Bella Mfon’s paintings are like doors to different but connected worlds. In this conversation with Moveee, she shares how her colours and brushstrokes are an avenue to share her deepest feelings and thoughts. She reflects on her journey, struggles, and her hope and healing process. She uses her creativity to open up about mental health, vulnerability, and strength. She also uses it to remind every struggling person of hope, and courage, and that we are not alone.
Haneefah: How did you start as an artist?
Bella: I started my journey as an artist about five years ago. It was a very personal and intuitive beginning; I’m a self-taught abstract visual artist, and creating art became a way for me to process emotions and thoughts I couldn’t express verbally. It started as a therapeutic outlet during a challenging period in my life, and over time, it evolved into a full-blown passion and purpose. I found myself gravitating toward textures and acrylics, using them to explore themes like light and darkness, mental well-being, and the struggles we often face but find difficult to talk about. Art became my voice, and now, it’s my way of connecting with others who may feel broken, abandoned, or unseen.
Haneefah: One of the most vulnerable and strongest moments for an artist is when they hold the brush. When was the most vulnerable time you’ve held a brush to paint?
Bella: One of the most vulnerable times was while creating my painting Intrepidity. At the time, I was feeling uncertain and emotionally stretched, and I wasn’t sure how to process everything I was experiencing. Sitting in front of the canvas, I didn’t have a clear plan, I just knew I needed to paint.
As the piece started to take shape, it became a quiet reminder to myself about courage and moving forward, even when things felt unclear. I used bold textures and strong colours to represent inner strength, but the process itself was quite reflective. Intrepidity ended up becoming more than just a painting, it was a personal moment of growth. Looking back, it taught me that vulnerability doesn’t have to be loud; sometimes it shows up in the quiet act of showing up and creating anyway.
Haneefah: Which of your pieces of art is the most personal to you?
Bella: One of the most personal pieces of art I’ve created is Transcendence. It holds a special place for me because it reflects a period of quiet self-discovery and the decision to keep moving forward despite fear and uncertainty. The textures, colours, and overall composition all carry layers of meaning that go beyond aesthetics; they represent resilience, which is something I was learning to embrace at the time.
While all my works have a personal connection, Vortex is another piece that stands out because it wasn’t just about creating something visually appealing; it was about being honest with myself. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come emotionally, and how art continues to help me understand and express things I can’t always put into words.
Haneefah: There are different methods of painting. Why did you settle on acrylic and texture?
Bella: I was drawn to acrylic and texture because of the freedom they give me to express emotions in a very tactile and layered way. Acrylics dry quickly, which allows me to work intuitively and build up layers without losing momentum. That’s important for me, especially since a lot of my process is emotion-driven; I like being able to respond to how I’m feeling in the moment without overthinking.
As for texture, it adds depth, both visually and emotionally. I use it to represent the layers we all carry within us: memories, experiences, and even the parts we try to hide. There’s something grounding about working with materials that you can physically build up, shape, or even scrape back. It mirrors how healing and growth happen in real life, not all at once, but bit by bit.
Over time, acrylics and texture have become a natural language for me to tell stories and connect with others on a deeper level.
Haneefah: you are to explore other methods of painting. Which would they be?
Bella: If I were to explore other methods of painting or creating, I’d love to delve into sculpting. Lately, I’ve been growing more curious about how form, space, and physical structure can carry emotion and meaning, similar to what I try to do with texture on canvas, but in a more three-dimensional way.
Sculpting feels like a natural extension of my interest in layers and depth. I’m drawn to the idea of working with materials that can be shaped by hand and hold a kind of presence in space. It opens up new possibilities for storytelling, especially around the themes I often explore, like healing, identity, and inner strength.
I’m also open to trying mixed media and experimenting more with materials that challenge my usual process. I think stepping outside my comfort zone helps me grow not just as an artist, but as a person.
Haneefah: How do you see your art and advocacy intersecting with broad social conversations around mental health, and what impact do you hope to make through your work?
Bella: For me, art and advocacy go hand in hand, especially when it comes to mental health. My creative process is rooted in expressing emotions that are often difficult to talk about openly, and I believe that visual art has the power to start conversations where words sometimes fall short. Through my work, I try to create pieces that speak to feelings of loneliness, brokenness, or uncertainty, things many people experience but often feel alone in.
By being honest in my art, I hope to create safe spaces for reflection, connection, and healing. I want people to look at my work and feel seen, or at the very least, feel less alone. Mental health is still a sensitive topic in many parts of society, including here in Nigeria, and I see my art as a gentle but powerful way to normalise those conversations, especially among young people and communities that often don’t have access to support.
Ultimately, I hope my work encourages others to explore their own emotions and be more open about their mental well-being. If one piece of art can spark a conversation, offer comfort, or inspire someone to reach out for help, then I know I’m on the right path
Haneefah: What impact do you hope to make through your work?
Bella: Through my work, I hope to create art that resonates deeply with people, art that feels relatable and honest. I want to offer a sense of connection to anyone who feels broken, lonely, or unseen. My goal is to encourage viewers to
look inward, reflect on their own experiences, and find strength in their vulnerability.
Beyond just the emotional impact, I hope my art can contribute to breaking down the stigma around mental health, especially in communities where it’s still taboo to talk about feelings openly. Ultimately, I want my work to be a source of comfort and inspiration, helping people understand that they’re not alone in their struggles and that healing is possible.
In the long term, I also hope to use my platform to support young people, particularly children, by teaching art as a form of expression and therapy through a foundation I plan to establish. This way, the impact of my work can extend beyond galleries and reach those who need it most.
