Kay Gasei is a blended media artist from Southeast London. On this Artist Insights movie, Kay explains a few of the symbology behind his characters, how completely different colors maintain which means for him, and why he wants to attract with the intention to visualise his concepts.
Artist Insights: Kay Gasei
Contents
0.00 Introduction
0.32 “Once I was a child I didn’t know what an artist was”
1.32 “I don’t prefer to be instructed what to assume or learn how to assume”
2.28 “I taught myself to attract with my proper hand”
3.04 “The transition from illustration to portray was reactionary”
3.52 “My work has recurring characters”
7.03 “Phrases, symbols, and particulars reverberate all through my work”
7.44 “While you have a look at somebody’s work, you’ll be able to inform if it’s a pastiche or impressed”
9.20 “I exploit color in a symbolic means”
10.15 “I’m at all times drawing and writing notes”
12.16 “A portray is ultimate while you say its ultimate”
13.10 “I exploit oils- that’s what the massive canines use!”
16.17 “Brush form is extra essential to me than what it’s fabricated from”
17.00 “My studio was clear, as soon as upon a time”
17.40 “I’ve at all times been an evening owl”
19.08 “Titles are typically more durable than the portray”
19.44 “I hardly ever signal the entrance of my work”
20.30 “The factor you’re not accustomed to doing, you need to try this extra”
20.38 Credit
Extract
I didn’t know what the artwork world was till I used to be a teen. At that time, I simply wished to be an illustrator which is what I did in faculty and at college.
In my second 12 months, I acquired actually outdoors of the illustration program. I believe I’ve been actually near it for ages and solely within the final three years or so it has actually broadened out – it was very illustrational and drawing heavy and now it’s no matter it’s.
Once I was younger, I didn’t actually find out about artwork stuff, simply huge names of lifeless individuals within the nationwide gallery, like da Vinci and Dürer and all of the previous masters. Something that was simply purely representational. I didn’t have the artwork schooling to have the ability to respect fashionable artwork so after I began portray I used to be form of responding to the stuff that was taking place on the planet and it was all a bit bit political. However I didn’t need it to purely be so, so I believe I attempted to make use of numerous mythology and up to date historical past. So it’s a three-tiered piece and sure particulars would harken to a mythology or historical past or the present scenario.
It’s only a cool means of telling a narrative and saying one thing. I personally don’t prefer to be instructed how or what to assume. For instance, you may watch a movie and assume it’s about one factor, however there’s a which means and there’s a theme behind it. So I at all times attempt to have a number of meanings and ranges to my work. There’s a narrative to all my work even when it’s in a single picture.

Cultural Capital: Urge for food, 2023
Kay Gasei
Blended media on canvas, 200 × 160 cm | 78.7 x 63 in
I work in sequence rather a lot, normally twos or threes, and I taught myself to attract with my proper hand after I was 20. I’m naturally left-handed and I believe that added to my apply as a result of it’s not simply linear. I taught myself to put in writing backwards as properly.
The transitional transfer from illustration was in the course of the time that shouldn’t be named (2020). Illustration work had form of simply dried up, as every part else did, so after I began making work it was virtually reaction-based to what was taking place.
I used to be reflecting on Black Lives Matter, so I suppose even then it was nonetheless a bit autobiographical. I’ve been doing numerous sketchbook work on identification, masculinity, and what which means. I grew up in Southeast London and I had a really particular thought of what it was.
Fortunately I’ve had nice pals for the final 16 years and we’ve all grown collectively and talked about who we’re, what we’re, and why we’re. I don’t know learn how to put that into my work simply but however some bits are seeping in and my work does have some recurring characters.
I had these characters just like the pleasures or the hedonists and I used to attract them to be outlined with curly hair that coated their eyes as a result of they had been identical to pleasure seekers. However drawing Black Lives Matter stuff, I wanted a personality to embody how I felt. I couldn’t use that pleasure character, so I simply did the alternative, which was a blacked-out character. I stuffed them in. As a result of the earlier character had curly hair and also you couldn’t see their eyes, I made this one have form of spiky-ish hair, which form of resembles my hair now, and why lots of people assume it’s autobiographical but it surely’s not.

S.O.S, 2023
Kay Gasei
Oil, oil pastels and pencil on reverse primed canvas, 120 × 70 cm | 47.2 x 27.6 in
It’s simply the alternative of the previous character that was a pleasure seeker and this character has diamond-shaped, white eyes that see every part. I didn’t need to use that character an excessive amount of as a result of I didn’t need to water it down by it being so ubiquitous. However then I questioned why I’m giving myself these limitations. So I carried on utilizing the character for various issues however then I modified them so the character virtually at all times represents turmoil or one thing taking place to individuals. Then, if the character has a white physique with black palms it’s like divinity. I’m not very religious however there’s a factor referred to as meliorism which is the assumption in human ingenuity and the spirit of individuals. So while you see that character with a white physique and black palms, it’s the spirit of individuals normally. Whereas the black character is bodily, one thing in actual life, one thing that’s truly taking place.
To start with I’d put a blue sock for feminine power and a purple sock for male power. I took it away as a result of it felt too highlighted.
In the event you get it, you get it. In the event you don’t get it, you don’t get it. You don’t should be instructed. I’ve a personality referred to as ‘odd’. It simply means the universe and every part in it.
The character is sort of a youngster to signify surprise and exploration, development, and adolescence. Some are tremendous playful and a few are a bit extra sinister playful. I at all times need a little bit of a haunting component with them. Earlier than they had been actually indifferent, however I just like the character to signify everybody. I don’t thoughts having a little bit of what I really feel within the characters, as a result of I’m not so distinctive that nobody else feels or thinks how I do, so somebody will relate one way or the other.

All Our Sister, 2024
Kay Gasei
Oil, oil pastel and Conte pencil on free linen, 75 × 105 cm | 29.5 x 41.3 in
There’s numerous element and symbolism in my work, which I believe comes again to not wanting it to be too apparent.
The titles normally reverberate again to the work like a clue. Everybody’s acquired their very own idiosyncrasies and the viewer can construct a story with completely different items of my work.
Symbols and particulars all reverberate again into the work and typically it’s simply what was on my thoughts. Generally it’s a bit too revealing to make use of phrases, and I don’t need it to be like a film poster. I would like it to be an object within the work. I’ve my private handwriting which I didn’t need to use earlier than. I used to make use of a really blocked and easy type. However now I’m extra snug doing my very own cursive script (which might be illegible) however I believe it appears to be like like one other object within the work.

R.R ; Chamber Pots, 2024
Kay Gasei
Oil on reverse primed canvas, 90 × 90 cm | 35.4 x 35.4 in
Two of my favorite work of all time are Guernica by Picasso as a result of it’s huge and it’s actually playful within the execution of it. Clearly, the subject material is the alternative of playful, it’s a literal tragedy, however I like this antithesis. The opposite one is Witches Flight by Goya. He’s from a time when art work was both representational or it was about faith, and this one’s about superstition. It’s weirdly summary and fashionable and I believe it’s simply an incredible picture. These witches appear to be they’re consuming somebody alive above him, or doing a little witchery. It’s tremendous complicated, however the picture itself appears to be like easy. How do you be the primary one to do one thing is what I get from that one. Some individuals simply copy a method, however one thing is lacking, so that you at all times need to be as bonafide and true to your expertise as potential when making work. As soon as you realize why you’re doing it, it can inform the way you do it.
My favorite color is purple. From 2021 to the tip of 2022-23, I used numerous purple. Now, within the final 12 months, blue is the distinguished color. However purple is my favorite, so I don’t care, I’ll simply use it. Blue, good color, with completely different shades, tones, and it at all times appears to be like good. Yellow and inexperienced? One thing about these colors shouldn’t be pure to me. I exploit color in a symbolic means, just like the spirit of an thought. To me, the presence of yellow is like the color of a spirit for some purpose. So in a few of my work, you may see a yellow orb, and it’s in all probability the spirit of the person.
I’m at all times drawing and writing notes, however typically I get a picture in my head that’s been culminating over a very long time. Normally when a piece is kind of easy, that’s how the picture got here to me and it didn’t actually change an excessive amount of.
I used to design work with my pill first as a result of I assumed I wanted to have it deliberate out. I’d nonetheless get some spontaneous components, but it surely was at all times deliberate. Then someday I simply didn’t have time to plan, so I simply went straight onto the canvas. I’ve aphantasia, which implies I can’t visualise, and that’s in all probability why I draw a lot. For instance, a standard individual closes their eyes, footage an apple and may see it of their thoughts’s eye. I don’t see something after I shut my eyes and attempt to visualise. It’s simply black or simply gentle, except I daydream, which isn’t aware, and my goals are actually vivid. I’ve to place out a picture to know what it appears to be like like. I can’t think about what it appears to be like like. I used to attract continually, whereas now I write notes, descriptions, and phrases. However sketchbooking is the principle outlet.

Cultural Capital: Herstory (Claudette Colvin), 2022
Kay Gasei
Oil on reverse primed canvas, 119.4 × 180.3 cm | 47 × 71 in
Once I’m portray, relying on the place I’ve began from mentally, it might probably take a number of hours of precise bodily portray to complete a bit, or it might probably take months. It actually does fluctuate case by case, however for essentially the most half, it’s a median of hours. Once I first acquired into portray I questioned, “What’s a portray? How are you aware when it’s completed?” Now, it’s no matter it’s. As quickly as I believe, “If I contact this anymore, it’s ruined.” I’ve had that thought at the least 3 times. Then I’ll simply depart that there alone.
I began utilizing oil as a result of I assumed “What did the massive canines use? Oils? I’m simply gonna go for that.” I didn’t actually give it some thought, and I’ve by no means actually been a fan of watercolour, I’m not gonna lie. It’s actually wishy-washy. It’s actually watercolour. I simply by no means acquired into it.
I do use acrylic for an underlayer or simply to see the impact, and even acrylic on high of oil simply to see what that appears like. The factor about oils is that not many issues can work on high of it till it’s actually dry. I exploit turps to skinny them, however I don’t need them so skinny that they’re like washes. I don’t need washes. So I’ll use some form of varnish or medium to assist it dry, like a siccative, simply to convey it alongside shortly.

For the Birds, 2024
Kay Gasei
Oil, oil sticks and oil pastel on free linen, 122 × 65 cm | 48 × 25.6 in
Even a glaze, as a result of that helps it develop into a bit sticky as properly. While you put one thing down, and put one thing over it, after which it form of breaks, the impact may be attention-grabbing. I’ll additionally combine a darker color into the sunshine. Or, I’ll use a bit little bit of drying medium to assist it. I don’t thoughts the method of utilizing oils of their pure means now.
For the primary six months to a 12 months, I used liquin to assist the work dry. Now, wanting again, all of the work had been fairly flat. I used siccative or drying mediums, some varnish or glaze.
I’m not a fan of washes. I’d do it as a base, perhaps simply to have some delicate color in there, particularly with the reverse-primed works. However I primarily use Jackson’s oils, in addition to Previous Holland, Williamsburg, and Michael Harding.
Generally I exploit color by itself, relying on the temper of the work. Generally it’s straight from the tube, but it surely’s normally blended, and that’s in all probability simply due to the palettes I exploit.
I’ve gotten to love cleansing off the palette after which placing all of the dry oil in a bucket. With my current items, I assumed, “What can I remix? What can I do now?” I normally depart them soaked in spirits or turps, and I get dry bits of coagulated oil paint and use these as my very own oil sticks. In order that they’re already a combination of color, and I exploit them as a base. With my work, for essentially the most half, it’s clear-primed linen or reverse-primed cotton canvas.

Nightmarchers, 2023
Kay Gasei
Giclee print on Hahnmuhle photograph rag pearl, 59.4 × 59.4 cm | 23.4 × 23.4 in
I’ve numerous brushes – completely different hairs, completely different ferrule sizes, all of the enterprise. Generally I don’t even have a look at them. I don’t care in the event that they’re synthetics or pure hair, I don’t actually have a look at what they’re fabricated from. I simply want the form as a result of I want the element. A couple of of them I’ve edited myself – lower them or pulled out a few of the bristles, as an alternative of simply utilizing a smaller one.
I’ve a number of that I like – the recurring ones. In all probability about 20. Then I’ve about 50 or 60 others that simply sit there like, “Decide me, decide me,” and I’m like, “At some point, someday, someday.”
My present studio is a cool area in East Ham. It was clear at one level – as soon as upon a time. After which I acquired busy and busier, and busier, and it simply grew to become insanity. I’ve acquired a shelf with a bunch of books and sketchbooks – too many bloody sketchbooks. Then I’ve acquired stuff stapled to the wall and a desk with all my important stuff on it.
I used to have all the colors set out like a bloody serial killer, with OCD, within the shades. Now, it’s simply the mediums and stuff, bits of paper, and shifting tables with the colors. I identical to it to be as dynamic as potential.
Working-wise, I work at night time, at all times have. At the same time as a child, I at all times used to remain up and draw. As a result of in the course of the day, I used to be at school, after which got here house to do chores and household stuff. However at night time, I wished to attract – everybody else was sleeping, and I had my area.
So, I used to remain up and draw beneath the covers till a silly hour. It in all probability wasn’t even that late, simply previous midnight, but it surely felt like a insurrection. As an grownup, I attempted to be a ‘regular’ civilian, go to the studio at 9 am, make a cup of espresso, and do the same old. However I’d discover that I’d do nothing all day, then at 5 pm, I’d really feel impressed. So I’ve simply leaned into it. Nighttime is one of the best time for me – at the least night.
Now, in the course of the day within the studio, I do sketchbook work or preparation work. Then, I depart at an inexpensive time, perhaps take a day or two off to stay life, then return into the studio. I’ll be there from perhaps 5 or 6 pm till 5 or 6 am, or 3 or 4 am, nonetheless lengthy I believe I want. I lose observe of time. It’s what it’s.

The Malaika Battle The Flesh, 2023
Kay Gasei
Oil on linen, 150 × 80 cm | 59.1 × 31.5 in
Pondering of the title is more durable than the portray itself, to be sincere. As a result of the title, for essentially the most half, is said again to the piece or is one other inkling into what the piece is about.
And typically I don’t know. I don’t like the concept of ‘untitled’. It by no means sat properly with me. If a portray is bodily performed and I haven’t acquired a title for it but, then it’s not completed in my head. The title is a part of the piece to me.
If the work looks like considered one of these deep and significant works the place I’m actually getting my coronary heart and soul into it, I received’t signal the entrance of it as a result of I really feel prefer it detracts. My signature may simply appear to be an object some other place. I do know it’s mine, however I don’t need it to be a product. I don’t need it to really feel like a product – like, “Oh, purchase this.” The picture ought to converse for itself.
So, I hardly ever ever signal the entrance. Possibly on the facet or the again. It’s bizarre as a result of I make it to promote it, that’s the purpose. However I attempt to not have that in thoughts after I’m making it. I simply try to make one thing I need to make.
Within the phrases of my brother, “Folks purchase into you, probably not your work. I don’t find out about this portray stuff, however you’re in all probability proper – it’s you greater than the work.”
Clearly, the work is the work – that’s nice however don’t conceal, simply meet individuals, go to the reveals, and all that form of stuff. The factor you’re not naturally accustomed to doing, you need to in all probability try this extra, as a result of the factor that you are able to do, you’ll be snug to do it. So in case you are a type of shy individuals, who don’t go to reveals and don’t meet individuals, you need to in all probability just be sure you go, much more so. Simply do it. Simply purchase some supplies, and simply do it. Take into consideration why you’re making the work, and, should you don’t actually have the why, as a result of typically you don’t have the why, you simply say “I simply need to make work” and go along with your instinct. Your instinct ought to inform the method.
About Kay Gasei
Kay Gasei is a dynamic visible artist whose work explores the intersection of symbolism, abstraction, and surrealism. Drawing inspiration from mythology, goals, and the human expertise, Kay creates thought-provoking items that problem notion and invite deep introspection. His distinctive type blends intricate particulars with highly effective storytelling, making him a rising power within the up to date artwork world.
Kay Gasei is a Zambian-British, London raised artist whose inventive journey has been considered one of transitions from illustration, style and thru to the quote unquote superb arts most just lately. His works deal with a spread of subjects with a method that tends to elude to fairly than overtly elucidate, working with multi and overlapping narratives. A dynamic visible type whose work explores the intersection of symbolism, abstraction, and surrealism. Drawing inspiration from mythology, goals, and the human expertise, Kay creates thought-provoking items that attempt at difficult notion and invite a twinkle of introspection or simply to let the thoughts wander.
Additional Studying
Contained in the Sketchbook of Kay Gasei
The Unintended Invention of Pyrrole Purple, a Fashionable Pigment
The Psychological Well being Advantages of Creating Artwork
Plein Air Portray at Glastonbury Competition
Store Oil Portray on jacksonsart.com