Spotlight: Ibiye Camp


It's been a while since there's been a Spotlight on the blog but it's back with a bang! Known as Ibiye Camp to many, Ibs to a few or Chicken, as her sister affectionately calls her, this lady is a fellow celebrant of what expression is all about - doing something great with your passions.  Turning her love of art across various disciplines into a successful fashion art line - Such A Fan - is no easy feat but, with Ella Eyre and Bluey Robinson as fans and her work being showcased in Sister Magazine, Ibiye takes in all in her creative stride.

Ibiye's journey is one that I've had the pleasure to see over a number of years so when we met up while she shot  new pieces from the line, we talked Fine Art, finding strength in Paris with a li'l Rihanna inspiration and why it's good to talk..

Ibiye the Artist

 

Fine Art Beginnings..

Fine Art Beginnings..


I’ve always known I’ve wanted to do art so it was an easy choice to do my foundation course at Kingston.  You do a number of disciplines; illustration, moving image, fashion design, fine art and you have to pick a pathway.  We were scored within the first few weeks and, even though I scored best in design and worst in Fine Art, I knew I want to pursue Fine Art as I really wanted to paint.  I would create these huge paintings, film myself painting them and hang them in the streets.  I was just as interested in the creation as I was in the finished product.

Studying at Central St Martins

Getting a place at Central St Martins studying Fine Art, I was placed in the XD class which was in north London, a lot further away from the busier main campus.  I tried to change to 2D on the main campus but my tutors reviewed my work again and could see that I had been already been doing much more in terms of multidisciplinary work.  Ultimately, my paintings had become much more than just paint to canvas. 

Overcoming My first Challenge

Part of me knew that XD was a bigger challenge for me as it would help me develop the research and conversational aspects around the artwork I was producing.  My tutors Sarah and Trevor were amazing; I was definitely inspired by their work, and I got the opportunity to explore North London in a new way with other students.   As time went on, I found I was a lot more interested in Performance, as well as Fine Art and my final degree show was a mix of both.  I didn’t get to just do what I was good at but I explored art a lot further and, to quote our class motto, it was about the Xperience!

Paris & Perspective

After graduating from CSM, I went to visit my sister in New York and New Orleans to for a month.  It  was a great time to reflect and to think “what next?”.  I came back and hosted my first show in London with my friend Lina called Beyond Time; it was a participatory show, all about being playful, dancing and getting people involved which was another great way to experiment with performance art.  I also hosted another event and a pop up show in East Street market, making for a very busy summer.  Later spending time in Venice and a longer period in Paris gave me some time to discover other sides of myself and it was during this time I started to work on the concept which developed into ‘Such A Fan’

Doing it for Myself

During my degree, I was commissioned to do paintings for few people and I didn’t really enjoy the experience as my colourful style wasn’t well received.  I went to Paris a good 6-7 months after I graduated and I realised that I wanted to get back to the place where I loved painting again; to regain the love I had from painting when I was a child.  Spending time in Paris, rediscovering my passion and so much more, played a big part in where I am now.


 Ibiye the Woman


Artist vs Designer

I really don’t see myself as a designer, having started the ‘Such A Fan’ range. To me,  the denim is a canvas and, incorporating my interests in performance art, people wearing the clothing brings that artwork to life.  It’s a different way of looking at hung artwork; instead of walls you have people.  Self-portraits have always been seen as a gift of luxury and being able to treat yourself to something special.  I wanted to bring that into my designs; it’s about being proud of who you are, whether it’s with  a pair of selfie jeans or a t-shirt showing your love of an inspirational person. 

 


My Inspirations

Frida Kahlo for me, and so many other artists, is a big inspiration as she did portraiture and began to tell stories through her portraiture.  She inspired me from a young age and I’ve found that many people relate with her image on my t-shirt, having grown up with her also. Painting her has shown the power of self-portrait as she was a pioneer of embracing your imperfections, showing that people are beautiful in their own differences. Frida Kahlo is a pretty amazing person.



My Motivators

My sister Ininaa.  She’s the photographer behind all the imagery for the line and has taken me around London with all my crazy demands! My mum, Sokari and dad Alan are also my inspirations; they’re both creators and know the pressures of being your own worst critic so they help with dealing with that.  I’m lucky to have people around me who are really supportive.


 

My Advice to the Newbies

My Advice to the Newbies

Always create what you love.  When you take in consideration your target market and pricing you got to make something that you would be happy to buy yourself and love.  I’d also say to keep talking to people about your ideas; it allows to think more about what works, what doesn’t and how people react to them.


My favourite item from the collection?

It would probably be a combination of my favourite image of Tiffany, the beautiful model used to debut the line,  wearing the Rihanna jeans that I made as they were the first pair of jeans I created; I actually sent them to Rihanna so I hope she got them! I also love the Kanye jeans, they’re a mix of smiling Kanye and that infamous Kanye Scowl.
  

Ibiye in 3 words?


Not too sure; I’m still working it out!

A woman as beautiful as her art!  You can buy Such A Fan items on www.ibiyecamp.com, follow Ibiye on Twitter (@ibiyecamp), Facebook & Instagram (@ibiyecamp).  If you'd like to meet Ibiye in person you can go to the following places:


She'll also be doing a show with jewellery designer Charlotte Agullano and nail artist Metta Francis - stay tuned!


Photography by Ininaa Camp

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