AAMU Art Gallery Features Work of Graduating Senior

Vence N’tcha is a multidisciplinary visual artist who finds inspiration in everyday life. His work, entitled “Through the Motions: Tempus Pretium” has been on display in the Alabama A&M Art Gallery from November 18 through December 16.

The senior graphic design major from Benin, West Africa, says his art reflects a deep curiosity about the world, drawing from the emotions and scenery of his daily life. He says his transition from Benin to the United States has a big influence on his work.

“My mom’s an artist and the high school I went to in Benin leaned toward technical diplomas like plumbing and carpentry, but we also took a little bit of art classes,” says N’tcha. “I just wanted to follow up on that and that’s why I chose to major in graphic design.”

N’tcha made his way to Alabama A&M three years ago on a tennis scholarship after transferring from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“When I got into the transfer portal I reached out to schools that had an art program and I could still stay in Division 1,” explains N’tcha. “I got in contact with the coach, got a pretty good offer and decided to come here.”

When he wasn’t playing tennis for the Bulldogs, N’tcha spent time on his academics and his artwork, which he calls a mixed media collection of paintings and abstract drawings. Though it looks like his designs are created and printed on his computer, they are not.

“No, it’s magic markers and poster board and it’s on the backside or rough side of the poster board because the slick slide with magic markers becomes a little bit problematic,” says Associate Professor of Art Education Scott Smith. “We’re living in a generation that’s predicated on instantaneous and things that are inexpensive. Vence has done a fantastic job putting these together.”

N’tcha says his work depicts everything from his move to the U.S., to cityscapes, to what he goes through on a daily basis.  

“Except for my paintings, the rest is all imagination,” says N’tcha. “It’s kind of how I feel, coming here from Africa, the walls you have to go through coming here, that’s how I feel and I still feel out here, because I am not home. We don’t have buildings like New York City, and that was definitely something when I saw that with my own eyes. It all just flows through. I start with a couple of straight lines and then I just zone out.”

N’tcha also uses bold textures, layered acrylic compositions, and something a bit unusual. 

“One of the other aspects is he’s actually coming in and continuing to work on the show directly on the wall,” says Smith. “Some of the color that you see has been added intermittently as he’s come in to work on them. I will miss him as a student. He is usually the life of the party.”

N'tcha says he is looking forward to a reception for his show in the art gallery on Thursday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m., and his commencement on Friday. He plans to stay in Huntsville next semester to continue his work with Associate Professor Smith. He is also volunteering to run social media for non-profit Cure Diabetes, Inc., in Huntsville. N'tcha hopes to move to Boston where he has family, coach youth tennis and continue his artwork. 

“My mom just flew to Boston and she’s coming to Alabama A&M to look at my show before commencement,” says N’tcha. “I’m very excited that she will see me graduate. I know she will be so proud!”