Arts View

Mar 2025 – May 2025

Malick Tobb: Mixed Media Artist

Old Jehwang,, The Gambia

Malick Tobb is a passionate young mixed media artist and a dedicated mathematics and science teacher by profession from the northwestern part of Africa, The Gambia. He Obtained an Advanced Diploma in Education from the Gambia College School of Education.

His artistic journey began at a young age where his prodigious talent shone through various mediums. With a unique creative flair, Malick has embraced his individuality, exploring the realms of performing arts, visual arts, and fashion. His experiences have taught him the value of time and the “here today gone tommorow” nature of moments, driving him to create art that captures memories and preserves the essence of who we are.

Through his art, Malick aims to inspire resilience in others, offering a source of courage and a reminder to appreciate both the past and present as we navigate an uncertain future. He believes that art has the power to evoke emotions and motivate individuals to remain steadfast. Each piece serves as a reflection of life’s joys and challenges, encouraging people to see the beauty in their experiences. Additionally, Malick uses his art to highlight societal issues and propose ways to foster improvement, making his work not only a personal expression but also a catalyst for positive change in his community.

AGN; How challenging do you find it to produce art as well as work as a maths and science teacher?

MT; It’s definitely a balancing act and challenging. I need to be very organized and dedicated to manage both my artistic pursuits and teaching career and of course other activities. I need to find time for it all, which at times means sacrificing some free time in order to find a way to make it work.

AGN; Would you prefer to give up teaching to solely pursue your artistic career or do you feel compelled to do both?

MT; I find teaching and art very interesting as both enable me to learn and grow in different ways. It’s really fascinating that I can use my art to inspire others and connect with them on a deeper level. However, my true passion lies in art so I would solely prefer to persue an arts career and explore what it can offer me.

AGN; Currently, classified as a low income country by the World Bank and with an estimated population size of less than 3 million people at present, your countries internal market is comparatively smaller than most in Africa; where do most of the people who buy your work come from and how do you market to them?

MT; My customers come from my neighboring community and friends, and I market my products through one to one interaction but also benefit from referrals. It’s really not a big network for me as of now.

AGN; Your experiences have taught you the value of time and this is reflected in your work. What key experience underscored the value of time to you?

MT; One thing for sure is that time is a finite resource. We all have a limited amount of it; in our happiest and saddest moments simultaneously, and it’s important to make the most of it. One can learn from past mistakes and derive benefit from doing so.

Watching my parents shift from a once happy couple to divorce damaged something in me when I was 13 years of age which will forever remain as an unhealed scar.

AGN; You also use your work to highlight societal issues. What is the issue you are most passionate about drawing attention to at the moment and why do you feel so strongly about it?

MT; I am most passionate about drawing attention to the issue of agriculture; like green houses and climate smart techniques. I sometimes also feel driven to highlight cultural change.

The failure in our agricultural system is a crisis that threatens the future of our country. My engagement with it is part of a dominant theme in my drawings lately. I feel so strongly about it because it is a direct threat to our way of life, and we need to take action now to prevent irreversible damage.

AGN; You have also explored the realms of the performing arts and fashion. In what way did you do so in terms of projects or work you produced or were involved in?

MT; I have always been an open-minded kind of person. When I was younger I would involve myself in many things, but especially in fashion and the performing arts. I used to act in plays during my schools days and I also had an established tailoring shop from 2018 to 2023.

AGN; The creative process varies from person to person. Is there a particular process you mostly adhere to when creating new work or are you less rigid, instead allowing your work to develop more oganically?

MT; I am definitely more of a “flow with the motion” type of person. My imagination can be quite expansive, but my observation skills are stronger. I don’t really follow a strict process.

I usually start with an idea or a feeling; research about it and then let it go from there. Sometimes I’ll sketch out some ideas, other times I’ll just start working and see where it takes me. I think the most important thing is to be open to new possibilities and to let the work evolve naturally.

AGN; Which artist has mostly inspired and influenced you and why do you feel that is the case?

MT; Leonardo de Vinci. He resonates with my notion of an ideal type of a man. I want to be an artist, a mathematician and a creator, not only of paintings but of everyday items too and he inspires me in a lot of ways. One man packed with many capabilities. He was such an awesome person.

AGN; Kindly share insights about your upbringing, the environment you were raised in and how that may have influenced the things you focus on through your artistic output?

MT; I had a very normal childhood up to my early teens. I lived with my parents and brothers. Growing up as the youngest child I began to realize how easy I had it in acquiring my wants and needs. However, being a curious person I grew to appreciate, question and label everything around me.

I took an interest in almost everything and anything which led me to travel the length and breadth of my country, acquiring knowledge and experience about our culture, diversity, ethnicity and many other things.

The insights I am aware of need to be shared and amplified so that the issues we face can be reflelcted on and possible solutions found to the challenges we go through as a country.

AGN; What is the main challenge you face as an artist?

MT; The biggest challenge I face as an artist is finding the balance between expressing myself authentically and building a sustainable career. I want to create works that are true to my vision, but I also need to secure the resources and opportunities to make a living as an artist. It’s a delicate balance, but I think it’s essential to be a successful artist as well.

AGN; How do you like to unwind and spend you down time?

MT; I like to unwind by getting some exercise done alone, playing video games and spending time at the beach. I find that a good workout helps me to clear my head and relax, and there’s nothing better than feeling the sand between my toes and the ocean breeze on my face. I don’t know why but I just love my me time, alone with no disturbances…

AGN; What personal quality do people mainly associate you with e.g. honesty, dilgence etc and why do you think they say so?

MT; My friends would probably say I am an ambiguous person, a good listener, creative and weird at times. I try to stay as low key as possible, offering advice and support whenever I can.

AGN; What mostly makes you laugh and why do you feel you find such things so funny?

MT; I enjoy watching funny videos and reels especially those that feature babies and animals. I think it’s hilarious to see little babies doing such fascinating things without realizing it. Animals doing silly things. Such content always makes me bust into laughter.

AGN; If you were suddenly awareded a huge sum of money, which thing do you mostly desire and would buy?

MT; I would use it to open an art gallery or studio where I would love to be able to support artists and provide a space for them to showcase their work, exhibit and network with other likeminded individuals.

I think it would be incredibly rewarding to help others express themselves creatively. I would also use it to travel the world. I have always wanted to see different cultures and experience new things, and I think it would be amazing to be able to do that without having to worry about finances.

AGN; Is there anything you would like to add?

MT; I am always learning and growing so I am always open to new ideas and experiences. If you have any suggestions about things I could learn or do, I would appreciate that…

Previous ‘Arts View’ features are available here; archive

Editor:
Ri Iyovwaye

on behalf of African Global Networks (AGN) – Mar 2025