Think Canary Wharf and your brain is more likely to go to cutthroat bankers than young creatives. But just around the corner from that sea of suits is a space that will next week host a group show by three emerging artists working at the intersection of tradition and innovation.

For one week only, SCREW is exhibiting the work of Hetty Douglas, Joe Clarke (who has also curated the exhibition) and Alfie Kungu, three exciting creatives who are all challenging conventional methods of painting and making. Each artist has curated a new selection of works for the show, which will include 3D sculptural pieces and moving image, demonstrating their singular aesthetics that are equally powerful alone as they are when shown together.

We’re speaking with each of the three in the lead up to the show. Up last is Alfie Kungu, a fine artist based in Bristol who was selected for emerging artist platform New Contemporaries this year. Alfie’s works are bright and playful, his childhood figurative characters realised with classical painting techniques. Familiar cultural motifs are set against contrasting textures and fearless colours, coming together as a vivid expression of Kungu’s headspace.

Tempe: In a few words, how would you describe your art?
Alfie: Playful, textural and bold. Currently I’m interested in the relationship between the textures of the piece and how the colour relates with it.

Tempe: What attracted you to being involved in this group exhibition? 
Alfie: It’s a great opportunity to work with Joe and Hetty – both of their work inspires mine and it’s exciting seeing how our styles compliment each other.

Tempe: Your pieces are really vibrant and a lot of them feel quite positive or happy, do they often reflect the mood you’re in when you’re making them, or are they more planned than that?
Alfie: Yeah, I really enjoy time in my studio and painting so I guess that comes across in the work I make, I’m also working on some more considered work but this takes longer to make and I’m impatient when it comes to painting.

“I really enjoy time in my studio and painting so guess that comes through in the work I make.”

Tempe: Your series ‘Legs’ is awesome! Can you tell me a bit about it? 
Alfie: Thanks! They started out as simple experiments on canvas but I didn’t like how they looked on the wall. I was interested in different approaches to exhibiting and so decided to make standing paintings, I wanted to create a ‘crowd’ of legs so I made loads of them, happily the works individualise too.

Tempe: Do you remember when you decided you wanted to be an artist?
Alfie: I never decided but have always been really into painting because my dad is a painter.

Tempe: Could you share a career highlight that stands out as a major moment or experience for you so far?
Alfie: Being selected as a 2016 New Contemporary. I’m extremely grateful and feel privileged that my work is being appreciated, it feels great because making my work is what I enjoy most.

“Support for the arts is crucial because it provides a means for people to express themselves in an education system that doesn’t always cater to creative people’s needs.”

Tempe: What do you like about being based in Bristol? Are you originally from there?
Alfie: I’m originally from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire but moved to Bristol for university, it’s a great place to live and I have been granted a year’s free residency at Spike Island so I’m happy being in the position to continue making my work with no restraints. Things are good.

Tempe: How important do you think art is to the general health of society?
Alfie: I think its extremely important to support the art scene – being able to access art and bringing support to those who make work, whatever that may be, is crucial because it provides a means for people to express themselves in an education system that doesn’t always cater to creative people’s needs.

Screw runs from 15th December at Republic Gallery, East India Dock, 1 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BE

For more on Alfie Kungu head to his website.