I Am African And I Can: Alphajo Jallow

21-Year-Old Turns Trash Into Art

To the average person, trash is unusable and frowned upon. To Alphajo Jallow, trash can be turned into art. At 21, the Gambian-born can turn just about any trash-like object into a usable and glorified work of art.

Once upon a time, in The Gambia, Jallow was unmindful of his niche until he met a woman who reassured to him that his calling in life was to be an artist.

Her name? Icha Fofana, an artist. She's the woman, who to this day, Jallow praises for having given him the opportunity to discover a raw talent which had long been drilled in the palm of his hand.

"Have you ever painted?" the woman asked Jallow one day while he paid visit to her. Jallow couldn't help but to gaze at the beautiful paintings that she hung on her walls.

"How can I do this? I can never be [her] level," 16-year-old Jallow pondered.

All he needed in order to initiate a bold move, was to hear echoes of the woman's motivational words. Not worried about messing up or how it would turn out, he grabbed a brush and painted. He kept painting ever since.

In 2010, Jallow moved to America --where he found professional networks that became his wagon to success.

Throughout 2010, he did not paint religiously, but when 2011 came knocking on his door, so did opportunities.The painting he once thought was "horrible," sold at $2000 US Dollars when he held one of his earliest exhibitions in New York.

Who would've thought that the painting Jallow composed on that pivotal day at his mentor's home, in The Gambia, was going to --in less than four years-- be worth two grand? His first painting earned him his first big pay.

Usually, after we finish drinking from a disposable cup or eating from a disposable plate, where does it most likely end up? In the dumpster. After Jallow is done using a disposable cup or plate, he doesn't throw it away. It ends up on his canvas. "I make beauty out of trash," said the artist.

Using recycles in his work became his style because, although he loved and admired African art, he felt that they were "flat" in texture.

He, then, began using vibrant colors that were pleasing to the eye, and recycle items that gave the painting a 3-dimensional feel.

"I am like an activist," Jallow said. "I like to see change."

He unerringly believes that African artists should try new things, challenge themselves while still preserving their values.

"Art is a mood of expression that begs, creates or provokes thoughts in my audience's mind," Jallow uttered with passion.

His art challenges and expands his audience's imagination, whereby helping them see art from a different lens each time they come in contact with his creation. Peace, integrity and activism are messages Jallow hopes that his audience will draw from his work.

"You cannot put me in an art class, I would go to sleep," the young artist said with a chuckle.

He doesn't like to be put in a cage, period. He is freer than a bird, and trusts that his imagination will guide him to a world where creativity is abundant.

A free imagination, stern posture and a powerful voice that moves people; he is an influence-wrangler.

'Mr. President, Mr. President, Mr.President,' is all you'll hear people call Jallow when you spend a day with him. He is indeed the president of not only his art, but also president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at his school, Guttman Community College (GCC).

He is also the Vice Chair for International Student Affairs (ISA) at the University Student Senate (USS), and College Assistant at Guttman Through the Lens of Art Project at the City University of New York.

Economic policy/developmental policy are another passion of his.

Years from now, "you'll see me as an economist who is a painter, and I'm going to be out there helping people," Summarized Jallow. "That's me!"

A Glimpse of Jallow's World

"Every mistake is another creation."-Jallow

"My community has been my greatest source of energy."-Jallow

Title: The Phases of Women

Through these 5 faces, Jallow shows that women across the globe go through phases in life, but they all face the same struggles

"Art is a mood of expression that begs, creates or provokes thoughts in my audience's mind."-Jallow

Title: In the Neighborhood

This piece is an example of trash turned into beauty

It was Jallow's first time focusing on food

It celebrates cuisine in the neighborhood

"If you kill me today, my message is still in there."-Jallow

Title: The Expectant Mom

Notice, there is a baby inside a woman's womb

Jallow wanted to show that even though we live in a tough world, our mothers have always put on a tough face for us, just so that we can live a good life

Jallow's First Exhibition

NOTE: The event was held on Nov. 9 to Dec. 2, 2012, not Nov. 9 to Dec.2, 2013

This was Jallow's most talked about painting

He had done 15 paintings below this one and felt frustrated

But, kept trying because he wanted to know this vital question, "what is art?"

Title: Backbiting

There are 5 faces on this piece. Notice, the upper 3 have an open mouth and the ones below have a closed mouth. Jallow wanted to show that in the society we live in, there are always people talking behind our backs. And those that gossip (open mouth) always outnumber those that are quiet (closed mouth)

Title: The Clock

"In essence, it's the busy rush hours we always face as New Yorkers. The city is constantly on the run. Time is money."-Jallow

Title: Flower

"You're human," Jallow said to himself. "Do something human."

Title: The Peacock

When Jallow moved to New York, he was amazed by the skyscrapers and would always go to the city to look at them (the peacock represents Jallow)

Although he was in a new world and felt vulnerable, he remained optimistic about what awaited him

Title: Guttman Community College

When Jallow's new school was built, in 2013, he did this piece to portray the birth of a new idea rushing into the city

Title: Skyline of Manhattan

These are different variations of the city

In this piece, Jallow shows the beauty of New York City, but also points out that below this city, there is a lot of dirt --the subway stations (he used shredded paper as a symbol of dirt)