Today we’d like to introduce you to Messe a Bidias Rackel.
Hi Messe a Bidias, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started arts with little sketches at seven when I used to draw with chalk back then in nursery school on my writing board which is known as arm board (in pidgin). Back then I was fond of cartoons such as “Turtle Ninja”, “David Crochet”, “Johnny Bravo”, “Lucky Luke”, “Power Rangers”, “Cow and Chicken” and “Looney Tunes” which I spent all my time drawing in school while others took lessons. I also loved looking at my mother’s sewing books because she was a seamstress.
In a nutshell, I was obsessed with drawing on my books that my parents had to forbid and punish me at times but this only ignited my passion. I even ventured into other mediums such as wet ground to form characters in 3D with my siblings which we named “Catcheurs” (wrestlers). Now I realize that as a child, I stood out, I was wildly creative. I completed my primary school education and went to a technical secondary and high school, where I eventually met like-minded people. Even though I specialized in accounting, that gave me more time to harness my talent. In collaboration with my sister, we launched our first business. We created a series of personalized Valentine’s Day cards which sold out and caught the school’s attention which then officially recognized me as an artist and commissioned me to do any necessary creative work. During my school years, there was a popular Arts Programme “Les Crayon De Djino” run by the late Babel which aimed at giving artistic training to young students from nine years to 12 years. I wasn’t eligible and very disappointed by the rejection that I decided to draw for my little sister who was a participant.
My drawing came first for two years and was later busted by my friends who suspected I was the author of the winning pieces. This was the confirmation I needed to validate my talent and make my parents believe that I had prowess. Registration at the Alliance Franco – Camerounaise followed where I learned additional skills and my father also introduced me to seasoned artist Max Lyonga Sako who guided us in a three months sketch drawing course. After this, I later passed my GCSE and Baccalaureat and proceeded to study accounting at the University of Douala. Even though things were difficult, I managed to obtain my HND in accounting which didn’t give me any job prospects so I had to turn back to art as a means of survival since the unemployment rate was so high. Drawing on jeans, designing T-shirts, and drawing on walls became a means of sustainability. Always being a self-thought artist and social activist pushed my quest for equity and balance in society and the world in general thus resulting to more positive vibrations and énergies I keep on creating art for the soul.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being born and raised in a third-world country Cameroon was more of a rocky road rather than being a golden road to me. I worked to strengthen my art but things got much harder because Africans did not value the worth of visual artists. Conflicts, crisis between the English-speaking region and the French-speaking region got me homeless for some years, COVID-19 was also an outstanding factor which renders life more than a nightmare. My passion did not succeed in paying all my bills. I had to experience humiliation when introduced as an artist; there was discrimination in public areas I had to go through depression. I was reduced to asking myself a lot of questions. Suddenly, the tragic situation in 2020. I had a STROKE on one the left side of my body ,lleaving me paralyzed .not giving up on achieving my mission and dreams not to fade away,
Sincerely today, I can only say I am very grateful to the universe to have preserved my gift no matter how
external elements almost thwarted my destiny. I was terribly misunderstood as a child, there was limited
exposure to the art, tools and infrastructure. I would say the road was rough but that made me tough. I keep on creating for my people and writing my legacy as a black artist. On the way to achieving greatness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My works are depictions purely from the bloodline of my ancestors (black Africa) and those from the diaspora their culture, struggles, the quest for freedom, equality and balance for all humans, social injustice, infra humanizations, violence and children/women abuse in society and diaspora and most importantly the beauty of Africa and it’s healing nature to the world beautiful stories and people who put on a smile to this beautiful content. My pattern and style is unique .one brush stroke at a time tracing our history style and culture to the present and future generation. Conservation of our heritage (black)(Africa) and it’s diaspora is what am known for… Me being an artist is the freedom of my mind, and communication both spiritually, directly and indirectly to the world throughout my creations. The understanding of mankind and its ways, being it happiness or sadness, how my art is being synchronized with people’s lifetime stories, others find refuge in it meanwhile others found in the peace of mind joy motivation and comfort.
Watching my dream come to reality in writing a present history and more over creating my legacy as I keep producing, creating and revealing the untold story about my bloodline and present realities of my environment and its ecosystem.
The joy I bring to my lovely mother, family, friends and, etc. The way in which I grow up my spirituality, the ability for me to take care of my family and younger ones back in school and provide a little for those in need whenever I get a franc from my arts. Reaching out for sick people, orphans ,street children and village kids.
My pattern and style merged with my quest for equity and balance .conservation of our African culture and history therefore when I paint (create),I don’t think about art but rather I think about life. That what differentiates me from any other artist out there.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like about Houston is the diversity in the culture of the society its love for blacks and its social and cultural development you can enjoy a wealth of historical and modern sightseeing here on Earth. It’s home to great museums, and there’s even an urban park filled with well-preserved, centuries-old buildings. The climate is what I like least.
Pricing:
- $2500
- $5000
- $7000
- $9500
- $12000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marcel.pt/messe_bidias/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messe_bidias/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/messe.rackel
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@masserackel
