Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1544635
How many artists can boast of a Walmart collab and call the Oscars a client. Who among University of Houston grads lands an Adobe Creative Residency. And who needs Artnews clips when you've got clients such as AT&T, Facebook, HarperCollins, Peloton, Twitter, and Apple. This is Temi Coker's CV. Apple tapped Coker for a Creative Projects Episode touting the brand's graphic package for iPads, Procreate Brush, one version inspired by Coker's own unmistakable highly keyed style and Matisse-like color palette. For the uninitiated, the artist's aesthetic presents a captivating digitally collaged mashup somewhere between photography and painting, conjuring bold, graphically dazzling portraits of Black protagonists who appear to be backlit by neon strobe lights. Coker embodies the best of the American dream: when the road is open, the talent there, and the path — and vision — clear. Emigrating to Canada then the U.S. from Lagos, he and his family settled in Dallas when he was 11. The year was 2004: His first creative outlet was playing keyboard in his minister father's church. College at the University of Houston followed, Class of 2014, where Coker bucked his parents' wishes by forsaking a planned biomedical engineering degree to dive into digital media. Returning to Dallas post-graduation, he landed a gig at his former high school, teaching photography and design. His life with a day job ended in 2018 when he was awarded a coveted Adobe Creative Residency to pursue graphic design/ photography. Since, Coker has become a poster talent for the success of the Adobe Ad campaigns for buzzy global clients, sold-out art editions, a pop-powered fashion line, and a new home collection for a big-box realtor — it's a good time to be Temi Coker. Catherine D. Anspon catches up with the Nigerian-born, Oak Cliff-based talent, who's known nationally but off the radar in his adopted hometown. Portrait James Kung. Lagos to Dallas: Inside the Creative Kingdom of Temi Coker Temi Coker