Art & Artists
Artist Suliman Onque, pictured right. Artwork by Onque pictured left
ART & ARTISTS
I recently had a conversation with artist Suliman Onque to discuss his recent exhibit Lineage at the Akwabaa Gallery in Newark. The exhibit featured his work and the work of his mother Yvonne Onque and his brother Samad Onque. It seemed appropriate during this month of African American history to take a look at traditions within families that embrace a legacy for the present and future generations. Suliman and I have known each other for many years, but only recently reconnected. I wanted to talk to him about his work and find out more about his artistic heritage and how it influenced him as an artist. Our interview took place on February 12th over Zoom.Toni: I wanted to talk to you about your recent exhibit at the Akwabaa Gallery in Newark. The title was Lineage. It implies an artistic tradition that is very significant during Black History month. In terms of your artist lineage does your’s start with your mother or parents, or does it go back farther?
Suliman: Well, my grandfather and my grandmother were both artistically inclined. I knew my grandmother but my grandfather had passed before I was born. But I was told they both had artistic skills. I did see some work my grandmother did and we actually exhibited one of her pieces in a matrilineal exhibit in 2019, as part of the Newark Arts Festival. The exhibit included children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The MatureLineal was what it (the exhibit) was called. We embodied a lot of family in that one.
T: You mentioned the matrilineal. So, the grandfather and grandmother you mention are on your mother’s side?
S: Yes
T: What about your father’s side? Were there any artistic influences coming from there?
S: My father knew poetry and he knew photography, as well. At one point I started doing some photography. And poetry… I like to do spoken word.
T: I didn’t know you wrote.
S: I write when I have something on my mind.
T: Are there aspects of your artistic lineage you want to talk about?
S: The Onque family. We came from a lot of artistic people. My uncle Bryon was very talented with dance, with music and acting. He made his own music. (He) passed away in the 80’s, but was a very strong producer and singer and screen writer, as well. He went to Arts High. My mother went to Arts High and me and my brother both went there, as well.
…My mother is the forefront of that. I know I say my grandmother, but I didn’t really see her (make) art. ..The art of cooking. I learned how to make potato salad from watching her and peeling potatoes with her. That was something I learned from her. ...Back to my mom. She’s a phenomenal person. Period. In any walk of life, her skill set, the way she is, her energy. The love she gives. The knowledge she pours into you. The fact that she wants you to be who you are, know who you are, find your lineage, find your heritage, be all you can and more. Know that you can hold your head up and be recognized on any platform. She pushes that and she’s about our people. Her people. Her art is not just pleasing to the eye but also pleasing to the soul. My brother was also someone I looked up to. He’s a year and a half older than me. The fact that we can work together as a group, 3 the art way. You don’t get that everywhere.
T: In terms of your own art, what do you strive to project with your art?
S: I push color. I push message within color. I do art from my emotion. Whatever I’m feeling will dictate what I'm going to do. I want somebody to see something that’s going make them like what they see. Or change their emotion. If there is a message, I want the message to come across well. More than not, you’re going to always to see a face in my piece whether it is abstract or not. I like to give art its own life. Art is life. I believe that is something that I stand by. Showing art. But showing life through art. My style shows you how art can give you life. Art can heal you. Art can show you love. Art can show you emotion. Art can be that therapy for you. Be your healer. All these things in one painting at any given time.
Transcribed, written and edited by Toni Thomas
