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• Interview with Marcello Pope(Rosie Lee) 36, Dallas, TX

Going back to school this Fall was not (really)easy at all. Fortunately, Brazos Gallery hosted a stylish Art Exhibition to put me in a good mood this semester. From August 25th to September 12, was presented Dandy Fresh , by Marcello Pope. I loved it!!!

My personal review is coming (yay) but meanwhile, it was a pleasure to discover the artist and have few words from him

Let's Meet Marcello Pope A.K.A Rosie Lee.

• C: Who is the artist behind Dandy Fresh?

• MP: I am Marcello Pope( Rosie Lee) , 36. I’m a creative. My mantra is “draw from inspiration, paint with purpose, faith is my canvas”

  
  
  
  • C: What inspired this exhibition “ Dandy Fresh”?
   MP: A book titled “Maske” by Phyllis Galembo and information I found on the dandy men in the Congo.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • C: What are the goal and motivation of this exhibition?
  • MP: Create dialogue about symbolism and identity through the meanings behind mask from different communities throughout the African diaspora and the French influenced suits worn by the dandies.
  
  
  • C: What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created?
  MP:  I created a drawing made with oil pastels titled “struggle” a profile view of a blackman it was a reflection of my state of mind. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of the work but on the flip side a really close friend purchased the piece.
  
  
  • C: What are you working on at the moment?
  MP: The second installmant of the series Dandy Fresh
  
  
  • C: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
  MP: Very simple to stay hungry and make the most of the time I have in life. I want my life to be art.
  
  
  • C: What are you doing when you’re not creating?
  MP: I enjoy fashion, culture and music so constantly watching performances and searching for inspiration from other artists I admire
  
  
  • C: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
  MP: If I had to go back to school I would major in fashion or interior design.
  • C: Do you have any favorite blogs you read?
   MP: Art of Nonconformity
  
  
  • C: Where else do you sell your work?
   MP: On a street corner near you
  
  
  • Where else can we find you?
  MP: www.rosieleeart.com
  • C: What else should we know about you and your work?
  
  
  MP: The best is yet to come. I will one day be famous not for fame but to be an inspiration for faces that look like me and have a similar background and upbringing. The work like my life is a work in progress and as long as I can breathe there will be an opportunity to progress.
  
  
  • C: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
  MP: Replace fear with faith, take what others say with a grain of salt, and keep it simple people make life more complicated than it needs to be, listen to heart and God…..also scream F**k the world and do what you love.
  
  
  • C: Do you admire any artists / photographers?
  MP: The list could go on but I will just name a few: Alexa Meade, Vhils, Alexander McQueen, Gordon Parks, Basquiat, Keith Haring, and many many more
  
  
  • What is your favorite?
  Color: Grey and black because it is the color that is most hated on in the world
  Animal: English Bulldog affectionately known as Nacho
  Season: Fall, you can wear whatever and dress like the 80’s
  Movie: Malcom X by Spike Lee….stay revolutionary
  Book:  the Bible most influential book in history
  
  
  
  

Here is my first interview in US by Kiné Fall. We did the interview in French that she translated in English there

Qu'est-ce qui vous inspire pour prendre des photos? 

Pour mes photos je m’inspire de tout ce que j’ai comme image dans ma tete . tous mes vecus , et de ma personnalité . J’improvise parfois par rapport a ce que je trouve sur mes lieux de shoots qui vont dans le sens de ma pensée.

Quand avez vous commencé la photographie? 

J’ai commencé la photographie, il ya environ 2 ans maintenant . 

L'art est populaire dans votre Ville d'origine?

La photographie était encore pour un certain nombre de privilégiés mais ces derniers moi à Abidjan on assiste a une «  explosion » . Beaucoup s’essaient, d’autres révèlent des  véritables talents  encore cachés et les anciens s’affirment.

y at-il beaucoup de classes accessible? 

Alors là , pas du tout .

Pensez-vous que vous avez besoin d'une classe de vous apprendre la façon d'exprimer votre art? 

En toute chose il faut apprendre la technique. La technique permet de rentabiliser le potentiel et de l’utiliser a bon Essiant .Personnellement j’ai appris la majorité de ce que je rend  , en tatonnant  , par ce que c’est un domaine qui m’interesse vraiment . Mais je pense qu’une classe peut nous apprendre d’avantage a maitriser les techniques de bases de la photographie. Chaque artiste a un art qui lui est propre , qui le définit , sa vision . En gros Une classe permet d’apprendre les techniques pour pouvoir rendre vos idées mais ne peut pas en elle seule définir votre art. En Art chaque artiste peut choisir de briser les règles ou les suivre  mais il faut d’abord savoir de quoi il s’agit.

Que voyez-vous pour l'avenir de votre pays et le monde? 

Croyez-vous que l'art peut changer les choses?

Enormément , L’art est vaste et ses disciplines sont diverses  que ce soient la musique , la peinture ou la photographie  puisqu’on en parle . Chaque domaine de l’art peut a sa manière définir la pensée de certains ou changer la vision d’autres  , prendre conscience

Quel âge avez-vous? 

20 ans en Novembre. I am excited :D

Nommez quelques artistes qui vous admirent

Joana Choumali , Franck Hervé Agoua , Corine Azoumé , Mike Danon  , Sidiki Bakaba , Beyoncé