The Unconventional Journey of a Black Artist Who Wanted to do Something Different

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Ukwensi Chappell is a professional contemporary artist  exploring modern-day issues and cultural shifts through art.

Chappell was inspired by his mentor, Élan Vital, who uses an aerospace enamel, combined with vibrant colors, to create exotic patterns in his artwork. The paint, which is typically used in aviation, alongside various exotic materials, allowed Vital to create a layered pouring technique unique to Chappell.

Chappell would go on to open a gallery in April 2018, housing and developing “unconventional” artists, especially Black artists, in the 757 — one of the city’s main area codes. 

The gallery also featured “First Saturday” events, where visitors could receive free wine and enjoy art demonstrations from artists across the United States. 

The Click: What inspired you to pursue this medium (contemporary art)?

Chappell: I used to work in a couple of galleries. One was called Celebrity, which was art sold and done by celebrities. Then I started working for this artist, Élan Vital.

He was doing this pouring technique (for acrylic paint) I had never seen before. Normally, when you do pouring it’s flat, but he was able to layer it and give it depth.

So I left Celebrity and worked for him for about 10 years.

When you opened your gallery, what vision or theme were you aiming for?

I wanted to promote my own art but I saw there were other artists who were just phenomenal, but never got representation. 

So I said, ‘well, I’m emerging, but I (would) like to also help other emerging artists who are just absolutely incredible to go along the ride with me.’

Before I opened the gallery, I wanted to see what the other galleries were like and what the scene was like, and I’ve seen a lot of talent, but it wasn’t cutting edge.

So I decided to do the opposite of what everyone else was doing.

(I) stayed open at night (because) everything closed during the day.

It took a while for the local crowds to get used to that, but once (the contemporary artists) explained what it takes to create, how much it costs to create, especially to come up with something that’s innovative, that’s when people started  to understand.

You can have a different religious background, political, social, emotional, whatever – we’re all there for one cause and that’s to celebrate art and appreciate it together.

So, because of my being so different, according to the Norfolk Review Board, we got one of the best galleries seven years in a row.

The gallery closed back in July. Is there a plan to reopen?

Well, I’m going to be honest, I knew something was gonna happen with the (Trump) administration that came in… They don’t actually want free thinking. But I won’t get into that.

I represented so many artists that I forgot I was an artist and I kind of lost my mojo a little bit because I was really trying to make a difference for these other artists.

What I would like to do is take a breather, learn from my mistakes, build on my accomplishments, but also get back to me as an artist because believe it or not, I never presented any of my work.

It was so ironic because when I closed, I was supposed to unveil my first piece ever to the public. But I don’t regret anything.

It was a great experience. I made a lot of friends. I have a lot of respect in the art world. This is not the end for me, (I’m) just regrouping.