KEKELI
“I want my paintings to be not just for decorative purposes alone, but something that provokes thoughts and discussions and as a souvenir for African thought.”
I am a Ghanaian born (Dad is a Voltarian and Mum is Ga) versatile and prolific contemporary artist. My mum was a single parent bcos dad passed very early. I had to do part-time jobs including evening classes to pave my way through.
Painting has been a hobby from childhood, a talent,but I was told to focus on school and pay more attention to the teachers. I was usually caught in class drawing, then the teachers would tear up my drawing piece, labeling me the 'the playful/ not serious type.
At home I was only allowed to draw when I was done with homework and reading notes, you must not be seen drawing always.
I did so well in school before I went to senior high I had to take pure science as a course as I was told art students are not valued. All the same I spent three years studying science and came out awaiting my results and that was when destiny had to speak loud! While I was working part time I would carry my small drawing book along. One day a man stepped by to make a call at my joint and upon seeing my drawings he quickly asked for direction to my house. Some few days later, he was at our compound and he advised my mum to allow me go to the art school to polish up because one can always be a nurse anytime.
I found myself in an art school then one of Ghana's best. I am a product of Ghanatta College of Art and Design, where I underwent a three year diploma course in fine art and majored in Painting and Textile Print and Design.
Later I decided to explore diverse styles of painting, dabbling in impressionism and realism. As I moved through different scopes of art and timeless experiments, I developed a keen interest in the subtle forms of boats and flamenco dancers. Besides these two subjects, I also paint cultural themes that are very impacting in the story or the forms in them, using basically brushes and palette knives occasionally. As modern life styles engulf all the regions of our country, many of these cultural relics are being lost. It is imperative to capture some of these interesting images in my own expressions of colour.
My desire is to have my artworks in the homes of many due to the captivating themes behind my paintings. I want my paintings to be not just for decorative purposes alone, but something that provokes thoughts and discussions and as a souvenir for African thought.