People & Lifestyle
“Renewed hope for visual arts students in Ghana as Amoako’s artwork reaches outer space”
On the 26th of August 2021, Amoako Boafo, a renowned Ghanaian artist, became the first African to have his artworks flown into outer space on the New Shepard rocket ship by Blue Origin.
This historic event was viewed by a global audience and live-streamed by international news outlets including Reuters, The UK Independent and Bloomberg. It was also witnessed by visual arts students in some selected senior high schools in Accra, Ghana. This was in the form of an educational viewing experience curated through a partnership between Artlife Matters and Uplift Aerospace, a US-based aerospace company pioneering advanced technologies for a multiplanetary economy to revolutionize humanity’s connection with space and promote the conservation of Earth.
(Left picture: Viewing at St Thomas Aquinas and right picture, Amoako Boafo)
Artlife Matters’ partnership with Uplift Aerospace on the viewing of Amoako’s outer space artworks event has brought a renewed perspective to the creative arts industry in Ghana. “Watching this historic flight of Amoako’s artworks has given the Ghanaian creative industry a renewed hope and belief that one can reach higher heights with a focused career in the arts,” said Eric Agyare, Artlife Matters – Founder.
The partnership further gave visual arts students a rare opportunity to curate Amoako’s thought on the following issues concerning the industry.
- With reference to your DW documentary, you mentioned your mum was expecting a white-collar job instead of painting. Has this misconception changed when it comes to art as a respectable career in your locality? And what would this Art x Space project contribute to changing this misconception for parents and the everyday Ghanaian?
Amoako’s response: “Maybe the perception may have changed in my locality, but on a national level, the culture of parents wanting kids to pursue white-collar jobs has still not changed. I mean we still have a long way to get this art thing to, to speak to parents. I think in a way we are getting there. People are a bit more open to whatever is happening in the art industry in Ghana. I think with this project I’m hoping that it will prompt the need for us to develop our art industry to create more careers locally and to make art an attractive career to pursue.”
- For someone like you who has gone through challenging times in your career and is currently seen as successful, what structures do you think should be implemented to help upcoming creatives avoid similar mistakes and to easily formulate a sustainable art career? What are you doing at your level to help?
Amoako’s response: “I believe a lot more funding should go into the development of art in Ghana and Africa in general. An example will be a multi-level scheme that should be created to provide career-changing rewards for artists at various levels. There should be a lot more artist residencies. There should be a fund that artists can access to be able to work and not think so much of when they are going to sell another painting to be able to buy materials. When these things are established, when these things are done and we have more infrastructure, more spaces to exhibit our works, maybe then, we would know that we are getting there. For sure this is not a one-man job and this is not only just for the government to do but I believe that with the help of the government and corporations at large, they could make this happen. Personally, I’m working on a few other projects that I think will bring change into the art space in Ghana and details of this project will be out soon.”
- In our current society, we mostly see people in similar fields as competition. How do you condition your mind to take criticisms from your peers? What do you look out for in choosing an artist for collaborations or to support?
Amoako’s response: “I don’t, there is no way I will see another artist as a competition. I don’t think of other artists as competition or threats but I rather see them as collaborators. Art for me is dynamic and diverse and must be shared by all.”
- What message do you want to send to that young girl bleaching her skin, when you successfully launch your dark skin characters into outer space?
Amoako’s response: “Well if you look clearly at my paintings, its primary idea is to document and celebrate blackness. So I would like a world where people of all colours and gender would truly embrace who they are. I mean it is the sole idea of my work to be able to have faith in and to be more confident in yourself. I would hope that when this happens people will look at themselves and appreciate who they are.”
I wish readers will understand the significance of this history and that, everyday Ghanaians would be more liberal and supportive of what the country can achieve through the arts. And that every Ghanaian kid can freely pursue a sustainable art career.
(Left picture: Viewing at Accra Girls SHS and right picture, Eric Agyare )
As the New Shepard rocket ship landed on earth, Founder of Blue Origin and world’s richest man Jeff Bezos sent a congratulatory message to Amoako Boafo via Instagram. “Congrats to the @blueorigin team on another successful launch — the eighth for this particular vehicle. And congrats to @amoakoboafo for creating the stunning art that flew into space this morning on New Shepard’s parachute covers. #GradatimFerociter”.
The podcast is to be released on IG: @artlifematters, YouTube: Artlife Matters and Web: www.artlifematters.org
People & Lifestyle
Betty de Mould @ 70
Leading up to the 2008 elections, the NDC political party had gained “notoriety” from people especially the opposition parties as being abrasive and aggressive.
I’m sure the party did an introspection analysis and decided to give a fresh face to the party and also introduced some fresh faces as spokespersons.
The likes of Dr. Alex Segbefia, Hon. Hanna Tetteh, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu amongst others.
I’m till this day spellbound anytime Mrs. Iddrisu speaks. Her great command of the queens language. I mean she is from British Accra (James town) what do you expect?
Her grace, charm and class always comes through. Such an @awula” her French tips finger nails 💅 was one to notice.
When NDC annexed power in 2009, she served the country in various capacities. Last I heard of her politically was when she contested for NDC Party Chairmanship.
Last week March 22nd 2023 marked her platinum jubilee as she turned the big 70 a septuagenarian par excellence.
The day was marked with a brunch at her residence and hosted friends and family to a high brow dinner at the plush Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday the 25th 2023.
Here to share some pictures of what went down to mark the day.
I wish her the best on this 70th milestone. I say three hearty cheers 🥂
Written by Nana Kwesi Acquaye
People & Lifestyle
Pura Collaborates With The Metropolitan Museum Of Art On A New Collection Of Fragrances
- Blue Water Lotus: This refreshing, floral fragrance represents the beauty of lotus flowers depicted in carvings on the Temple of Dendur. Notes of blue water lily, blooming jasmine, and grounding undertones of frankincense and myrrh beautifully round out this efflorescent scent.
- Egyptian Sandalwood: This musky, woody fragrance recalls the Egyptian landscape and pays tribute to the significance of art and architecture in Egyptian rituals and culture. Cardamom and Ancient Egyptian incense blend with papery papyrus, rock rose, sandalwood, and cedarwood, creating a warm and inviting scent.
- Bamboo Forest: The structure and order of the Astor Court contrasts beautifully with the flora found within. Fresh notes of bamboo blend with orchid and plum blossom. Cooling Chinese eucalyptus soothes the senses as sandalwood and patchouli ground in this calming scent.
- Spiced Woods: This woody fragrance draws inspiration from a serene mountain retreat, highlighting the juxtaposition of a man-made structure nestled in an organic location. Himalayan azaleas blend with Indonesian balsam, cypress, and sandalwood, creating a warming, spiced scent.
- Terracotta Rose: This earthy yet refreshing fragrance represents the detailed work of Greek artisans with salt and mineral notes blending seamlessly with earthen terracotta. Geranium and muguet bring floralcy and brightness as herbal undernotes of rock rose and cypress give beauty and balance to this tranquil scent.
- Perfume Immortelle: This uplifting fragrance represents Roman artisans’ dedication to detail, movement, and humanity. The sweet immortelle flower, which never fades nor wilts, represents the enduring quality of the magnificent Roman marble statues. Bergamot and olive flower lend a bright freshness, blending with a base of cypress and myrrh.
People & Lifestyle
Kati G Responds to Decriminalization of Attempted Suicide In Ghana
Finally suicide can be acknowledged as a mental health issue and not a criminal act that would land you in jail or persuade an individual to commit the act of suicide to avoid jail time .
It was obvious why real cases of attempted suicide haven’t been recorded properly or why most people have feared to come out and declare their own personal mental health struggles. Being jailed for a mental health struggle is not a solution.
Like others I celebrate and commend parliament for taking the right steps and actions to decriminalize suicide and focus on providing help as an alternative to reduce suicide and educate the public on the subject.
As a Mental Health Advocate I will make it my personal initiative to educate the public on suicide awareness to prevent the rise.
Kati G.
Organizer
Let’s Talk About It: Suicide Awareness Ghana
People & Lifestyle
The 7th Ibero American Film Festival Held In Accra
This year’s edition of the Ibero American film festival was held from Wednesday 22nd March to Wednesday 29th March 2023 at the Pacific Alliance, located at Airport Residential Area in Accra.
The festival was dedicated to the memory of the late Mexican Ambassador accredited to Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, H. E Enrique Escorza, who passed on in November 2022.
Being the seventh edition, the Ibero American film festival screened a variety of projects including features, short films and documentary films by Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American filmmakers.
The film festival held each night from 6PM has the aim of promoting Ibero American stories, culture and messages of social impact. In addition, it showcases acclaimed films by directors from Brazil, Spain, Columbia, Cuba, Peru and Mexico with a diverse range of Latin American context and perspectives.
This year, the festival opened with the Columbian movie, Jerico; the infinite flight of days. Jerico is a film, which reflects a colourful, poetic and lush journey in a beautiful Colombian village, Jericó through the eyes of eight women of all ages and social conditions.
Other films including Achero Mañas’ directed Spanish drama film, El Bola, Cuban drama, Habana station, Peruvian movie, Viaje a Tombuctu Pixinguinha, and Brazilian project, Pixinguinha, were also screened.
Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Javier Gutierrez, Peruvian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppia and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Mexico in Ghana, Arturo Agustín Salazar González, spoke about the importance of the Ibero American film festival.
The 7th Ibero American film festival closed on Wednesday, 29th March 2023 with the Mexican movie La Buenas Hiebas
People & Lifestyle
Listen to Nana Asamoah cover the classic Cyndi Lauper song ‘True Colors’
Nana Asamoah is excited to announce the release of his new cover song True Colors, available now on YouTube. (more…)
People & Lifestyle
AirtelTigo empowers students of Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School to Maximize educational potential
As part of its activities for the month of March in honor of International Women’s Day, staff of AirtelTigo interacted and donated to students of the Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School, Larteh in the Eastern Region during their Student Representative Council week.
During the day-long event, staff spent the day interacting with the students on various topics including embracing equity, Goal setting and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The students – comprising 70% females and 30% males were encouraged to explore various career paths and not restrict themselves only to what they learn in senior high school.
Presenting a cheque of GHS 15,000 and books to the students, Atul Narain Singh, Chief Marketing Officer at AirtelTigo, encouraged them to focused on their education and continue to do their best in their various courses. “He spoke about the vast opportunity available to them in a telecommunication company like AirtelTigo and expressed the willingness to have some of them intern or work with AirtelTigo after school in future.
Nancy Assor Asiedu-Amrado, Head of Brands and Communication at AirtelTigo, in her interaction with the students, highlighted the importance of maintaining balance in their academic life and gave them some goal-setting tips as well as she encouraged the students to learn how to say no to sexual advances and to stand up for themselves, if they find themselves in similar circumstances. She also cautioned the teachers not to entertain any form of bias in teaching the young girls and boys, but embrace equity.
Alex Offei-Lartey, AirtelTigo Head of Digital Marketing and New Product, also discussed the importance of attaining equity. He spoke on the topic “Boys are not left out: gender equity.” He spoke with the male students, who shared instances of how they supported and helped the female students.
The Director of Due Diligence and Planning, Esther Gyamfi, also shared a personal experience of how she leveraged on technology to advance in her career. Her life story provided inspiration for the students.
Sarah Odei-Amoani, GMB 22 representative for Eastern Region and Ghana’s STEM Ambassador was also present to grace the occasion. she urged the students to explore the many possibilities open to them in STEM education.
In her closing remarks, the headmistress of the school, Gladys Oforiwaa Okyere Otu, expressed gratitude to AirtelTigo saying. “On behalf of the staff and students of Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School, we are extremely grateful for your time and donation. For busy professionals like you to take time off your schedules on a weekday to travel and spend the whole day with us, it makes us feel special.”
Staff of AirtelTigo also toured the school facilities and had informal one-on-one sessions with the students.
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