Hi folks, welcome to the You are SO fine artist series here on VIMBY.com. This next artist has been making a lot of buzz, as proven by Dominick interviewing him separately just a few days before I was able to get this up. We live in a small world, but it’s not without its wealth of artists, and this one is named Fahamu Pecou.

Me: First off, tell me a little bit about yourself

Fahamu Pecou: Hmmm. where to start? Im 5′11 sexually chocolate, I love to dance, take long walks on the beach. I like puppies and I want to fight for world peace! Just kidding. I like to dub myself as an artist extraordinaire.

Me: Lol- How did you get started, looking at your work it has this classic oil on canvas look that you don’t see very often. Is that the medium you work with most?

Fahamu: Well I’ve been doing art all my life, well as much of it as I can remember. I really got into painting in college. My weapon of choice is acrylic paint, I don’t really care for oils, I don’t have the patience for them. But painting is my love, I like the challenge of making paint look like different materials; like wood, or skin or denim etc. I also like the texture of it, how it feels and moves. I always enjoy the first brushstroke on a big white canvas.

Me: So most of your work is on canvas, how big are these pieces you do?

Fahamu: On average between 6 and 7 feet tall. Though I’d like to go even bigger

Me: Wow, I had no idea they were that big, how long does it take you?

Fahamu: I actually work pretty fast- so about 8-12 hrs per piece

Me: While checking out your site I noticed your magazine theme, what first prompted that mode of expression?

Fahamu Pecou: It evolved out of a marketing campaign I started. I approached the magazine concept thinking, when we see someone on the cover of a magazine, it compels us to know more about that person. So I started putting myself on the covers to get people to say ‘Hey, who is this guy? What do he do?’

Me: Word, I definitely feel that, a lot of people wish for it but never put it into play.

Fahamu Pecou: Yea, the whole idea behind neopop is about circumventing the system

Me: Have you had an recent solo or group exhibitions?

Fahamu Pecou: I’ve been exhibiting ferociously for the past 3 years. In 2008 I had solos in Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Dallas as well as group shows in New York, Miami and NC.

Me: What do you prefer more show wise, and what are your upcoming plans?

Fahamu: 2009 is crazy!!! I am scheduled to have my first international solo in February in Cape Town, South Africa. I also have a solo in the fall in New York and will participating in a couple of group shows as well.

Me: Do you like the solo or do you feel there’s a different feel to exhibiting with several artists- is it a pain in the ass? Easy breezy?

Fahamu: I really don’t have a preference, group shows are great because you not only get to meet other cool artists who often times raise your pedigree. For example, I’m in a group show in New York which features work by some of the most prominent African American male artists out today, and by being in the show, my work was seen by their audience and collectors. Another thing is that you don’t have to do as much work most group shows you do one or two pieces, my solo shows usually upwards of 7 pieces; but I love both, naturally during my solos I get to wild out more, because its all me.

Me: Speaking of African American male artists, that wouldn’t be Kehinde? And do you run into many black male fine art creators, or do you mostly see urban/graffiti based artists?

Fahamu: Kehinde was not in this particular show, but I do get to meet a lot of brothers doing great things. I think we are still pretty spread out, but we are out there- So ladies don’t pass us by in the club. But seriously, I think there are some great artists of African descent doing amazing things, male and female. The work runs the gamut between urban influences to traditional modes of expression, but what’s really great is its not just one idea, or concept or medium. These are all super intelligent cats who push the boundaries of African American art and expression. The visual art world is very unlike black radio LOL

Me: Bwah! Care to name drop some artists you’re fans of? It’s always good to get accolades from the community- that’s how I found out about you.

Fahamu: No doubt, check out folks like Hank Willis Thomas, Robert Pruitt, Torkwase Dyson, Andrea Chung, Pamela Sunstum, Jefferson Pinder, Radcliffe Bailey, Jabari Anderson and Michael Paul Britto to name a few- I could go on.

Me: lol, no that’s alright. I haven’t heard of many of these guys and maybe the readers haven’t either. Do you have a few words you’d like to sum up some of your work? and what are your hopes for the future?

Fahamu: Sure- my work is NEOPOP-Its about challenging and redefining perceptions in a changing world. Particularly the role and image of black men in pop culture and media as well as art world politics. For the future I hope to really establish my name and work to make a difference in the world. And one day to be a household name. So when people start rattling off famous artists they might sound something like, Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, Pecou…

Me: Sweet that sounds like a plan. Again thank you Fahamu for doing this interview with me

Fahamu: No worries, my pleasure. If you need anything else don’t hesitate to reach out.

I have no choice but to consider Fahamu an already prolific artist. With an online gallery that boasts 89 images (and growing) towering at 6 feet is wondrous (scaled down of course) you can’t help but love the work ethic and a deviation from the norm with a return to classic. Make sure you support the artist movement, especially by copping Fahamu’s catalogue entitled FAHAMENON. You gotta realize that without benefactors like us (even broke ones) artists wouldn’t be able to make the living they do.

As always, keep checking back for the next edition of You are SO fine…

*Also a special thanks to Paloma for telling me about Fahamu.