Last Friday we were delighted to be visited by Kelvin Okafor, 2005 alumnus of our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (pictured above with Acting Course Leader, Joshua Uvieghara).
Kelvin is an internationally renowned and award-winning drawing practitioner and pencil artist, with a community of over 385k followers on Instagram and regular solo exhibitions in the UK.
In his talk, Kelvin shared his career journey, in which he reflected on his year at City & Guilds of London Art School, and how important it had been to him. He discussed his drawing process and his current body of work, ‘Drawing Awareness’.
The purpose of his latest project is to engage and educate the audience by learning through art about people with visible differences. Its narrative is based on acceptance and inclusion whilst promoting positive change in people’s attitudes towards people with skin differences. The theme of acceptance and inclusion is visually captured and documented throughout. Each drawing conveys a story; a non-fiction of truth told by the sitter to steer change. Each sitter has openly shared their personal story of their difference or skin condition and journey so far.
Kelvin most generously donated a limited edition print of his drawing of Bob Dylan and his catalogue from the Albemarle Gallery to the Art School. We are most grateful to Kelvin for the gift and for taking the time to visit us and speak with our students.
