KPE INNOCENT
KPE Innocent (b. 1994) is a self-taught Ghanaian artist whose work merges traditional visual language with new media influences, creating bold and reflective portraits of contemporary human experience. Using acrylic on canvas, KPE paints bulbous, exaggerated figures with long limbs and small heads, often set against backgrounds of negative space. These stylised characters speak to a sense of shared vulnerability and quiet strength, exploring themes of love, grace, and isolation. Often placed in solitary environments, his figures become metaphors for individuality within a collective human condition. Pop culture references and elements of modernist design appear subtly throughout his compositions, bridging local realities with global influence. KPE’s work invites stillness, reflection, and empathy and has resonated widely in previous 4BYSIX auctions.
YOUR FIGURES HAVE A VERY DISTINCT PHYSICAL FORM, WITH ELONGATED LIMBS, LARGE BODIES, AND SMALL HEADS. HOW DID THIS VISUAL LANGUAGE DEVELOP FOR YOU?
From the very beginning, as a self-taught artist, I had one conviction when it came to what style of work I wanted to make. I wanted to paint figures, but with a more abstractive and surreal approach. That’s what has guided the evolution of my style up to this point. I do my best to make the figures less figurative while incorporating some elements of figuratism at the same time.
YOU OFTEN PLACE YOUR SUBJECTS IN ISOLATION WITHIN OPEN SPACE. WHAT DOES THIS SOLITUDE REPRESENT IN YOUR WORK?
Solitude in this sense is not equal to the feeling or state of loneliness. I am keen on picturing an individual who is in a state of calmness and introspection; tuning out the noise. It is important for us to break out from the routine of distraction and be intentional to breathe in life. We become more aware of who we are when we take the time to be quiet.
THERE IS A QUIETNESS IN YOUR PAINTINGS, DESPITE THE SCALE AND WEIGHT OF THE FIGURES. HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BALANCE BETWEEN PRESENCE AND STILLNESS?
I believe this balance comes naturally during painting. I tend to eliminate excess and make the work as minimal as possible. The focus is on the figure, while the environment is quiet and less stressful.
YOUR THEMES EXPLORE UNIVERSAL EMOTIONS LIKE GRACE, HOPE, AND FEAR. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH OF THESE TO FOCUS ON WHEN BEGINNING A NEW PIECE?
There are times when themes I am reflecting on in the season fit the work after it’s done, like in the case of the piece in this project. Most of the time, whatever themes I am exploring or meditating on or reading about tend to find their way into the work. Other times, I look at the project and assign a theme I believe is appropriate before I begin the work.
POP CULTURE REFERENCES, SUCH AS NIKE LOGOS OR ELEMENTS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE, APPEAR THROUGHOUT YOUR WORK. WHAT ROLE DO THESE SYMBOLS PLAY?
When I incorporate these elements into my work, I am trying to broaden the scope of reach for the pieces I create. These elements speak globalisation. The goal is to make my work fit into all geographical contexts. I tend to incorporate elements that are cultural in all domains.
AS A SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST, HOW HAS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS CHANGED OVER TIME? ARE THERE NEW MATERIALS OR METHODS YOU’RE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING?
There is a certain freedom assigned to self-taught artists like myself. This allows me to experiment with new ideas and take my skills to the next level. I’ve always wanted to make the figures in my paintings 3D, even from the inception of my practice. However, my knowledge in modelling in 3D software was limited. But now AI image generation tools allow me to turn my sketches into 3D, just the way I perceived them. Then I go on to paint on the canvas or material using my good old acrylic paint. It’s exciting.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO CONTRIBUTE AGAIN TO THE 4BYSIX PLATFORM? HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORK ALIGNING WITH ITS MISSION?
It’s always good to give back and to help those who do not have the same opportunities I have been graced to have. My work speaks to conditions that all humans face, but the end goal of my practice is to inject hope into such conditions. 4BYSIX is doing the work of changing lives for the better. Collaborating with this platform is a sure way my gift can directly change lives.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW PIECE YOU’VE CREATED FOR THE UPCOMING AUCTION AND WHAT INSPIRED ITS COMPOSITION?
The piece is titled ‘EXTRAORDINARY’. This is the first work I have made in this style, and I am pleased to include it in this auction. No human is ‘nothing’. Every one of us was created for great things. This painting is a reminder of that truth.
YOU’VE SPOKEN ABOUT REPRESENTING THE SHARED HUMAN CONDITION. HOW DO YOUR CHARACTERS AND ENVIRONMENTS REFLECT THIS IDEA?
For example, it’s common for people to feel unworthy. The piece for this project has the character standing steadily and leans on the backdrop of the skies and clouds and nature. All attention is on the figure. It is majestic. The feeling of unworthiness disappears, “I am somebody”, it will say. Those common voices of ridicule can not eliminate one who believes undoubtedly that they are above ordinary.
WHAT DIRECTION DO YOU FEEL YOUR PRACTICE IS HEADING IN NOW, AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO DEVELOP NEXT?
My work is evolving in both quality and composition, I can see and feel it. I am still learning to situate my work in the confluence between traditional art making and new media. With the popularity in AI and NFTs, the future of art consumption is bent on changing, I want to ride the wave towards the new direction. I am figuring that out.