#46: Micro-Interview w/ Mukama Madoshi
By Bilal Bikile
It’s right around midnight as Bilal Bikile (San Diego) sits in his office, immersed in preparations for Mukama Madoshi’s solo exhibition at the newly opened Deixis Gallery. As he scrolls through an endless task list, his gaze settles on a note scrawled in the middle of his yellow legal pad: “Mukama’s Interview.” With the opening just days away, he swiftly composes a message to Mukama Madoshi (Los Angeles), sending over the questions in hopes of a prompt reply. Mere hours later, the answers arrive—just in time.
The Q&A below offers just a glimpse into weeks of insightful conversations, meetings, laughter, and revelations between Madoshi and Bikile. However, note that you, too, may have your own conversation with Madoshi this Friday night, March 7th, from 6-9 PM at the opening of “Genesis”, presented by Deixis Gallery.
What do people call you?
The Dolphin in the Lake
The Leaf that Dodged the Rake
Coconut Milk Marauder
Mr Avocado Slaughter
Topo Chico Bandit
Right, not Left-Handed
The list goes on.
What’s the story behind your artist name? Fresh Breakfast Muk Dipped in Butter Lookin’ Like Light. It’s memorable and fits perfectly, that’s for sure.
That’s a rabbit hole for another day. The universe gave it to me in 3 parts. I was just like, “Okay, cool.” Then the meaning came after, as it always does.
Tell me about your love for San Francisco.
Old-world charm and glamour sitting on the Pacific Gold Coast. What’s not to love?
I see something new every time I step foot inside. A beautiful place, much older than we think.
Walk us through a perfect day in the life of Muk living in SF.
Run ocean beach
Freezing cold plunge in ocean beach
Brunch at the Rotunda
Say what’s up to Walter in Neiman Marcus
High tea at the palace hotel
Walkabout
Walk about some more
Ride Cable cars
Buy gifts for mom
Pizza at Tonys
Walk some more
Dinner at the Palm Court
Sit around the fire to end the night
What’s your obsession with fire?
Takes two to tango. It’s mutual. I am loved by fire as well. It’s beautiful, it’s unwavering, it’s unpredictable. Not for everyone, but it courses through me.
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
Zanzibar. You can walk half a mile out into the ocean and still only be ankle-deep in water. Floating bars. Portuguese and Arabic forts. Spice farms and rainforest. Dolphins. Super sick piece of history. My brother and I, grown men, played like kids on the beach as the tourists watched on.
Best meal you’ve ever had?
Can’t have normies blowing up the spot,so I’ll keep this one between us.
Can you put us on to one of your juice/smoothie recipes? I know you be blending up a storm.
Alright, but keep this on the hush.
Papaya
Blackberry
Strawberry juice.
The density of the papaya juice makes it so that it doesn’t mix immediately. It causes it to look like a potion out of a Harry Potter movie.
Avocado
Banana
Peanut butter
Coconut milk for the smoothie.
If you let the bananas get ripe enough, no need for honey.
Best grocery store?
Farm stands in the middle of nowhere.
Why is being multidisciplinary important to you? Is it something that comes naturally?
The basic tenet of my life is learning. There’s no way I can stop at one thing. I couldn’t if I wanted to. The universe wants me to run amuck, and I don’t plan to disappoint it.
When did it click that you needed to be artist?
Kind of the same as the above. My job is to push and explore. The more I push, the closer to God I become, which is a benefit to us all. But that isn’t exactly what you think it sounds like.
Fill in the blank. “Muk you’ll make a good ____”
Lawyer. Husband. But I’ll leave the lawyering to my sister, the husbanding to the homies. I’m God’s very special tool.
How long has this body of paintings been ruminating about your conscience?
What’s in the dark always comes to light.
What is something you wish for people to take from Genesis?
Darkness is very good. It begets the light, after all.
Share some of your favorite movies.
The Departed
Avatar
Avatar 2
City of God
Fast and Furious
Favorite natural terrain?
Me and the ocean are pretty tight. It haunts me, but we’re tight. The forest is sick. Plains are also sick. Volcanoes are cool. Lands End in San Francisco comes to mind as a Favorite. (Forest meets Ocean)
Most impactful book(s) you’ve read.
Candide, by Voltaire
Micromégas, by Voltaire
A few others I neglect to mention for good reason.
You, like myself, are a Brazilian music/Bossa Nova buff. What do you appreciate about the genre/culture?
Naturally musical. Brazilian Portuguese is so emotive and infectious. The bag is very very deep. I’ve been in that rabbit hole for close to 3 years now.
Can you share a fun fact about your home country, Tanzania, that people may not know?
It’s huge. More than 3 times the size of my dearly beloved California.
Mukama Madoshi’s “Genesis” opens on Friday, March 7, 2025.
The opening reception will take place from 6-9 PM iA. Please join us.
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