Magic

Nothingness

Statements by Lawrence Kwakye | 2023

I make an effort to visualize the systemic world through my art. Within this world, humanity holds on to its position. The storyline is about how humanity gets lost and struggles because we as humans cannot escape dependency.

 Lawrence 2022

What does it truly mean to embody humanity?

Have my endeavours towards self-actualization inadvertently distanced me from my own humanity? If our existence is now confined to mere cogs in an expansive, unfeeling machinery, then perhaps I have.

In this realm of human construction, where quantifiability and control reign supreme, there appears to be no space for the capriciousness and vulnerability inherent in our kind. It’s hardly surprising that the roles we once occupied are swiftly being claimed by machines and computers. What’s even more perplexing is our tendency to attribute life to these mechanisms, when in my view, they should serve as enablers of life. Is our species forsaken, destined to be replaced by artificial intelligence alone? The ideology of transhumanism further complicates matters. Our bodies, deemed insufficient and ephemeral, are to be discarded – a mere chrysalis to be shed. But what befalls our sense of self-worth, cultivated through ages past? Does purpose still hold meaning?

The reality we find ourselves in today might offer divergent meanings from those of yesteryears, yet who bears the weight of this predicament? Most of us have been so profoundly moulded by the currents of this contemporary (synthetic) actuality that we scarcely recognize our divergence from the path of meaning. Could this silent shift in significance be the cause of our growing struggle with uncertainty and unpredictability, as our sense of identity blurs?

For someone of my generation, contemplating these notions is disconcerting, yet it’s paradoxically become my wellspring of inspiration. One might even argue that it nurtures moments of creativity, for diminishing certainty unlocks the portals to uncharted realms. Within these realms lies the sphere of non-human wisdom. Accepting ourselves as players in an expansive system, the totality of which remains hidden, though our role within this intricate ecosystem is palpable, offers solace and perspective. That perspective reiterates our humanity and the imperative to safeguard our existence as we venture into the morrow.

A Personal Alignment

In my capacity as both designer and artist, I delve into the ways in which individuals can realign themselves within the labyrinthine construct of reality. This could necessitate the formulation of novel survival strategies. A reimagining of reality that resets our essence, reconnecting us with our innate humanity and its cosmic context.

In my artistic journey, I explore fresh existential paradigms, occasionally navigating realms detached from societal norms – an interstitial domain. This is a realm both within and beyond, ubiquitous yet intangible. Here, I withdraw, enabling the exploration of diverse modes of existence; a liberation of sorts. I’ve named this domain the “In-Between,” succinctly expressed as Between open borders and isolation (BOB & I) – denoting the juncture between boundless exploration and introspective solitude. This term also encapsulates my hybrid, multifaceted endeavour, a project interweaving distinct art forms into a cohesive universe that unfurls gradually.

Embodiment in Art

My artistic creations bear the hallmark of layered complexity, a dance between the tangible and the abstract. Textiles, often fragments of jute or cotton, sometimes aglow, form the tapestry of my compositions. Through a process I’ve coined “Imprint,” I’ve evolved a unique method to meld these materials, sometimes accompanied by paints.

Photography, a vital medium, seamlessly intertwines with my artwork, fusing with painting and my Imprint technique to birth something new and enthralling.

Lawrence Kwakye at Art up Lile | 2021

Overview of all my activities on design & art

Civilization design

Product design