Isolation 2020 Project featuring Samira Addo

I was very excited to meet the beautiful and incredibly talented artist, Samira Addo AKA Mimma Art for my Isolation 2020 Project.

Samira started out in life following the art of dance in many of its forms, training with the thoughts of going pro.  However, during her A-levels she made the decision to focus on her academics and studied maths, physics and chemistry instead.  She grew up with her parents and brother in South East London.  Her mother is half English and half Zanzibari and her father is Ghanaian – a cultural heritage which no doubt gives Samira her love of bright colour.  I notice her eyes light up when she talks to me about her love of Zanzibar and Ghana. “Women’s traditional clothes in Zanzibar are called ‘Kanga’ and are such beautiful bright colours and I love the energy and the beautiful beaches and mixture of architecture in Ghana” she says to me. 

Samira also loved arts and crafts as she was growing up and particularly enjoyed the Art Attack TV show - my goodness that brought back some memories for me too! Whilst studying at University, Samira found herself missing art and after taking a job as a quantity surveyor, she started to crave art and creativity so much that she made the tough decision to leave her job and open her own studio! 

In 2018, Samira entered Sky Art’s Artist of the Year ‘Portrait Competition’ and was crowned winner! She speaks warmly of the competition telling me “it was a great experience and a really good environment to be in.  Off the back of the competition I am now a full time artist, but I was planning to be anyway”.  I asked Samira why she loves painting portraits in particular, “I’m an avid people watcher – a lover of faces and expressions” she tells me with a smile on her face. Samira likes getting to know the people that she paints, she watches them for their characteristics, experimenting with her brain to fill in the gaps with shapes, blocks, colour and tone.  During lockdown Sky Arts launched live portrait sessions and Samira was invited to return to paint a portrait of the incredible photographer Rankin – this is when I first came across Samira.  You can follow her art portraits on Instagram @mimma_art.

3 artists in one last 4 hour challenge painted singer Emilie Sande, alongside which, they also took on a commission, Samira had the privilege of painting the iconic fashion and textile designer Zandra Rhodes. Emilie Sande’s portrait has since been acquired by the National Gallery of Scotland and Zandra Rhodes’ portrait was unveiled at the London Fashion and Textile museum.

SkyArts invited Samira back to paint renowned photographer, Rankin, for the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the week live painting series during the first lockdown.

“Coronarolla” is the word that Samira chose to sum up her time in isolation.  Why? And What does that mean? I hear you all asking.  Well, Samira explains “I took a break from my portrait work at the beginning of lockdown to try and do something different.  I edited one of my paintings in photoshop and used it for printing on a dress and sweater and I started roller skating”.  Yes I was still confused at this point too but it turns out that a fair few people decided to take up roller skating during isolation – a fun way to get some exercise!  Apparently, the experienced skaters took to calling the newbies “Coronarollers” so, for Samira, it will be a word and a sport that she will always remember from this time.

‘CORONAROLLA’ is the term coined and applied to all of the newbies who took up skating during the first lockdown!

Samira was enjoying the first couple of weeks in isolation as it was nice to be at home and have an excuse not to go out.  It was also an opportunity for her to reflect on things that had been on her mind for some time.  However, a couple of weeks into lockdown - like many of us - the worries started to kick in.  Samira explained “I had lost some motivation and felt I was mourning the loss of our normal way of life” which raised many questions within her.  “What will the landscape be coming out of this?”  “When will the uncertainty stop?”  “What will be the new normal?”  Questions, I think, that we are all still asking!

Samira sums up this time in isolation with “this is a time in history where many people started something new, they experimented and, hopefully, found a new source of joy”.

I also felt compelled to speak to Samira about the “Black Lives Matter” movement and her take on it.  She told me how emotional and overwhelming she has found it, as in many cases it proves damaging to people’s mental health.  She explained how it has highlighted to her just how much more obvious racism was in her parent’s younger days.  “There was a divide and conquer attitude, so much manipulation, deep rooted in so many countries.”  Samira told me that even now if she wants to go travelling the first thing she has to do is look into the racism levels of the country she wants to visit!  How crazy and upsetting is that? Samira also recognises that, rather than distance herself from these kinds of conversations, she needs to use her voice more, even in an uncomfortable situation.  We talked about how many “black associations” there are and how they are generally used in a negative way “colourism is a real thing” she says.  She also explained “it is hard to know what to do as you don’t want it to just be a fashion trend, it needs to be so much more”.

I totally agree with Samira’s views and as a white person I want to show my support but feel uncertain as to how I should approach the movement.  I’ve educated myself to a degree and shared some of that education during this Project but how can we really make a difference?  Racism, to me, has always been something I never understood – why do we judge people based purely on a difference in our skin tone?  We don’t judge people on their eye colour or their hair, so why should someone’s skin change who they are fundamentally?  Wherever did that notion come from? Samira went on to say “as a black person it is hard not to get angry and upset for what black people have had and still have to endure.  For thousands of years people went through humiliation and degradation, they faced horrific decisions which put them in horrific situations.  The media representation today is still way too subtle, change has to come from white people.”  I truly hope that, in my lifetime, we see a great shift on this matter and I see others like myself promoting that Black Lives DO Matter.

Black Lives Matter…

“it is hard to know what to do as you don’t want it to just be a fashion trend, it needs to be so much more”.

I loved talking to Samira, I felt we had a lot in common and shared a lot of similar views, even similar creative mindsets.  Samira has an extremely smart head on her shoulders, a wise soul, a beautiful heart and smile. In addition to all the above she is, undoubtedly, an incredibly talented artist.

Samira was due to have a solo exhibition in October 2020 but unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, this has had to be postponed.  I am truly looking forward to when it can go ahead, as Samira’s art is amazing.  Be sure to check out her work.  I wish Samira a lot of love and success on her journey.  I will be supporting her all the way.

I caught up with Samira recently, during our third lockdown, and asked her a few more questions.

What have you been up to since we last talked?

I am still painting but have moved back to the studio.

Now in our 3rd official lockdown, can you tell me how this one compares with the first for you?

This one has been a lot easier to handle.  Maybe because I am back in the studio and I feel like there are less unknowns.

What do you believe your experience of 2020 has taught you?

The importance of friendships.

Moving forward, is there anything you will approach differently, having experienced all that we have during this pandemic?

I will make efforts to meet with people and try new experiences more frequently.

Many have found this time incredibly tough for so many reasons.  What would you say has been the hardest part of it for you to deal with?

A lack of motivation and purpose.

I hope that you and your loved ones have fared well during this difficult time.  Is there anything positive from this Covid experience that you will be able to reflect upon for the rest of your life?

 I have learned that I can still find joy outside of what I typically do, for example, skating.

As winner of the Sky Arts Portrait of the Year Artist, 2018, Samira was commissioned for a portrait of actor Kim Cattrall, which is now hanging in the prestigious Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

You can see more of Samira Addo’s art on her instagram page @mimma_art and she can be contacted for commissions on www.samiraaddo.com.

Interview and Black & White FaceTime portraits by Dawn Collins