akutso

Tamale it’s only a few days until we close “Home Through Participation” with works of the Akutso collective at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale! We conclude with our last artist highlight: Ofoli Kwei and his photo series “We are unknown”. So what do you know about basketball? In “We are unknown” Ofoli Kwei highlights the untold stories of Ghana’s basketball ecosystem which hasn’t received much attention from politicians and the media resulting in scarce government funding even though basketball is the second most played sport in Ghana. In his portrait series, Ofoli Kwei, captures stories of players, fans and sheds light on those often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Each photograph reveals that basketball is more than a sport - it’s about identity, community and ultimately about belonging and feeling home. About the artist Ofoli Kwei is an Accra based photographer who believes that sports is a powerful force to lead positive change, shape identities and create opportunities. In his own words: “Beyond the court, sports tell stories of passion, resilience and community. Through my lens, I capture the heartbeat of Ghana’s basketball culture-celebrating the players, fans and moments that inspire change. Every image is a reflection of hope, identity and the power of the game. For the remaining days of May, “Home Through Participation” is on display at Nuku Studio. Visit us from Tuesday-Saturday (11am-6pm)! Photo credit (1, 2) @ofoli_kwei (3) @ofoeamegavie (4) @buenorteyokor #SportsPhotography #BasketballInGhana #DocumentingTheGame

“From Coast to Coast” by Désiré Eli-Zafoe is a moving photo collage series that tells the stories of people living along the shoreline — from Ada, Elmina, Keta, Anyanui, to Accra. It’s part of our ongoing “Home Through Participation” exhibition by the Akutso Collective, currently showing at Nuku Studio – Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale. Drawing on personal family history, oral traditions, and local wisdom, Désiré’s work invites viewers to experience the beauty, struggle, and identity of coastal communities — far beyond what the eye can see. Since 2019, Désiré has been documenting this journey. Alongside the collages, he presents the short documentary Anomansa, which revisits the oral history of Elmina, once known as Anomansa, and the legend of Kwaa Mankwa, who discovered the town after following the Benya stream. The film takes viewers on a present-day journey through Elmina, connecting the past and present through memory and place. With fishing nets hanging in the space, the exhibition brings the spirit of the sea right into Tamale — a city without a coastline, yet deeply connected through story, heritage, and resilience. About the artist: Désiré Eli-Zafoe is a Ghanaian filmmaker, photographer and a designer with a background in technology, marketing and communications. He has worked on Ghana’s first National Pavilion at the 58th Venice International Art Exhibition-la Biennale Di Venizia, the Mobile Museum and the Pan-African Cultural Encyclopedia projects. Currently, Désiré is exploring filmmaking, photography and art in connection with Afro futurism mainly in Ada Foah in the Greater Accra Region and other communities along the coast. “From Coast to Coast” is more than a visual archive — it’s an invitation to remember, question, and celebrate the threads that hold our communities together. Visit us during our opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 11am-6pm. “Home Through Participation” will be on display until end of May. Photo credit (1, 2) @d.z.ray (3) @ofoeamegavie (4) @buenorteyokor

Dive into the rich traditions of Ada at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale - As part of the “Home Through Participation” exhibition, you can explore “A Celebration of Home, Heritage and Identity” — a photo series by Agbongua Kwadwo Buenortey, documenting the Asafotufiami festival, one of Ghana’s most meaningful cultural celebrations. Held every first week of August, Asafotufiami — which means “divisional firing of musketry” in Dangme — honors Ada’s ancestors and founding fathers who fought to protect and build their land. Buenortey takes us into this vibrant tradition, capturing Ada’s royals in regal kente, gold, beads, and palanquins, symbols of leadership and unity. His photographs reflect the deep spiritual connections, historical reenactments, and striking cultural attire that give the festival its heart. The series also highlights the Adibiawe Clan, Ada’s first and senior clan, whose story remains central to the town’s identity. Buenortey visually translates these traditions, offering both a fresh introduction for newcomers and a proud reminder for those connected to Ada’s heritage. About the artist: Agbongua J. Kwadwo Buenortey is a documentary photographer and filmmaker from Ada in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. Now splitting his time between Accra and Ada, his work explores themes of tradition, spirituality, and cultural identity — rooted in a deep personal connection to his hometown. “As a documentary photographer, I express myself in a way that connects past and present. My goal is to invite the viewer into my space and take them on a journey. I love the bond a photograph can create between my work and the audience.” “A Celebration of Home, Heritage and Identity” is currently on view at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale, open from Tuesday to Saturday (11 AM – 6 PM) until the end of May. Photo credit (1,3,6) @buenorteyokor (2,4,5,7) @ofoeamegavie #Asafotufiami #BuenorteyPhotography #HomeThroughParticipation #NukuStudio #TamaleArtScene #GhanaFestivals #DangmeCulture #AdaHeritage #DocumentaryPhotography

Tamale, Tamale - Come and visit our ongoing exhibition “Home Through Participation” at Nuku Studio — Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale! Among other works it features Ofoe Amegavie´s photographic-installation project “Between Sand and Water” which highlights the resilience of communities living along the Volta Lake amidst growing environmental challenges. Between Sand and Water delves into the enduring bond between the people of Ada, Amegavie’s hometown, and the Volta Lake — one of the largest man-made lakes in the world — as well as the estuary where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Through this project, Amegavie reflects on the community’s connection to water and land, alongside the environmental crises they face. At its core, the work also follows Ofoe’s personal journey as he traces the stories and traditions of his people, whose history is intertwined with the rhythms of the river and the vast expanse of the lake. The images are screen printed on cloth, diverging from conventional photographic displays and adding a tactile, intimate dimension to the work. About the artist: Ofoe Amegavie is a Ghanaian photographer with a passion for all things cultural and spiritual in human societies. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive style, applying a curious, reflective approach and a spiritual perspective to portraying his culture and heritage. His work offers intimate insights into everyday encounters and seeks to document the unseen, the forgotten, and the quietly powerful moments of human experience. As Ofoe himself puts it: “As time moves on, it is what we see or what we don’t see that defines our understanding of our existence here on earth. My work seeks to inhabit a space and time that only my vision can define.” Between Sand and Water is currently on view at Nuku Studio - Center for Photographic Research and Practice in Tamale, open from Tuesday to Saturday (11 AM – 6 PM) until the end of May. Photo credit (1,3,5) @buenorteyokor (2) @ofoeamegavie (4) @ameliekoerbs.photography

Let’s dive deeper into the ongoing exhibition “Home Through Participation” at Nuku Studio Center for Photography Research and Practice in Tamale. The exhibition showcases striking visuals and interactive installations from five artists of the Akutso Collective @akutso - Désiré Eli-Zafoe @d.z.ray , Agbongua J. Kwadwo Buenortey @buenorteyokor Ofoli Kwei @ofoli_kwei , Ofoe Amegavie @ofoeamegavie , and Annertey @annertey Annertey’s ‘Spatial Echoes’ installation explores the intersection of technology and culture, preserving both documents and artefacts while challenging the boundaries between heritage and technology. For generations, everyday household objects of Ghanaian origin that carry deep cultural significance have remained isolated from contemporary narratives and overlooked in broader cultural archives. By preserving them in digital format, ‘Spatial Echoes’ offers a renewed appreciation of their cultural value and ensures a continued presence in an era of constant change. We are amazed to see how children effortlessly navigate ‘Spatial Echoes’ and intuitively understand the visuals without needing guidance or reading the manual. It shows that art is for every generation and also can be playful. As adults, we might think too much and should take an example from the kids. Annertey’s quest to explore new processes and ideas influences his interest in investigating vernacular design culture. He believes in reusing technologies, concepts, and methods, regardless of their origin. He often draws inspiration from traditional techniques, combining them with contemporary approaches to create art that addresses pressing issues within his community. Come to Nuku Studio to experience Annertey’s and the other Akutso collective artists’ take on what home means to them. The exhibition is currently on display at Nuku Studio, open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm until end of May. Photo credit: (1) @ofoeamegavie (2,3) @ameliekoerbs.photography

Join us on Saturday, February 18, 2023, for ‘Loose Talk’ with Ofoe Amegavie @ofoeamegavie as he discusses his project 'Between Sand & Water: Sunken Lands' and a post-residency conversation hosted by Akutso x @yellowmeshstudios Ofoe Amegavie @ofoeamegavie is a Ghanaian photographer passionate about all things cultural and spiritual in human societies. He is inspired by his family's ancestry, dating back to Togbui Sri I of Anloga and its story of migration from the Volta Region to the coast of Ada-Foah in the Greater Accra. Venue: @thestudioaccra / Osu Forico Mall / Mission Street Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 Exhibition: 4:30 PM Time: 6:00 PM Free event!!!

Our post-residency exhibition, 'Between Sand & Water; Sunken Lands' by Ofoe Amegavie, is ongoing until the 14th of January, 2023. [ Visit the link in bio for more information ]

Akutso Creatives Residencies in collaboration with Yellow Mesh Studios present to you our upcoming post-residency exhibition 'Between Sand & Water; Sunken Lands' by Ofoe Amegavie. 'Between Sand & Water; Sunken Lands' is a photo project that seeks to highlight climate change and its effects on the coast of Ada. This is done by delving into the past and juxtaposing it with the present. This exhibition features a selection of collaged serigraphs completed over the course of the residency.

Throwback to our first exhibition, 'Frames'.

We had the opportunity of setting up 'Frames' in the art department of Accra Academy. It was an absolute delight to see the students interact with the installation.

Exploded view of the Interactive System used for 'Frames'. From top to bottom, this system consists of: film sheet, glass sheet, Perspex sheet, light source and a wooden frame.

'Love Is Powerful' is an interactive installation that experiments with both Figurative and Abstract art. This is done by using encryption and decryption as a tool. In it's resting state, the work is presented as abstract/encrypted. Upon the observer's interaction, in the form of either sliding a film sheet or walking across the installation, Abstract art is decrypted into Figurative arts in real time.