A 29-year-old artist is on a mission to find the mysterious stranger who unknowingly became the subject of her latest artwork near England's iconic Humber Bridge. Emma Prempeh encountered the unidentified man while seeking creative inspiration during a walk along the Hessle foreshore in May, and now hopes to reconnect with him to share the finished masterpiece.
During her creative walk, Prempeh came across a man using a walker who appeared "really serene" against the backdrop of the Humber Bridge. Struck by what she described as "the perfect image," the artist approached the stranger and asked permission to photograph him for her artwork. While the man agreed to be photographed, Prempeh failed to get his contact information, a decision she now deeply regrets.
"I keep thinking 'why didn't I get his name?' I wish I could locate him. To me it would mean a lot," Prempeh explained. The artist expressed her strong desire to meet her unexpected muse again, both to express her gratitude and to show him how his image was transformed into art. After completing the artwork, she found it "weird" not knowing the identity of her subject.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Prempeh reflected on the significance of the anonymous man's contribution to her work. "You're immortalized in a way and it will live forever, and there's a beauty in that," she said, describing how the stranger's image has become a permanent part of artistic history through her painting.
The painting featuring the mystery man is part of Prempeh's latest exhibition titled "The Nearness of Elsewhere." This collection draws inspiration from her African-Caribbean heritage while also incorporating her recent experiences living in Hull. The artist's work typically explores themes of home, identity, and memory, making this chance encounter with a stranger particularly meaningful to her artistic journey.
Prempeh's exhibition is currently on display at the 87 Gallery located on Princes Avenue, where visitors can view the painting of the mystery man alongside her other works. The exhibition will remain open to the public until December 19, giving the unknown subject ample opportunity to potentially discover his artistic immortalization and reconnect with the artist who was so moved by his peaceful presence near the Humber Bridge.
