are good at, submitting that everybody is skillful.
