ALFRED CONTEH: BLACK REALITY
Alfred Conteh is one of the few artists who are committed to sharing their life experiences and personal truths regarding the African American communities with the world through the medium of art. Much of his work explores his personal identity.
His father hails from Sierra Leone in West African, while his mother is African American. Inspired by his parents' experiences and his rich cultural roots, his work portrays the African communities in America and worldwide from a fresh perspective. Read on to learn more about his remarkable career and unique contribution to the world of art.
Early Life & Education
Born in Fort Valley, Georgia, Conteh discovered his never-ending love and ambition for arts and colors at an early age. As a young boy, Conteh found himself fascinated with comic books and cartoons. Over the years, the fascination led to an interest in visual arts and illustration.
He attended Hampton University and received his Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. During his time at the university, he developed his individual style and started experimenting with new mediums.
As a result, his repertoire expanded from painting and sketching to three-dimensional sculpting formats. Today, even as an acclaimed artist, he considers himself a student of history. He aspires to further develop his craft to encourage African Americans to be stewards of the unique African culture and history.
Notable Work, Exhibits, & Achievements
When it comes to arts and expression, Conteh is multi talented. A sculptor, painter, and mixed media artist, he is geared towards creating expressive art that resonates with people and narrates stories of the past, present, and future. His African background, diverse experiences, and personal interest in African communities propel him to address social issues affecting the African American population.
His first exhibition was displayed in 2003. Since then, he has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His bold and classy work is sometimes met with controversial responses, particularly the "Pimp Series" that features a variety of wrongdoings in society and highlights the dark side of how individuals interact with each other. Despite the controversies, the work is renowned for its uniqueness and the powerful message behind it.
Discussing his ideology and approach to using art as a medium to highlight issues faced by African Americans, Alfred Conteh said, "It's problematic when our greatest aspiration is to seek accolades based on what the dominant culture sees worthy of awarding you. We have to see value in ourselves. I make my work for my people."
Over the years, he has exhibited his work in many museums and galleries across the country, including the Museum of Arts and Science, Tubman Museum in Macon, Art Basel Miami, and Hudgens Center of the Arts.
He has also participated in different art fairs, such as the Frieze Art Fair (Virtual) in New York, Prizm Art Fair in Miami, Art Expo Chicago, Felix Art Fair in Los Angeles, and many more. His work is highly appreciated and sought for private and institutional collections.
