ARTISTS
Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali, a Ghanaian visual artist born in 1997, delves into the realities faced by African women living within a patriarchal society. Having grown up in a strict Muslim household as the eldest daughter, Hawa experienced the weight of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to traditional norms. Despite initial resistance, her exposure to the visual art domain and the guidance of supportive mentors ignited her latent passion, empowering her to break free from imposed expectations. Hawa's artistic exploration is deeply rooted in the intricate tapestry of her environment, serving as an anthem of liberation that portrays women adorned in suits. Dedicated to extensive research, experiments, and ceaseless artistic exploration, she navigates the delicate balance between tradition and liberation within the sacred intimacy and complexities of home.
Abdur Rahman Muhammad (Ghanaian, b. 1992) is a contemporary artist who works and resides in Accra. He has been a practicing artist for over six years. His works are usually influenced by the culture of western music, especially hip-hop and its effect on the youth of Ghana. He is a member of the Ghanaian art collective, Artemartis. His works have found their way to collectors and exhibitions all over the world. He applies oil in his works, and he focuses on stories of the youth in his community, often experienced first-hand.
Courage Hunke (Ghanaian, b. 2000) is a visionary artist whose work bridges the realms of consumer culture and the profound ephemerality of existence. With an unyielding passion for redefining the boundaries of art, Courage explores unconventional mediums to convey messages of beauty, sustainability, and memory. At the core of Courage's art lies the innovative process of fusing paper with repurposed merchandise plastic bags through heat-pressing. This unique technique transforms everyday objects into imprints of life experiences and memories. Courage's art pieces are not merely reflections of aesthetics; they represent the transient nature of existence, echoing the wisdom found in the natural world, where time and space constantly evolve, serving as profound meditations on the choices of consumers and the collective responsibility we bear for the environment. In a world dominated by disposability, his work offers a powerful counternarrative, calling on viewers to reflect on their habits, cherishing the beauty and the teachings of nature.
Emmanuel Kwaku Yaro (Ghanaian, b. 1995) is a contemporary artist who resides in Labadi, Accra. He has been a practicing artist for over six years and has a number of group exhibitions to his name, working with notable institutions including Alliance Française d’Accra. Yaro has also had a solo exhibition in the African Regent Hotel in Accra which also resulted in growth in the interest in his works, both locally and internationally. He has also been involved in a number of group exhibitions with Pearl Lam Gallery in Hong Kong, Efie Gallery in Dubai and Phillips Auction House in London. He is a member of the Artemartis collective in Accra. Inspired by a range of artists like Georges Seurat, Marie-Guillemine Benoist and Sami Bentil, Yaro‘s research and development practices go beyond the limitation of his five senses, and his works are a testament to his passion for detail.
James Mishio, (b.1997) is a mixed media artist of the Ghanaian contemporary art scene who lives and works in Accra. His experimentation with various forms of media and materials and sensitive exploration of the humanity of his subjects fuels his work. He uses Impasto with a palette knife, applying Oil, Acrylic, Pastel, and Fabric on canvas to create his works. His use of oil for the skin of his subject emphasizes the richness and wealth of the African individual and the history their skin holds. His employment of used or second-hand clothes connotes the idea of ‘life after death’, meaning extending the lifespan of the material beyond its functionality. His works have reachedprivate collections, a notable exhibition titled ‘Bird of A Feather’ by Phillips Auction House and Artemartis, and galleries such as the Coningsby Gallery, in London. With over 6 years of painting and growing as an artist, he aims to focus on communication and transformation among people. He is involved in portraiture and figurative work, and his current work focuses on the topic of perception and its fluctuations, together with the vacillations and mysteries surrounding it.