/ 3 July 1998

Nico Phooko’s different strokes

Phillip Kakaza

Nico Phooko is a versatile young man. He is an artist and a musician. Although his focus is on his art, one cannot separate his artistic output from his professional skills and insight as a musician. “If I find difficulties in singing a song, then I take a paintbrush and depict the emotions that go with the rhythm,” he says.

Phooko’s art and music have won him a unique position in South Africa and even abroad. He has never been overseas but his art has been exhibited in Germany, New York and Amsterdam. And his smooth voice is currently on the airwaves – with Ray Phiri and Joe Nina. His voice is featured in the soundtrack of the latest home-brewed movie, Fools, now on circuit. As a percussionist and vocalist, he has recorded with Joe Nina on his latest CD, Talk to Me.

Recently, Phooko turned his home into an art gallery. Walking into his modest house in Yeoville is like stepping into a world- class art gallery – the passage walls are painted bright green and are lined with oil paintings and wooden wall sculptures.

Trendily dreadlocked Phooko greets visitors with a charming smile. “Welcome to the Spiritual Visitations,” he says. Spiritual Visitations is the name of his latest solo exhibition, currently showing at his homely gallery.

All the rooms, including the bathroom and kitchen, display Phooko’s paintings. They depict his social life and its link with ancestral spirits.

The artist speaks with passion about the influence and inspiration behind his work. “I spend good quality time painting or working on a sculpture at night. I find night- time peaceful and inspirational. Besides, it’s the good time to listen to badimo, the ancestors, for inspiration.

“I regard myself a spiritual artist. Everything I paint or sculpt is about our social life. I believe as an artist I should listen to my elders, they give us directions as to how to lead our lives. And through my paintings I send a message – it could be of peace or war,” he says.

Phooko uses bright oil paints on canvas and he’s also fond of collages . “Bright colours – green, yellow, orange – are colours of happiness. And all the dark colours I associate with sadness or depression,” he explains.

Turning his house into a gallery will provide him with visions, he says. “As a young boy I never kept my drawings. No one appreciated them. Now that I have my own place I want to relate to my work for more inspiration. I also want to provide a space for other artists and art enthusiasts to come whenever they feel like viewing good art while they sip a cup of tea.”

Born in Kwa-Thema, Phooko says he grew up like an ordinary township boy but he was quite restless.

“My frustration as a boy was coming across people who always discouraged me from pursuing art as a career. Many said there was no money in art but because of my love of creativity and the call from my ancestors to communicate with people through art, I could not give it up. I always knew that in the long run it would pay,” he explains.

He has been persistent and makes more money from playing percussion with various groups or being hired to DJ at parties.

“It takes time and thought to make a living as an artist.”