Paul Lewin’s piercing women portraits have a story to tell. Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1973, Lewin recalls listening to his father’s stories and mythologies from a young age. “I loved listening to his stories of the old country in Jamaica while we worked,” he writes on his website. “He also taught me a lot about ancient societies, science, and history.”
Lewin’s artistic creation was a way of preserving his family’s stories and traditions. But while the passion for storytelling was always there, over the years his medium of choice changed. First using pencil and paper, Lewin would later turn to graffiti which would finally lead him to painting — his chosen practice these days.
“Art has been a part of my life from as far back as I can remember,” he says. Having moved to the US with his family in 1977, Lewin is now based in Oakland, CA, though his art is still very much in dialogue with African folklore. “Each piece has its own story to tell and for different viewers,” he notes, adding that “the story might change. I try not to interfere too much with that process. I try to let each piece evolve on its own.”
“I’m not always sure of the meaning behind each piece, but I’m also not too concerned about that either,” he admits. “I’m more into the process of creating. I love getting lost in the details. It can be very similar to meditation. I love the concept of the artist as the conduit. Transcribing visions onto a canvas.”
Take a look at some of his striking portraits in the gallery below:
