Nataal speaks to the Ghanaian artist about his solo show with Homecoming Gallery
Homecoming Gallery is a new online space that has risen out of a desire to make contemporary photography from all corners of the world visible to a new wave of art collectors. Amsterdam-based co-founder Karlijn Bozon explains: “The idea started with the many amazing portfolios I came across as head of photo at the agency Halal and realising that most people won’t naturally come across this work until it reaches iconic status and the price has set it up for the lucky few only. Whereas, if you can buy into an artist early, great art can be affordable, and you get to support an artist's practice at a defining moment in their careers.”
Alongside Nadine van Asbeck, who is also the editor-in-chief of Girls in Film, the duo aim to show a diverse roster of artists, in a troublingly unbalanced industry. “By being female ourselves, we’re naturally drawn to the female gaze and are conscious of the need for us women to have each other's backs. With Homecoming we aim to create an inclusive space to all, inviting in different viewpoints, experiences, tastes and styles other than our own,” says Bozon.
Homecoming invites industry experts to choose and curate each show and starts by asking them the simple question, ‘What artwork do you want to come home to?’. Their latest solo sees Holly Fraser, editorial lead at WePresent, present Ghanaian rising-star Derrick Ofosu Boateng. Titled School & Art, Boateng’s ultra-bright afropop portraits aim to inspire Ghana’s young generations to pursue and believe in the arts. Boateng has himself been recognised by Google and by rapper Common, who used one of the images in this show – of three boys playing trumpets against the bluest of skies - for the cover of his latest album, ‘A Beautiful Revolution’. Nataal catches up with the artist to hear about his journey.
How did you first come to pick up a camera?
My father is a clerk, my mom is a trader selling African clothes. My parents, like all parents, want the best for their kids and in Ghana this traditionally is translated to academic performance. Business administration was the logical choice for me so photography started as creative playtime with my friends next to my studies. My father, whom I’m forever grateful to, gave me his iPhone so that I could have photography as something for myself, amidst a large family. It’s only when I started posting it online and getting such positive responses that I realised photography could be more.
How did you develop your highly saturated colour palette?
For me photography is intuitive. It’s very much an expression of thoughts and feelings that occupy my mind, and the same goes for my use of colour. To others my colours may come across as very stark, as they’re so vivid and expressive. However, these are actually the colours of everyday life that are all around me in Accra - in our marketplaces, our wax prints and generally speaking, in the upbeat people of the city. We like to have a laugh with each other and live our lives in full colour.
How have your projects been shaped by, and for, Ghana’s youth?
I am inspired by the streets of Ghana and its people. There’s a sense of energy, joy and pride that I want to show the world instead of what the news channels cover over here. Although photography gave me my personal direction and a sense of purpose in life, art is not a typical career choice in Ghana. So, for me it’s important to give back and help the next generation by putting art on the educational map. Not by lecturing them, but trying to involve, inspire and empower them to have their own dreams. Art enables you to express your feelings and emotions in a way that suits you best. Also, having experienced how it can reach and connect to people from everywhere, it can impact our many societal challenges in a positive way.
Poem by Ayitey, artwork by Derrick Ofosu Boateng for 'School & Art' courtesy Homecoming Gallery
Your practice incorporates poetry. How does that come into play in School & Art?
My work is normally accompanied by poems by my talented friend Gordon Duah (Kwasi). So, when we started thinking about my first solo expo in Accra, the idea arose to involve kids from the elementary schools here through a poetry competition. Each work will be accompanied by the best poem from the kids competing. This way they get to experience firsthand what it feels like to make art, express and put something out there for the world to see and react to. The poem leading the Homecoming Gallery show actually says it all. Written by 10-year-old Ayitey, this is a testimony to the creative talent out here and I can’t wait to show more in my upcoming Accra show.
What has a standout moment in your career so far?
I’m most proud when people comment on my work saying it has changed their view of Africa.
School & Art by Derrick Ofosu Boateng, curated by Holly Fraser of WePresent, is on view at Homecoming Gallery. Find it here.