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23 | THE VOICE JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2012
EXPECTING
Lil’ Kim’s shock pregnancy
ANNIVERSARY
Kanye celebrates 10 years in music
F UNNY T UMMY Picture per fect
24 ! THE VOICE FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014
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UK artist FunnyTummy talks to YV’s Dionne Grant about his debut book, getting Rihanna’s attention and why he rejects the term ‘urban artist’
“I
'M NOT an urban artist. I'm just an artist. I draw pictures and I paint pictures. I'd rather no prefixes,” says art maestro FunnyTummy. His award-winning portfolio of celebrities such as Rihanna, Beyoncé and a host of UK faces has had many attaching the “limiting term” to his vocation, but as the 28-year-old rightly points out, “it takes away from what it is I actually do.” Because amongst the amazing portraits of famous faces, lay stunning pieces of artwork some created solely by ballpoint pens - album covers for top musicians and more lighthearted cartoon pieces. By all intents and purposes, FunnyTummy's work has undoubtedly outgrown the parameters of 'urban art'. “The term urban doesn't even
apply to me,” says the West Midlands-born artist. “[Urban] is inner city, I'm not inner-city; I'm suburban. “And even if that wasn't the case,” he adds, “I'd like to think my thought process isn't defined or imprisoned by a country. Things that inspire me are not places. I'm inspired by experiences.” FunnyTummy, real name Jason Dunkley, grew up in a house full of creatives. His love of painting was genetic, so by the age of four, it was no surprise that just like his grandmother, mother and older brother, he had found his calling. “It's funny because when I was in school we'd have a career day,” he reflects. “The teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I was older. I would reply, 'an artist' and the teacher would be like, 'why don't you
think about being a fireman?' “From a kid, I knew what was going to happen, that's why selfbelief is so important. You must believe in you before anyone else does.” On his own merit (with a dash of self-belief, obviously), FunnyTummy has built a highly sought-after portfolio of work, a celebrity clientele and cult following among many other notable plaudits. Back in 2012, pop princess Rihanna reached out to the artist after his portrait of her, inspired by a Vogue photoshoot, was brought to her attention on Twitter. After falling in love with FunnyTummy's version of the iconic image, which shows her bright red locks against a contrasting green background, the singer asked her fans, ‘The Navy,' “Who painted this?” Within minutes, she had her answer. The following day,
FunnyTummy hand delivered the original acrylic work to the What Now singer's hotel suite in London. “That was a cool experience,” FunnyTummy says casually. “I don't really view people as celebrities. To me, if you're on TV, it doesn't make a difference to me, it's all about how you behave. Rihanna is a really, really nice person and that's all that matters to me. “I came [into the scene] doing work for Interscope Records and I also did a lot of work for [rapper] Cam'Ron and hip-hop collective, Dipset. It's not like I've just started being around a certain type of people. I've always done that.” And FunnyTummy is fast becoming a celebrity in his own right having been named 'best artist' by Vibe Magazine and recently hosting an exhibition at London's famed Royal Albert Hall. It's also apt to note here that Young Voices also listed him and his girlfriend Letitia Hector, the star of hit online series Venus Vs Mars, as one of our favourite celebrity couples. Does he mind the 'celebrity' term and the subsequent intrusion into his private life? “It's a bit weird,” he says. “Because everything is a little backwards. I've always been around people who are famous or well-known so [the transition]
has been kind of seamless. “And in regards to my relationship, I don't really mind at all. It's not like it's any of my personal business, and even if it was, I don't have anything weird out there. Thanks for considering us,” he laughs. But as far as his focus is concerned, nothing is going to take the artist away from his goal of worldwide domination. Having just released his self-published debut book See It Deh, a Caribbean take on the term, 'there it is' (which he refuses to recite to me in his West Midlands accent), he also has visions of creating his own furniture line. “Anytime I do something big, I always think about the next step. It's like when [music] artists have really big
hit singles, I know they're thinking, ‘damn, this is a big single, what's the next one going to be?’ I know I can always outdo myself. I don't really feel any pressure at all,” he says. Today, the artist's exhibition launches in London's Roundhouse and will be accompanied by an EP created by his “favourite” producer S-X (Lil Wayne, T.I). “It’s basically the audio version of the visual paintings,” he says. In rounding up, he adds: “It's important for me to not only inspire the next generation, but help out. That's important to me.” For more information, visit www.funnytummyart.com or follow @FunnyTummy on Twitter
LIL KIM:
KANYE WEST:
The US rapper celebrated the 10th anniversary of his debut album The College Dropout last week
The female ‘rapstress ’ made the shock announcement that she is expecting her first child
BUFF OR BUSTED?
Dear Kat,
My Dad won’t let me go on holiday with my friends to Ibiza in August. I am not a wild girl who just does dumb things, I am 17 now and I think that he is being a control freak. I am paying for the ticket and hotel, I have not even asked him for spending money. I am hoping he changes his mind but I need a plan asap. Chelsea, 17
Hi Chelsea, Dads will go to the ends of the earth to protect their daughters. I don't even for a second think he doesn't trust you. What he has trouble trusting is the intentions of everyone else out there. Personally, I think you should be a little older, maybe 19 or even 20 to go out there. Many adult themes can present themselves to you on the island and I think that’s what your dad is afraid of. However, if you are set on going, I think it would be a good idea for you to sit down and speak with your dad and show him that he can trust you. Reassure his spirit, as he will not rest easy until you are home safely. Promise to text him everyday and update him and as much as possible and video message him where you can too. But whatever you do, don't fall into the trap of going against his word. Tell him he has brought up an amazing daughter would ask him to think on it again for you. Stay safe ‘til next time!
MISA HYLTON-BRIM:
The mother of P Diddy ’s eldest son had her New York home foreclosed on by the bank
BUFF
BUFF
CHIWETEL E Dapper
JIOFOR:
A UK DJ allegedly claimed he turned down the chance to work with the singer after she pursued him like an obsessed fan
TWEET OF THE WEEK After performing for Prince William and a host of famous faces at this year ’s BAFTA awards, UK rapper Tinie Tempah surfaced on Twitter the following day, simply tweeting:
LUPITA NYO
Stunning
ALEXANDRA BURKE:
NG’O:
“Hungover. ” Tinie Tempah
THE VOICE FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014 ! 25
FUNNYTUMMY’S WALL OF FAME
The UK artist has created quite a notable celebrity following with his signature style and award-winning skill. Here, we list the art maestro’s much sought-after celebrity portfolio
WRETCH 32 UK rapper Wretch 32, who is signed to the same management company as FunnyTummy, was immortalised by the artist
AMBER ROSE A clean-shaven piece of model Amber Rose was added to his portfolio in 2010
JAY Z The rap mogul is one of FunnyTummy’s favourite music artists. Here, he becomes one of his works of art too
SKEPTA His portrait of UK rapper Skepta racked up over 500 likes on Instagram
ANGEL FunnyTummy provided the artwork for UK singer Angel’s debut album
ED SHEERAN He also put his spin on the cover of singer Ed Sheeran’s No.1 album + - Sheeran later purchased this piece
KANYE WEST We wonder what outspoken rapper Kanye West would make of this portrait – we find it hard to fault
RIHANNA FunnyTummy says this portrait of Rihanna is his favourite. The Bajan singer later bought this for her own collection
BEYONCÉ This is FunnyTummy’s “second favouriteâ€? piece. He took his inspiration from an image posted on BeyoncÊ’s Tumblr page
STOOSHE He captures the unique style and attitude of the UK trio
TINIE TEMPAH One of the artist’s biggest supporters is UK rapper Tinie Tempah. Here is his take on the cover of Tempah’s Foreign Object mixtape
WIZ KHALIFA The artist adds his signature style to a portrait of outlandish US rapper Wiz Khalifa
RICHIE CAMPBELL Tyrone, a character played by UK actor Richie Campbell in film Anuvahood, was immortalised by the artist
S.A.S FunnyTummy respected and applauded UK rap duo SAS for wanting art on their album cover
+DUROG .HQVLQJWRQ JESSICA ENNIS-HILL FunnyTummy captures gold medallist and heptathlete Jessica EnnisHill in action
RUN DMC The legendary rap group get a FunnyTummy makeover
HAROLD KENSINGTON, a former SFX student who went on to study at the London College of Fashion, is now working for rapper Kanye West as one of his top designers. “I came to SFX as it was one of the best,� he says. “Just before I graduated from London College of Fashion I secured an internship with fashion designer Holly Fulton. Next was New York for a design internship with [fashion designer] Diane Von Furstenberg, followed by an internship then a paid contract as a 3D assistant designer with [fashion house], Celine.
The day before his contract with [fashion house],Celine was due to end, Harold saw the Yeezus rapper at a fashion show where he was showcasing his female collection and decided to take his chances. “I approached Kanye and quickly told him about my work,� he explains. “Within half an hour I was invited to an interview with him the next day [and] offered a job and then flown to Milan to meet the team! “I’m now designing parts of the Winter 2014 Collection. It’s a very exciting job!�
www.sfx.ac.uk
MUHAMMAD ALI The artist tried a new technique for a portrait of legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali
MALAIKA FIRTH
26 ! THE VOICE FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2014
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