Murals Project

The Mural Project is an extension of the Archaeological Art Club: local artists (together with local children) paint arresting murals on the historic houses in Osu. Each mural tells the story of the original house owners, many of whom were Danes involved in the Danish slave trade and their Ga partners. Often the house continues to be occupied by their descendants. One outstanding, extended mural depicts the history of the Castle and its involvement in the slave trade.










The Artists

Desmond Nii Kortey Botchway
Desmond Nii Kortey Botchway
Desmond’s artistic focus delves into the inner realm of the human experience, particularly the psychological and emotional dimensions. He keenly observes how emotions manifest themselves physically, in the expressions of his subjects. As an artist, Desmond is driven to create works that showcase his fascination with the endless possibilities arising from the interplay of various elements, including the emotional experiences and current internal states of individuals. He contends that these unique moments are deserving of recognition, as they reflect universally relatable human experiences. Desmond also asserts that acknowledging shared experiences fosters a sense of safety and empathy, thereby reinforcing our humanity. He says, “In a world that all too often can leave us feeling alienated from our own humanity and that of our fellow beings, I create art to remedy this condition by reminding the viewer that they are not alone, that these are indeed shared feelings… to provide comfort.”

Ed Franklin
Gavua
Ed Franklin Gavua
For Frank (as he is known) “art is a dream, a vision and a transformative system of human expression.” His current work is entitled, ‘T2T (TRASH TO TREASURE) SERIES.’ Frank explains that as a series of art pieces, “It is the greatest task I have ever undertaken in the field of art. The merits that emerge from it benefit not only buyers or collectors, but also the community from which I come, and the world as a whole, through waste management. 85% or more of the items that I employ in my work are made from popular nylon-based plastic. Such waste has a lifespan of five centuries or more and can be found on a daily basis in the trash bins of households and markets all around the world.” Frank adds, “The process involved in creating my artwork starts with going to places such as cold stores, restaurants, shops, wholesalers, and households, to gather the plastic waste that is used mainly for binding boxes. Washing and drying the waste follows. Enhancing some selected pieces with colour, I weave them into the forms and shapes needed to create beautiful art that the world will cherish forever.” In conclusion, he says, “My vision in creating these pieces is to do the best I can to change the world by promoting plastic waste management, and at the same time to create smiles on the faces of art lovers who relate to my vibe, as it is manifested through my flow of life, which is art.”

Emmanuel
Larbi
Emmanuel Larbi
Emmanuel is a self-taught artist and is arguably, one of the best artists in Ghana. He has been an artist since he was seven years old. Emmanual says, “My father saw my talent and kept telling me he will send me to school to become even more brilliant.” Employing crayons and color pencils, he notes, “I kept learning hard in class and was always happy when it was time for drawing because art is my passion.” Throughout his school age years, Emmanuel continued to challenge himself, along with another classmate to get the best scores for their drawings. They drew images inspired by photographs of chewing gum wrappers, and other advertisements in magazines and newspapers. Later, as a young teenager, Emmanuel became inspired by road signboards in the community, and video film posters found at the Koliko Cinema Hall of La, in Accra. Today, as a professional artist, he draws imaginative compositions, portraits and landscape art. He enjoys all types of mediums, namely oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, pencils and pen shading.

Enoch Nii-Adjei
Laryea
Enoch Nii-Adjei Laryea
Enoch’s work ranges from ceramics, to sculpting, body painting, illustrating, graffiti and murals. Occupying the spaces between Afrocentrism, traditional and contemporary or modernism, realism and abstract art, he employs a diverse range of materials and techniques in order to manifest his ideas. He focuses on evoking voices from those who often remain unheard. Enoch says, “I am privileged to be an artist. I am a student of the various African artists that have come before me. My art and techniques have grown and will continue to grow because of that. My work for the past six years has engaged with various aspects of my culture and its history, which profoundly impact how I create as an artist. My art is dynamic, and like culture, it’s ever-changing, which has helped me grow, both as an individual, and as an artist. As audiences view my art, it is my hope that they also undergo the process of change and evolution. One of my goals for my viewers is that they are inspired when they see my work. I hope it brings them joy and encourages them to lean into their imaginative and creative side.”

Erasmus Anyetei
Odoi
Erasmus Anyetei Odoi (Nii Anyetei Ras)
Erasmus studied at the Ghanatta College of Art and Design. After graduating, he held his first exhibition in 2015 in Accra. Since then, Erasmus has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Ghana, as well as in Germany. In 2018, Erasmus was commissioned by the President of the Republic of Ghana for a portrait of the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, to be gifted as part of Nelson Mandela’s 100 Years’ celebrations. As an artist he is not bound to movement, styles, or techniques. Rather, as he says, “My emotions are manifested in my artistic creations. They surge from within. My work does not merely mirror societal realities. Instead I engage with and challenge realities. I confront the realities that confound society, through my art.” Erasmus creates paintings that evince confidence, boldness, the desire of the African to be heard, and to compel attention through visual narratives. His interest lies in “the creation of awareness among black societies in the world, that people of color can make it through the challenges of neglect, by rising above the negative beliefs about us, and concentrating on our talents gifted from above, to change our societies and change the world.”

Ernest
Boafo
Ernest Boafo
Ernest is a young Ghanaian visual artist. He lives in Osu, Accra, but hails from the Western Region of Ghana. As a visual artist he works very hard to create images by painting on canvas using acrylic paint and water colour. Ernest has participated in many art festivals in Osu and Jamestown, including the project entitled, ‘Classroom on the Street’, a bi-annual program that offers free art classes for children in Osu. In his artwork, he engages with some of the many social issues that concern his community, as well as Africa more broadly. Deeply committed to his art practice, Ernest says, “I will work hard to contribute towards the development of my community and Africa. I believe that my artworks and their messages will inspire Africans and the world at large.”

Joseph
Aboagye
Joseph Aboagye
Joseph is a young and talented artist in the early stages of artistic experimentation. He studied at the Ghanatta College of Art and Design, graduating in 2012. Since 2017, Joseph has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout Ghana, as well as creating several commissions for private collectors, both in and outside of the country. Adopting an elegant approach, Joseph portrays the figurative abstract. He is noted for his excellent strokes in solid impasto, and expresses the varying moods of the everyday person through body language and facial depiction. He has also received acclaim for his mastery in the artistic representation of Ghana’s rich, local landscape. Joseph has a desire to tell the stories that awaken old memories about African culture, in order to understand where we are coming from and where we are going. He says, “Art is a vehicle that I use to explore not only myself, but also to make sense of the world around me. It captures how I fit into my surroundings through observation, thought, and imagination, which help me to bring that beauty or those emotions to my work.”

Julius Tetteh
Nartey
Julius Tetteh Nartey
Julius is a Ghanaian artist based in Nungua, Accra. His works rely mostly on the use of realism and abstraction to create powerful and emotion-filled pieces. Julius addresses societal issues, and in particular, he seeks to promote confidence, and project the strength of African culture. Additionally, Julius strives to use his artwork to promote an African aesthetic. He is an artist that seeks, “to create works that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also convey a message of understanding and cultural appreciation.” Through his broad range of art forms, Julius creates an absorbing mixture of emotions and concepts, to produce an art form that has become popular, not only in Ghana and Africa, but is also exhibited in respected and recognized galleries worldwide.

Michael Ofoe
MacCarthy
Michael Ofoe MacCarthy
Michael is an artist based in Labadi, Accra. He creates realistic, acrylic paintings of human figures. His work consists of detailed representations of his surroundings transformed into a painted portrait. Michael notes, “Each art piece conveys a story of daily life, through a considered use of color and technical precision, in order to evoke an emotive response.” Through his flair for realism, each painting reveals the subtle nuances of mood, humor, and personality, capturing moments in time that would otherwise be forgotten. It is in these depictions that this artist’s true talent for portraying the personalities of his subjects is revealed. Michael transforms the ordinary into moments of extraordinary realism.

Nmaju Daniel
Ude (Dharnie)
Nmaju Daniel Ude (Dharnie)
Nmaju is a passionate and visionary artist who brings his creativity to life through both paintings and writing. His exploration of various mediums, including acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal, and pastel, showcases the diversity of his artistic expression. Born in Nigeria, Nmaju’s early years were enriched by Ghana’s vibrant visual arts scene, when he attended Anlo Senior High School in the Volta Region. Pursing his passion, he continued his education at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, specializing in Fine Arts. Nmaju’s upbringing in different countries and exposure to diverse cultures have significantly influenced the depth and richness of his artistic works. Having taught arts at God’s Foundation International School in Togo, and currently serving as a studio assistant to the esteemed fine artist Nii Anyetei Ras in Ghana, Nmaju continues to nurture his artistic talent and knowledge. Bold, expressive and daring, his distinctive painting style employs a masterful use of color and figurative objectives to highlight subject matters that spark emotions and curiosity. His artworks captivate viewers, drawing them into a world of depth and allure. Nmaju’s relentless passion for pushing artistic boundaries and broadening minds, weaves a vivid tapestry of emotions through his art and poetry. With every stroke of his brush and pen, he aims to leave an indelible mark on the world of art, inspiring audiences to connect deeply with their own emotions and experiences.

Samuel
Mensah
Samuel Mensah
Samuel is an artist who creates through sculpting, painting, and illustrating. He works with several mediums, including oil and acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal, and pastel. Samuel studied under his older brother, Joseph Mensah, one of the finest artists in Ghana. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Ghana and throughout the African continent. Samuel is one of the most prolific, and prominent visual artists today. His first painting was created in 1990: a movie poster advertising a film entitled, ‘Stallone Cobra.’ Since then, his work has also been featured in the art book called, ‘EXTREME CANVAS-2: The Golden Age of Hand-Painted Movie Posters’ compiled by Ernie Wolfe. Samuel believes that art is a gift from God.