Papa MBye is a fine artist that uses markers and pens to create the unique work shown below. Inspired by everything from Keith Haring to his family to death, Papa MBye draws from a lot of different sources in order to create his intricate work. He’s a “cartoonist at heart” who feels he’s constantly evolving and progressing in art. Check out Papa’s work below and be sure to read our interview with him that follows.
Click on any of the above photos to open a gallery of Papa MBye’s artwork.
Describe your style of art.
Describe your creative process. How do you start a new piece?
Pick one of your works and tell us a story about it.
Who and what are your biggest influences?
Artistically, I love Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bryant Giles, Tom Richmond, Kanye West and myself. I include myself because I believe that the most impactful influencers of our new work are our past works. I can’t go without mentioning my family. It’s been a tough ride but good things don’t come easy, and their support means the world to me. I’m also influenced by the world around me (yeah I know, duh), the “future”, and death, and all my supporters/naysayers. I do this for me and you. Yeah, you. No, not you – YOU [laughs]. Okay, I’m done.
What goals do you have for yourself over the next few years?
I wanna do what I’m doing now, which is creating. I just hope to do so on a bigger platform in order to have the ability to touch more people. It’s also important for me to be at the point where I’m able to be in direct contact with people who inspire me. More specific goals I have are to exhibit at major galleries across the world, collaborate with some of my favorite people/brands, and have the means to fund some art programs back home in Senegal. If this whole speak into existence thing works, I also wanna be a millionaire, fingers crossed (not that it works, but shit why not give it a try).
