Contemporary African art is a powerful tool for combating degrading visions of the human being, while at the same time nurturing noble causes or exposing the beauty of the continent and its culture. The uses of this discipline are as multiple as they are unprecedented, giving the creations of contemporary African artists a singular and immersive depth that is sometimes transcendent. Yaw Owusu, a contemporary artist from Ghana, is fully committed to this fascinating approach, which consists of using art to transcribe the realities and celebrate the culture of his native country.
Born in Kumasi in 1979, Yaw Owusu stands out for his unique artistic voice and his ability to use unusual materials, notably the Pesewa coins introduced to counter the growing inflation in his country. Initially a traditional portraitist, he gradually turned to symbolic representations of political and socio-economic narratives, while retaining his characteristic artistic authenticity.
Yaw Owusu obtained his BFA from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), an institution renowned for its innovative, research-led approach to art. Among the university’s illustrious alumni are internationally renowned artists such as El Anatsui and Ibrahim Mahama. Attracted to sculpture and painting, the African artist honed his artistic skills at KNUST before continuing his training in New York at the prestigious Pratt Institute of Art, where he obtained his MFA. His multidisciplinary studies at KNUST and the university’s experimental approach to the history of materials and art shaped his desire to explore beyond traditional painting media. This aspiration came to fruition during a trip to the southern coast of Ghana, where he drew his inspiration and affirmed his artistic path.
Indeed, the discovery of Pesewa coins with shades altered by time, water and salt during a walk on the beach had a profound effect on Yaw Owusu. Intrigued by these now obsolete objects, the artist undertook extensive research, discovering to his astonishment that these coins were produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and not in Ghana, testifying to the lingering influence of the former colonial power of the United Kingdom on his country of origin.
This revelation led the artist to use Pesewa coins as a means of exploring the question of Ghana’s economic and political independence, as well as the evolution of the notion of value. By applying organic and chemical processes to the coins, he expresses the impact of trade and time on their appearance and value. Through complex transformations, he converts coins into detailed colored surfaces, evoking symbolic cartographies, as seen in his 2016 work “Untitled 2”.
Through sculptural tapestries inspired by archival maps of Ghana depicting the location of railroads through resource-rich regions, Yaw Owusu offers a unique artistic perspective on the evolving financial structures of contemporary society. Today, using these coins to create wall sculptures and grandiose installations, the Ghanaian artist questions his country’s economic and political independence, while highlighting the changing dynamics that shape our financial reality.
Yaw Owusu’s artistic approach also highlights the legacies of colonialism and the persistent impact of these systems on African societies. His creations offer a critical look at the power structures and economic dynamics that influence the continent. Through bold, engaged art, his works become rich, multidimensional narratives, exploring profound themes that resonate with the contemporary African experience.
Beyond the critical dimension, the work of this contemporary African artist also celebrates the diversity and richness of African cultural identity. Drawing inspiration from traditional motifs and symbols, he reinterprets them in a contemporary artistic language. By using local materials and reimagining everyday objects, the artist affirms his commitment to valuing African cultural heritage and giving it a central place in today’s artistic discourse.
His most recent works explore a broader palette of materials to question global political and economic orders. Working with the American penny, Yaw Owusu examines its symbolic significance, its relationship to figures such as Abraham Lincoln (an important figure in the coin’s early history) and its link to the transatlantic slave trade, a crucial aspect of Ghana’s history. The use of metals such as steel refers to the perceived solidity of American capitalism, particularly highlighting the industrial growth linked to symbols such as New York City.
The precious metals such as gold, copper and bronze used in Yaw Owusu’s work evoke the history of coinage prior to the modern era, offering a reflection on the evolving financial structures that influence our lives today. At the same time, the incorporation of natural materials such as wood represents the transition from a natural to a manufactured world, illustrating the precarious evolution of global economies. The artist’s sculptures explore a variety of issues, from the central role of labor and its exploitation in the creation of economic value, to the way cartography has consolidated colonial power relations, to the symbolism of flags in the myth of nation-states as guarantors of security and prosperity for all.
Yaw Owusu’s talent has been recognized internationally, thanks to prestigious awards such as the Kuenyehia Art Prize for Contemporary Ghanaian Art in 2018, as well as the Pratt Circle Award and Outstanding Student Award in 2020. His solo exhibitions in galleries in Ghana, the UK and the USA, as well as his participation in major events such as the Venice Biennale, the Dakar Biennale, and the Contemporary African Art Museum Al Maaden in Marrakech, have contributed to his influence. His art has also been included in group shows by renowned institutions such as Christie’s (UK), Sotheby’s Institute (USA) and MACAAL (Morocco).
The Ghanaian artist’s work is distinguished by its ability to interrogate complex issues crucial to contemporary Africa, while offering a captivating and stimulating aesthetic. His creations invite reflection, dialogue and action, encouraging audiences to engage in a critical analysis of the power structures, social inequalities and economic realities that shape the continent. By weaving captivating narratives from ordinary materials, Yaw Owusu reveals himself to be a visionary artist, capable of giving a powerful voice to the concerns and aspirations of contemporary Africa.
