Angolan artist Serafim Yssolo Submitted photo

In honor of Black History month, “Life on Scraps,” an exhibition featuring Angolan visual artist Serafim Yssolo, formerly known as Serafim Serlon, will be on display beginning Friday, Feb. 23, at LA Arts in Lewiston. A rising talent in the world of Angolan contemporary art, this will be Yssolo’s first solo exhibit in the United States.

Serafim Yssolo Submitted photo

A reception for the exhibition will be held from 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

The exhibition will run through Friday, May 17.

Yssolo, a self-taught artist born in Moxico, a province of Angola in Africa, has developed a unique artistic identity deeply rooted in his early years as a graffiti artist. His works have been shown in solo and collective exhibitions in Africa and Portugal and have delighted viewers, gaining attention for their distinctive style and mixed media techniques, including oil and acrylic on layered canvas and the use of recycled materials. Harnessing multiple artistic expressions, Yssolo creates vibrant, engaging pieces that exude energy and joy. His evocative work and accompanying prose (presented in both English and Portuguese), captivates viewers and invites them to enjoy a rich art experience.

Since 1973, LA Arts, the arts agency for the cities of Lewiston and Auburn Maine, has pursued a mission to engage and inspire a vibrant community through arts and culture. The agency works with governments, businesses, schools and local arts and cultural organizations to create opportunities for community members across the generations to experience, learn, and participate in the arts. LA Arts organizes arts programs and initiatives, supports the work of local artists and arts organizations, and highlights the essential role the arts play in shaping an economically vital, socially integrated, and forward-looking future for its community. For more information, visit laarts.org.

LA Arts is located at 168 Lisbon St., Lewiston.

“Negritude,” by Serafim Yssolo Submitted photo