We had the good fortune of connecting with sankofa Selassie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi sankofa, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Some of the most memorable conversations I have had on whether or not to keep going have been with artists. I have learned from them to keep going no matter what. When people say to me “keep going” I want to tell them that it’s easier said than done. I had to do a lot of soul searching and researching on how to keep going. The challenges were many and some overwhelming. I struggled to keep an apartment and I live as a full-time artist. I was in my late 30’s and was on my own for the first time. After a year the electricity got cut off; I painted in the dark with a miner’s headlight hat on for two years. I didn’t know what the paintings would look like in the daytime but I would be producing art towards a show. I was so determined to keep going. I have lost so much art over my lifetime before it got to sell. One encouraging story that helped me keep going is bitter-sweet. I lost one storage space and it was auctioned off. I was devastated but there was nothing I could do. It was $300 and I couldn’t raise it and I had to move back with my parents. For years I thought of all the art that was in there from my childhood all the way through college. And it just so happens that I was at a thrift store looking for art supplies and low and behold one of my paintings from that storage was in there on sale. While I was buying it I explained to the cashier that I had painted it, with disbelief she asked to see my signature that’s when I remembered that I had a habit of not signing my work. I left grinning from ear to ear. The overwhelming joy of that experience was a sign for me to keep going and here we are today 20 plus years later having this interview about art. To keep going can be challenging but oh, so worth it.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was first recognized as gifted in drawing by my Mother at 13. Mom put me in an art class; it was an adult life drawing class; at the end of that class both Mom and the teacher praised my work. Mommy explained to the teacher that this was my first time ever taking an art class and he let her know that what I did was exceptional for someone my age. Then in high school a friend of mine asked me to draw his assignment. After the papers were returned to the other students he and I were called to Mrs. Robinson’s desk to get ours. Mine had an F and my friend was told to return to his seat and do his own drawing. Mrs. Robinson then explained to me that I had a “signature style” and she could tell that I had drawn his. (I drew his with my left hand because I am right handed and It looked a little messy) That lesson confirmed to me that this might be my calling and I would use my gift for good only from then on. Mommy found the Atlanta College of Art. I was shy but I wanted to study art more than my fears.
I loved being an artist. After school and back in the world I was lost. Where do you apply for a job in fine art? I tried everything I could think of; I saw the value and I knew what my focus was going to be. My friend Dulce said she would help me put on an independent show. I started making the work for the show and Dulce died from complications with dialysis. I was heartbroken. Dulce’s mother contacted me and let me know that Dulce would want me to keep going and that I should strive hard on their behalf. I put on several shows and then I got the idea to make COLORING BOOKS. I began self-publishing them; I made each one from scratch and took them to galleries, hair salons, record stores and consignment shops. I walked up and down the street asking anyone who would give me a moment to look at my work. I would go into coffee shops, grocery stores and parking lots to find a place to showcase my work. The entire journey has been an adventure. It is an incredible journey that I look forward to every new day. Since the first time Mom noticed my natural ability to draw and Mrs. Robinson showed me that she could see me, I have only grown more excited. I want the world to know more about artists and what we do and what we bring to life. I would like for art to be considered “a real job” and that ADULTS COLOR TOO. My Coloring Books are for adults to awaken the youth in themselves. I call my coloring books “traveling playgrounds”. It’s a way to take fun and relaxation with you anywhere. I feel as if I just got started and I am ready for the next phase in this art life.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Friend day one when you first arrive we will get food at Juiceheads ATL. We will have lunch at Six Feet Under. We will then do dinner at Mutana’s where we can pick up late night snacks and water and Orange Juice for breakfast. Day two we can have Desta’s for lunch and for dinner we will get Soul Vegetarian. Day Three we will have Flying Buiscuit for breakfast, Day Four we must do Plant Based Pizzeria for lunch and Healthful Essence for Dinner. On Day Five for breakfast Sevenanda hotbar, for lunch we can do Ru San’s and have Whole Foods for dinner. Day Six for breakfast we will do Highland Bakery and we will do Mediterranean Grill for dinner and on Day Seven for lunch we can do Bole and on your way back to the airport that evening we will grab some Red Snapper from Ikhlas.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mommy Evelyn Coleman, Thomas Mueed Daddy, Ty, Tay, Jody, Papa, Grandmother Aunt Nett, GrandMa Minnie, Grandaddy Jeff, Grandaddy Quinton, B-Town Cousin Crew, Angela, Mrs. Robinson, Kijai, Imani, N.F.S. Visions of Color, Cliff, Kevin, Paul, Roy, Carl, Mike, Jelly, Fawn, Ed Spriggs, Ernest Varner of Varner Originals, Aunt Jackie, Aunt Aminah, Lisa Tuttle, Auburn Avenue Research Library, The Taylor’s, Aunt Linda, Aunt Loretta, The Culture Center, The Hammond’s House Gallery, Dulce. Myrna, Terence E. Jackson, Patrick, Bailey, Jinny, Albert, T.J. Tyrus, Patrick, Umi and Aba, Jacob Lawrence, Tom Feelings, Mama K, Alice Lovelace, D.J. Jelly, RaGigga, Mano a Mano, Lion’s Den, The ArtsXChange, Mausiki Scales, Uncle Joe, Unique, Dirk Twine. JamBam, Harvest Gallery (Lynn and Sue), Suns, Diane Valentine, USpace Gallery, Uncle Ira and Aunt Char, Lylas, Dawtas, C.A.T., Miriam Fields, Fahamu, W.K.T.S., The Witch Doctor, Murmer Gallery, Baba Runoko, WRFG, STAR POWER, Apache Cafe, Aunt Pat and Uncle Pen, Uncle Easy, Dan, Pay, Yatta, C. Williams, Aaron Pines, Wonzu, B, Sistah Keisha, Sistah Rita, Mama Kali, Shelia Turner, Karen Korb, All my Aunties, All my Uncles. All my family, Starbucks Manager Decatur and R.D.A., Mutana’s, r. Kim, Miriam’s, Sevananda ARTS Advocates, Snell, Clayton County Library, Cascade Branch | Fulton County Library System, B. Turner, Sister Margret and Brother Kenneth, Sister Annie and Brother James and all those named and un-named who love and support me.
Website: www.sankofaSelassie.com
Youtube: sankofaKijai
Other: www.uspacegallery.com