Studio Visit with TAFA
by Gabriel Serpa
For the last 15 years the aritst, TAFA has been living and working in Harlem. I got the chance to stop by his studio, which was overflowing with paintings. There is an intrinsic quality about his work that is revealed when you see his work in the flesh. Besides being a great painter, TAFA is also a devote Harlemite. For more info, go to www.tafagallery.com.
Gabriel Serpa: Where do you hang out in Harlem?
TAFA: I do not hang out in Harlem, I live Harlem.
GS: What makes Harlem artists different then the rest of the city?
TAFA: Harlem artists used to be different. Jacob Lawrence, Bearden and others made a differnce. Harlem artists today have the potential of creating art that derives from the rich cultural diversity and experience of Harlem.
GS: Do you find inspiration from Harlem?
TAFA: I dont know if Harlem came to me first or I came to Harlem. As a little boy in Ghana, I remember places like Harlem Cafe, Apollo Theater in the capital Accra. Senior Harlemites have told me that there was a carnival atmosphere in Harlem when Ghana became independent from British colonial rule in 1957. Harlem is the soul of Africa in the diaspora. I am so inspired to be in the pilgrimage of giants like Wole Soyinka, Malcolm, Mandela and all the greats of the Harlem Renaissance.Maybe, the change in Harlem is the harbinger to new things, maybe, a post-black Harlem Renaissance. Post -black is a perjurative term, personal opinion, but i use it intentionally. Change can be turbulentbut it can also give birth to the rainbow.
GS: Where do you like to eat in Harlem?
TAFA: Samba is one. There is a place on 124th and Lenox…a Seneglese place. And also Two Sisters on 116th. Sometimes I go to One Fish Two Fish.
GS: So what shows do you have coming up?
TAFA: I have the Harlem Open Studio Tour coming up.(check: www.hoast.org) And I have a show coming up for the University of Virgina. It is a fundraiser. And part of the proceeds go to a scholarship program. That is going to be in October.
GS: It looks like you spend a lot of time in the studio. How much of the time are you hear?
TAFA: Everyday I am here. Most of the day.
GS: Thanks for the studio visit. Any parting words for Harlem?
TAFA: Harlem is going through a transformation, a metamorphosis. Change is the only constant since our Khoisan ancestors left the Great Rift Valley. The next center of the art world is going to be Harlem. Harlem shall rise again.
Gabriel Serpa is a visual aritst and writer. He can be reached at gabriel@gabrielserpa.com
Tafa hanging out in at the local Harlem spot, Samba (165 East 106th Street)
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cant get into his work, too abstract for me. i like art that i can understand.
I have followed Tafa’s work for over a decade. He is a master artist, What happened to his controversial painting about Bin Laden?
I saw Tafa’s paintings at the Danforth museum in MA-
blew my mind. fabulous !!!!! Compostion, palette and movement.
i do not mean visiting his studio personnally.i would be greatful if we could correspond through email.
i am a young ghanaian artist who would like to understudy Tafa’ paintings. I have heard and seen alot of his works so,therefore, to get an opportunity to study his works would be a dream come though.