Creation is never a linear line process where you start from 0 and finish at 1, but it is more like an equation full of unknown and estimation and also hope and will. In the documentary of "Portrait of an Artist", young director Sofiya Kudryavtseva explores this process by visiting different variables of the equation in creation of the art of Uyi, while portraying the artist in making.
The story of Uyi Nosa-odia, painter and sculpture, begins in Nigeria and continues in Luxembourg. The documentary was made in 2022, during his exhibition in Ren-Art Expo. During the 15 minutes, we start exploring his life in Luxembourg as an artist, later, as a loving family man and a technology professional.
Since he moved to Luxembourg in 2017, he believes that immigration is not limited to moving physically between countries but moving of ideas, as well. He doesn't feel like a foreigner since he thinks that the major ideas of his home country are prevalent also in Luxembourg.
It is not rare in Luxembourg to meet people who moved from other countries and started to build a new life here, including me. People are coming for several reasons, work, family or seek for refuge. So many countries struggling with economical problems and armed conflicts, Luxembourg can still be seen as a safe haven and offers a stable life for many, whether they call themselves "immigrants" or "expats".
While "foreigner" can be used as an umbrella term, nowadays the difference between "immigrants" and "expats" are disappearing slowly. As a business consultant & IT professional, Uyi's life is an example of this reality.
Art is a safe space for him, he can discuss sensitive topics, like violence, through his works without having fear. As a person who himself has experienced an extreme violence before, his works stands as a strong resistance !
Within major topics that is considering society, he finds answers to his personal questions too. His painting "The Brain", which also has become a gift to his girlfriend, is a depiction of the challenges he faced, story of how he overcame them, while appreciating the power mind and thought.
Documentary also explores art and its meaning through the eyes of the visitors and then the insights by the artist. Private exhibitions, art enthusiasts and buyers, are vivid part of the Luxembourg culture.
Uyi uses figurative elements and animals in his paintings, but his style is more inclined to abstract. His signature technique is the reflection of how he sees life; the unique and independent pieces, forming a bigger picture!
Music is one of the highlights of the documentary! It is composed by Hokube who is a professional DJ in Luxembourg. Born and raised in Libreville, Gabon, Hokube is a beatmaker and producer. The music resembles a lot of parallelism between the paintings of Uyi.
Warm colors are reflected in major tones and bright effects. While abstract forms which are composed of many pieces is represented in the minimal melodies of electronic music. Cyclic idea of the music and flow made me imagine the painting "The Family".
Music also has hope in it and corresponds to the story of revival and not being the "victim". While being slightly repetitive, music stands up itself throughout the movie and set the good mood for all !
Making a documentary about a person and not falling into a dry question-answer order and putting the interviewer on a chair in a gray room should be really difficult ! Sometimes this work can't entirely escape from that too; rhythm slows down between questions and it may be confusing to understand the questions of some answers. On the other hand, artist portraits have a natural advantage of keeping the attention. And "Uyi: Portrait of an Artist" is using it in a dynamic way by moving to different places (yet always indoors).
The documentary was commissioned by CLAE (Comité de liaison des associations d'étrangers) asbl and directed, shot and edited by Sofiya Kudryavtseva. Production manager Philippe Meyrer, Sound designer Luca Piparo, Gaffer Filipe Marques, Colorist Akim El Ouardi, and Production Sound mixer are Luca Piparo and Natalie Rubchenko.
Prepared for the Immigration Festival, and supported by Culture of Ministry, this short work is a valid representation of the Luxembourg society and its artists. Recommended to all art enthusiasts, as well as to all people of Luxembourg!
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