Meet Abi Mustapha | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abi Mustapha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abi, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I grew up there and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Political Science and an emphasis on sustainability. I was brought up in a multiracial and multicultural home. I didn’t realize growing up that I was having an immensely different experience than my peers, as a biracial person operating in primarily white spaces. I didn’t realize that most of my friends didn’t have connections to people oversees or anywhere else in the world. I just didn’t think about it and was probably a bit sheltered from many things until they just couldn’t be hidden anymore. My dad is from Sierra Leone and my mom is American. When war broke out in the already unstable West African country we felt the effects rippling from across the ocean, hearing about loved ones dying, children my age turned into murderous soldiers and the constant maiming of people in the streets. I saw footage of it. I heard my parents on the phone constantly with family needing help, or running to the bank to wire money to Africa instead of investing in spring break trips to Florida. When I tried to talk about it with my middle school friends I realized that although we shared physical space, we lived in very different worlds. This impacted who I am today by creating the chasm that began to separate me from my friends with regards to what was important in my life. I began to travel and explore art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has shifted and evolved as I do. When I was in elementary school I used to say that I was going to be an artist. Somehow that dream dissolved as I got older. By the time I graduated from college I never would have imagined that I’d end up being an artist living in a beach town in California. (literally california dreaming)

I just always made art no mater what else I was doing for work, in my spare time I drew or painted or crafted. Right after I graduated I was contacted by one of my professors who remembered me drawing during his class. He asked me to illustrate a permaculture book he was writing since I knew the patterns and info. It was my first illustration job and it paid my rent for several months. That planted the seed.

I moved to Oakland with my college boyfriend who did large scale metal sculpture work which landed us in the burning man/ maker scene. I was surrounded by creatives living in West Oakland. I ended up teaching ceramics as a little clay shop in Emeryville that was owned by a friend from Indiana. From that I was hired as a full time artist assistant to a ceramicist. At some point I asked to hang my work in a new local coffee shop. A week after putting up two pieces I was contacted and offered an art show at a local bar. From that show I was invited to do a mural in a neighboring restaurant and it began to snowball from there. When I first moved to Oakland I was pretty broke and just hustling whatever I could do here and there to earn money. I worked doing all kinds of odd jobs. I also trimmed and sold weed. (you can leave that out if it seems to illicit)

It was not easy. What I learned was that most opportunities have hidden opportunities on the other side. There were times when I cried myself to sleep worrying about money. There were times that I took very low paying jobs or made work trade deals that were way below my value just because I was so desperate to earn money but was too afraid of loosing my perceived freedom to get a 9-5. Looking back it would have been easier to have a higher level of financial stability but I was so afraid it would destroy my creativity (you know that kind that comes from struggle and emotional turmoil) that I followed the archaic path of broke artist until it fruited. I’m not sure I would recommend that. It makes for good stories 10 years later that perpetuate the romanticized narrative of broke bohemian artist pushing through against all odds but in reality it kind of sucked.

My brand is still being molded. The more I just show up, follow my intuition, prioritize my authenticity, and make art even when I’m uninspired, the more I’m prepared to jump on opportunities when they arise. There are lots of opportunities for artist in the Bay Area. Being ready is paramount.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It just so happens my best friends have come out to visit. One even decided to move here.

I start with a redwood hike in Santa Cruz.
hang out with friends at a brewery or two (even though I’m not a big beer drinker just like the vibe)
Spend a few days exploring San Francisco, no itinerary just wandering taking the necessary pics with the GG and in Delores park. We’d visit random dive bars and restaurants that look good along the way, see an outdoor comedy show.
Maybe head up the coast to show them how beautiful Humbolt is or down the coast to Big Sur.

I have the most fun when I get to explore with minimal planning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shout out to my parents, aunties, uncles, surrogate parents, cousins, and siblings for supporting me in my explorations even when it didn’t look like they were leading anywhere. I’ve alway felt loved and always known that I had home wherever they are. That kind of support is such a privilege. It gave me space to explore knowing I had lots of support to fall back on if I needed it. My family isn’t financially wealthy but I feel like I grew up rich because of all the complete and utter support and faith I was handed by sheer virtue of being a Mustapha.

I’d also like to give a huge shout out to my mentor artist Stephen Bruce. He is the cool uncle I never knew I needed. Everyone needs a cool uncle or auntie! Through his example and encouragement (not to mention persistent reminders) I’ve been able to shift into art as a mostly full time career and It’s only continuing to get better!

Website: Abimustapha.com

Instagram: Abimustapha

Linkedin: Abi Mustapha

Twitter: @abimustapha

Facebook: Abi Mustapha