Agnes graffiti art

SOME say art is learnt. Others say art is naturally endowed. Whichever way artistic flairs come through, they usually take our breath away. An artist whose work has such an effect is Agnes Sokosoko. The Fiji National University diploma graduate in Visual Arts and Physical Education aspires to become an art teacher.

From the village of Natokalau on the island of Ovalau, Sokosoko surely has not only been gifted with the hands of an artist but has also sharpened her talents through art lessons. Her work is largely influenced by British graffiti artist, Bank Sy, who is quite the outside-the-box thinker. Now, we all have our ways of being influenced and there are many catalysts surrounding a child as he or she grows up.

For Sokosoko her father played a major role in her love for art. He was the one who showed her the magic of what a pencil could do on a blank sheet of white paper. How after a few, experienced strokes, a lifeless piece of paper is transformed into a work of art. We take for granted the beautiful portraits and landscape paintings around us because we have no idea how such creations come together.

Well, it's not our fault, is it? There are basically too many knock-offs all over the place that have made art nothing more than business and not what it actually is supposed to be: freedom of expression. This is what Sokosoko feels when she is painting;free. This is because to create a painting is to be able open up your mind to the wonders of colours and not be limited by the usual rainbow colours that we often see. Paintings come alive and move along the canvas with the aid of the artist's every stroke. That is how shading comes into perspective and how a painting comes alive.

But Agnes is not your usual portrait or landscape artist. She is an aspiring graffiti artist. In fact, when you pass by the Raiwaqa Chiep Lee Store, you can't miss its revamped walls. It's been turned into a mural, which reflects her perception of her neighbourhood. Agnes specialises in creating 3D art - the kind that pops out at you and literally draws your attention. It is not your usual house on the beach with the sunset background. Her paintings are tough and vivid. They are full of life and they open up your mind to the wonders of the impossible.

These designs capture her personality. However, Agnes' talents are not limited to painting. She is also one of Fiji's best basketball players and has been a part of the Fiji National squad since 2004. She was a member of the 2007 Gold winning South Pacific Games in Samoa where she travelled with her older brother, Peni Sokosoko who was also a member of the Fiji Men's National squad. The men's team also won the Gold medal, hence creating two more reasons to celebrate. She is the youngest in her family and has two elder brothers.

Her other brother is also artistically inclined and is a graphic artist who designs for websites. At the age of 25, Sokosoko has dreams of pursuing a career in art. However she is still trying to achieve her ultimate dream of becoming an art teacher and is for the time being using her talents to brighten up the lives of those in her neighbourhood.

End of story The Fiji Times Newspaper

Monday 24th May, 2010




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