Ephemeral Expression
One glance at Tosobuafo Matilda Bardi’s expressive charcoal portraits won’t be enough to fully absorb the full weight of the Benin City, Nigeria-based artist’s vision, but it may be all you’ve got. In a pursuit to pour purely personal expression onto the pages of an infinite sketchbook, the University of Benin Fine Arts student allows each defined mark to do the talking and the viewer to do the understanding. Bardi builds striking charcoal portraits with the help of a creative and determined inner voice and a strong observational eye turned towards people close to home. Together these elements document small ephemeral moments and transient thoughts free to fly away at a moment’s notice with only the strength of powdered black charcoal holding them loosely together. When given the chance to view the work of Tosobuafo Matilda Bardi, make the most of it, the power of a fleeting feeling or impulsive expression won’t last forever, but is worth deeply observing all the same.
Part One: Who is Tosobuafo Matilda Bardi?
Question #1: Who are you?
“I am a Nigerian artist who uses drawing or painting mediums and bold lines with strokes to tell stories and represent ideas and emotions on a surface. I am currently a Fine and Applied Art student in the University of Benin.”
Question #2: Who are you as an artist?
“I would not really use the term artist. I see myself as an artist wannabe who wants to create conversations through her art. I normally am talkative but being able to describe my feelings and emotions in words has always been a chore and I feel art is the only way to get people to listen to what I have to say. To me right now, it is either Art or nothing at all.”
Question #3: What kind of journey are you on?
“When I first found out about expressive art online, and the way they are achieved , I figured that it would be a great way for me to put my emotions in my work and talk about what I would not normally discuss with anybody. Since then till now, I have been on a journey to full on Expression.”
Question #4: What is something strange or interesting you keep in the studio/workspace?
“I would not see this as strange or particularly interesting but I keep inspirational quotes and statements like “A truth that is not well expressed is a lie ”- Stephen Fry and “Your work is the artist” by El drag (who is a fantastic artist and also my painting lecturer over at the University of Benin.) on my walls.”
A truth that is not well expressed is a lie”
Stephen Fry
Your work is the artist”
El drag
Question #5: What is in your artwork that we cannot see?
“For me it is the stories and the reason behind the work itself. People tell me ‘WOW your work is so powerful’ but then I think to myself ‘do you really know why I did this work?’. Creating my work to describe itself is something I have always wanted.
Part Two: Fully Expressed
What is your artistic practice?
“My work revolves around Abstract and Figurative art. I make art with pictures of people around me, mostly family members and my neighbors. I come up with concepts and stories sometimes without even thinking about it and put it into work. I practice anatomy drawings and my five value system everyday in my sketchbook before I work on what I post on my art channels.”
2020
Charcoal on paper
32 cm x 27 cm
Chi is a dynamic quality that flows through us all. I created this artwork from inspiration from the meaning of energy
2020
Charcoal on paper
30 1/2 cm x 21 1/2 cm
This is and expressive drawing of my neighbors daughter using charcoal.
2020
Charcoal on paper
31 cm x 42 cm
We should see ourselves as flowers. What if they could project our emotion?
2020
Charcoal on paper
30 cm x 21 cm
I am like you. I am not different.
2020
Charcoal on paper
31 cm x 42 cm
This is and expressive drawing of my neighbours daughter using charcoal.
Where/ How can Vacant Museum viewers see more of your work and where can they purchase it?
You will be able to see more of my works on my instagram @2.4bardi . You can also email me at matty.bardi@outlook.com or send me a Direct message.