Little Miss, by Francis Simeni

Francis Simeni’s art is striking.

There’s something about the color and texture contrasts, paired with the intensity of his subjects that makes his work jarring yet inherently tender. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and transplanted between Poland and New York City, Simeni has an impressive repertoire of oil and acrylic paintings on wood canvases.

Using the simplest color palette, he’s able to tap into the innocence and strength of individuals, with children being his most captivating and charming muses. A flip through the online gallery will reveal the artist’s African influences and his aptitude for contrasting joy, wonder and strength with anguish, fear and desperation.

“There has to be something in stillness or motion that captures a deeper feeling.”

“Thematically, I gravitate toward history, self-image, identity, relationship, and portraiture,” Simeni says. “Each can be utilized to express a person’s gravitas. There’s a connectivity that I’m striving to paint.”

Inspired by Keba Armand-Konte’s photographs printed on wood grain, Simeni’s creations are wholly authentic interpretations of life.

“Emotional images move me,” Simeni says. “There has to be something in stillness or motion that captures a deeper feeling. I look for that one moment that speaks a thousand words. I want to capture something: a certain look, a certain physicality, a gesture. But keeping in mind that the figure does not have to be moving to be captivating and powerful.”

He’s been honing his talents since the age of three, beginning with comic books and eventually transitioning into illustration and graphics. A graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Simeni hopes to “keep experimenting and explore as many different personal themes as I see fit. Regardless of media.” We look forward to following this evolution.

Check out Francis Simeni’s work and keep an eye out for his work at a gallery near you.

Stare, by Francis Simeni

This year, Cooper and fellow collaborator, Henry Chalfant, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the bestseller, Subway Art, a book widely considered to be “the Bible of the graffiti movement.” Check out Cooper and Chalfant as they recount their experiences and discuss what to expect with the latest edition.