Accra

2 FEBRUARY 2023

Traveling back to Accra and returning to Somewhere Nice Guest House allowed time for doing some admin and processing the journey so far. Having a beautiful attic loft studio at the guest house was a real treat.

I have spent the days in conversation with very inspiring people, one of them being with a Swedish journalist who was researching for a documentary on the Ghanian second hand clothing, fishing and online dating businesses. All three topics have concerning elements to them, which his trying to unpick.

I have also been trying to get a Nigerian visa which has let to some interesting visits to the embassy with no success. It seems to be impossible to get a visa from an African country if you are not a resident and particularly if you don’t have your own vehicle to cross the border in. I’ll need to create a plan B.

Airbnb is doing a brilliant trade in Accra and I have moved to an amazing, cheap beautifully furnished apartment in Osu for my last days in the city.

I have spent today diving deep into the contemporary art scene in Accra and meeting some of the people who are promoting it.

Yesterday, I visited the Nubuke Foundation in East Legon area. Housed in a modern minimalistic building, was a painting (The Child of God) created by Naila Opiangah whilst working with Chance the Rapper. In the main space was an impressive exploration of female identities and personas by Na Chainkua Reindorf ( Up to no good).

This morning I had the privilege of meeting the young team at the Nolder Residency who are managing a foundation intent on providing space and opportunity to young artists. Having secured the rental on an old pharmaceutical company building, they are slowly renovating the space to realize their dream. I was able to view two artists’ work and the pieces being created by the current artist in residency. The work of Dela Anyah and Mobolaji Ogunrosoye are captured below.

I was inspired: here were artists amplifying the unique qualities of their cultures; the subtle passions, challenges and triumphs experienced in their lives today. Through my eyes, their work was refreshingly innovative.

Further connections were made during the day with the art community of southern Osu and the team at Gallery 1957. All sharing the intention to promote the arts and help the younger generation find ways to promote their identity and culture.