ARTIST STATEMENT

During my childhood in Sunyani, Ghana's Bono Region capital city, I observed the challenges of individuals navigating street life. My parents owned a small thrift store selling second-hand clothing, and as I grew older, I started helping my father with his street business. Through this experience, I realized that Ghanaian society does not hold street people in high regard despite the hard work these individuals put into making a living.

Therefore, I aim to convey dignity and respect for my subjects through mixed-media portraits, text paintings, and drawings on canvas and paper using lightfast acrylic paint, charcoal, gold leaf, and Ankara fabric. My pieces showcase intricate details alongside vibrant colors and patterns, and the accompanying text paintings share the autobiographical stories of each figure. Beyond that, my landscape drawings depict the hustle and bustle of urban spaces, traffic flow, and movement of goods on the city streets of Ghana to commemorate and inspire conversations about the marginalized areas where street people engage in activities.

My art seeks to restore a sense of pride among underprivileged individuals in my home country and stimulate conversations about societal marginalization in the places where I show them. I aim for my work to inspire society to see marginalized people in a new light, fostering a renewed appreciation for their struggles and aspirations. Consequently, my efforts serve to underscore a sense of urgency and advocate for meaningful social reform.