A Stroll Through The Park, an interview with visual artist Binga, by Kevin B. Hansen
From the BingaArt Collection: Around NY: A WALK IN THE PARK
As the weather gets warm and the flowers start to bloom, people start to relax and
begin to peel off the layers of winter clothing. Sidewalk cafes and a stroll through the park catch our attention once again as the boys come out to play, catching rays and getting in touch with the natural beauty that surrounds them. Well, one day while my senses were being aroused I stumbled upon the work of the visual artist known as BINGA. I was delighted by the beauty of his work and I felt my soul sing, so now I would like to introduce you to him. To keep this treasure to myself would be a sin. To look through his eyes is to gain entrance into a world of adventure and mystery. Come with me and enter into discussion with him. And if you happen to be in New York City you can see his work on display at Chi-chi’s, a friendly popular gay bar on Christopher Street in the village, between Hudson and Washington St. His paintings will be on display from May 12th through the end June.
Hansen: Binga, I know that you were born in New Jersey and began your photographic career in the US Navy as an aerial and recog photographer. While abroad was there any country that influenced your work the most?
Binga: Of the 32 countries that I have visited, I would have to say that Japan had the most lasting influence on my work. The general simplicity, not only of their culture, but of their lifestyles as well. Scale is important, not only in background choices, but any attribute that stands out the most, takes center focus…such as eyes, cheek bones, lips etc. There is a simple elegance that I found in Asian contemporary style, using that same theory combined with the strength of the majority of male subjects that I have shot, creates a great combination of what I know to be true as an American Black Man with what I learned as a foreigner.
Hansen: Where did you study your craft?
Binga: I attended Pace University in NYC as well as FIT (Fashion Institute of Tech) before joining the US Navy. It was there that I went to the Naval School of Photography in Pensacola, FL. And while stationed in Alameda, California, I attended the California College of Arts in Oakland, CA. But the truth of the matter is, it all happened while I was stationed aboard the USS Blue Ridge in Yokosuka, Japan. I had a chief who was a throwback from back in the 40’s who taught me how to hand paint my photographs as a hobby to pass the time while at sea.
Hansen: What advice would you give to an artist who’s trying to get his work out there?
Binga: Stay true to your passion, and don’t take every criticism personally. There is always someone better or some new thing that helps others to be as good if not better than you, but as an artist, it’s the essence of you that makes the art a success.
Hansen: I find your work extraordinarily passionate and moving. Can you explain the technique?
Binga: Simple: I shoot mainly B&W photographs, and depending on the mood of the pic I will hand paint colors onto the photograph, using toothpicks and cotton on fiber based paper. My canvas pieces are photographs transferred through an infrared technique, and I apply the paint as warranted. I also paint from images that I have taken or remember from something I’ve seen. None of this happens without a soaring aura from the subject.
Hansen: How do you choose your subjects for your paintings?
Binga: You know my brother, if people would just stop one day and just look at the brothers, I mean true black men doing what they do, some good, some bad, either way they/we have a distinctive walk, or strut if you will! It’s the kinda uniqueness that is so inherent in Black Men, that we as a group can recognize another black American man anywhere in the world. It’s for that reason that leads me to brothers that ride the rear of the Garbage trucks, the mailman. Hell even the bus driver can give an artistic eye a lil sumptin that turns into a great piece of art! I remember in the 70’s when a R. Mapplethorpe exhibit hit NYC and caused an uproar because most of the subjects were of Black men, many baby oiled to death, and afro picks sticking out the back of their large Afros. And then of course there were the ones that looked like Sambos with huge penises. Eventually, it was the talk of NYC, pros and cons. To me it represented what blue-eyes saw as a prowess, and enhanced with a shine from baby oil. I decided then that I would never shoot my brothers in a light that would be anything less than flattering, and indeed promote the subtle prowess that black men seem to have over most other races, just minus, the untamed beast image, and lets not start talking about the era of minstrels…lol!
Hansen: That’s cool bro we don’t have to go there. But I know what you’re talking about. Well, in any event you have a very good eye and I’m sure in your travels you’ve encountered quite a few people that have been memorable. It’s evident in your paintings, they seem to tell a story all within themselves. Can you tell me what inspired this painting? It looks like you captured a very private moment.
Binga: More of a life’s lesson moment. It was at a time when I began to realize that dealing with the supposedly forbidden, “Married, DL, and the confused.” The feeling of still being alone after what you thought was one of the best nights of passion that you experienced, yet when th
e sun comes up you’re still home alone. It’s moments like that which helps you define your future, as far as what you will allow and what you won’t…Sorry wish I could have given you some real love story behind that pic, but nah man, it’s an emotion that many of us have dealt with at some point. This is a canvas painting from a picture that I ran across while having one of those mornings…
Hansen: Mmmm, I hear you man. I’m sure it gave you a moment to pause and handle your business. (Pun intended, LOL) But seriously speaking, your use of color is incredible and seems to be the perfect marriage between your subject and the mood that you are trying to create. Can you tell me more about how you choose your colors to help you tell a story?
Photo: No Judgments.
Binga: I usually take cues from the energy that the original B&W print presents. Many times my own personal moods dictates the colors I use. I find that method helps to keep me true to the piece…Then of course when you are doing a period piece it works best for me to start by sepia toning the print…Soaking fiber based paper in steamed tea.
Hansen: I love Black and White based colored paintings. I also love the simple and elegant romance you captured in your painting ‘THE KISS’. Have you done a series of paintings/photos in this style?
Binga: I can’t really say that I have purposely set out to do a series, that shows the kind of love between two people as seen in THE KISS, yet over the years there have been many moments of romance that were spontaneous and I thought about compiling them into a show during the month of February for the Valentine Season, which happens to be my favorite holiday of the year…No doubt there will be images of a myriad of couples, where the eyes will sell the romance…Nothing like a pair of eyes looking at you with both love and lust…lol
Hansen: Yeah, tell me about it! LOL Your painting BEWILDERED was selected to celebrate James Brown’s 50-year career in music in a special event held in Augusta, GA in 2006. How did that come about and what was the experience like? Did you get to meet the God Father of Soul?
Binga: Standing on a line for three hours in the 60’s at the Apollo was about as close as I got to the God Father, yet this piece was seen by the curator of that show and he invited me to participate. There was no way that I would not be a part of honoring the man that had been a part of my life since adolescence. No doubt I have got my dance on, to brother Browns music, but as an adult, and having experienced some of life’s little jokes in the love department, I listened to James sing Bewildered one day and fell in love with the whole torch vibe of that song. It’s not often that you can hear a man sing a torch song and feel it as strongly as some of our best female torch singers. Instead of doing a painting of his image, I decided to create a piece that was a simple metaphor.
Hansen: The previous painting is from MEN OF COLOUR. Is it available for touring around the country? Are their other galleries around the country where people can find your work? If yes, can you name a few?
Photo: ANCESTRAL REFLECTIONS
Binga: Actually that show is touring as we speak, presently I’m showing it in New Orleans as a part of the relief effort. I just closed a show called “A WHOLE NOTHA STORY” in Morristown, New Jersey. I have sold works to three galleries abroad that are now a part of their permanent collection. Australia, Japan and Africa. This piece ANCESTRAL REFLECTIONS hangs in Ghana, here the subject sees reflections of ancestors through the reflection of the African mask image looking back at him. Connecting the Past with the Present!
Hansen: Wow, that’s very powerful man. I can see a movie being born in that moment. I love drama and film & television. Your painting MADE
MAN reminds me of a moment captured right out of a period from a novel by James Baldwin. Do you sometimes take old photos and use them as the subject for your paintings?
Binga: I do understand your reference to James, but again, keeping it real, I’m a freak for Gangster movies, and when I say gangsters, I don’t mean today’s version of a gangster, I mean those guys from back in the day when men wore Fedoras and long overcoats, fine suits and ties and yet were as crooked as broken fingers. This brother in the print featured, has such a strong personality as well as strong Black American features. Which confirms my earlier statement about the great presence that you see in brothers everyday.
Hansen: As gay pride is being celebrated around the country, I’m sure your series of nude paintings are in great demand. Have you ever considered doing a show just on that subject alone? Or even publishing a coffee table book? I’m sure there are many people who would love to buy it.
Binga: A person’s Muse is like anything else, it comes and goes.
Hansen: (I’m biting my tongue here readers, but you can fill in the blanks. Just having a bit of fun. But I’m sure they were amusing subjects.)
Binga: I went through a nude period, and indeed it worked well for me, but it was only the catalyst to further my mission of showing black men as the phenomenally sexy men they are, yet there is so much more to us, that my show that will be opening on the 12th of May is allowing me to take things to another level. Although the nudes sell well . . . Now I want my work to hang in peoples homes, that even their Grandmas can look at them without question. I want to show the quieter, educated and more elegant side of my brothers in this show, without sacrificing the feeling of the hood. This next piece came about…well it kinda speaks for itself…lol. We’ve all had these kinda moments, where you just have to handle things yourself!
Hansen: I know what you mean my brother, but it’s always fun when someone else can give you a hand…LOL. I know you must have a website where people can also see your work. What is the website address?
Binga: Of course my brother: It’s www.yessy.com/bingaart or simply google Bingaart and thank you for taking this time out with me. I have also started a line of t-shirts with images from some of my past works of art, with positive affirmations across the back. I’m presently working on a new website just for the shirts, but I have also posted a few on them on the website listed above.
Hansen: Thank you for sharing your work with us. I’m definitely going to add one of your paintings to my collection. Best wishes to you man in all your endeavors. I’m sure your exhibit is going to be a success. And to my readers, I hope you take a moment to see one of his shows it’s sure to be an experience not to be missed.
Binga: The pleasure was all mine!
Hansen: Likewise!
For my readers: I like to have a little feedback from my readers. Let’s open the conversation up a little. Please feel free to send me your comments or questions and I’ll address them. Below is a contest for those of you who are up to working up your creative juices and letting them flow.
CONTEST: Write a short story inspired by one of the paintings in this article. The short story can be up to 4,000 words or 10 pages, 12pt font Arial. The winners will be selected for publication. Send your short stories to: HansensCorner@kuttinedgeonline.com or HansensCornerEnt@aol.com.
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