YDF25 Artist 12 Q&A: Igor Tavares

What’s your background?

Exploring the intersections of painting, performance, poetry, photography, and film

Who are your biggest influences? Artistically? Who inspired you to become an artist?

Artistically, my work is deeply influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hammons, The Last Poets, and Angu Walters. Basquiat’s raw expression and use of symbols resonate with my approach to abstraction, while Hammons’ conceptual and material experimentation inspire my boundary-pushing techniques. The Last Poets’ spoken-word performances influence my rhythm and movement-based process, and Angu Walters’ vivid colors and storytelling shape my visual language.

How have you developed your career? (From student to artist)

My career has developed through a combination of formal learning, independent exploration, and hands-on experience in the arts. While my artistic foundation was shaped through early creative exploration, my real growth came from pushing beyond traditional pathways and immersing myself in multidisciplinary practices.

How does your work comment on current social or political issues? And if it does why is that important to you? Or if your work doesn’t comment on the current social or political issues what does it focus on instead?

My work engages with cultural identity, history, and transformation, often drawing from my Guinea-Bissau heritage and the broader African diaspora. While not always overtly political, my practice is deeply connected to themes of migration, displacement, and resilience. Through abstraction, movement, and mixed media, I explore how history, memory, and spirituality shape identity.
At times, my work subtly comments on social issues—addressing themes of belonging, colonial legacies, and the preservation of cultural narratives. By integrating dance and performance into my painting process, I reclaim space for Black expression, challenging conventional ideas about how art should be made and experienced.

At what point did you begin to call yourself an artist? What was it that made you think ‘I am an artist!’?

I didn’t always call myself an artist—at first, I was just someone creating, experimenting, and expressing myself. But over time, as my practice deepened and my work began resonating with others, I realized that art wasn’t just something I did; it was an integral part of who I am.

It wasn’t about selling work, seeking validation, or even just creating—it was about realizing that art is how I make sense of the world and connect with it. When I fully embraced that, I knew I was an artist.

What advice would you give to a young artist beginning their journey to becoming an artist?

My advice to a young artist is to embrace experimentation, stay true to your vision, and trust the process. Your artistic voice will evolve, so allow yourself the freedom to explore different mediums, styles, and ideas without feeling pressured to fit into a specific mold.

Rejection and self-doubt are part of the journey—don’t let them define you. Keep creating, keep learning, and put your work out there. Whether it’s through exhibitions, residencies, social media, or collaborations, visibility matters. Engage with other artists, seek community, and don’t be afraid to take up space.

Most importantly, make work that resonates with you. Art isn’t just about what you create; it’s about how you see, feel, and respond to the world. Stay committed to that, and your path as an artist will unfold naturally.

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