Kwame Acheampong (Instagram), a Ghanaian artist from Jamestown, Accra, captures life around him with one simple tool – his iPhone. Infusing each image with vibrant energy and contemporary flair, his work resembles paintings more than photographs. Frequently capturing people working, playing, and living on the shore, he aims to show the rich and unique coastal city of Accra. Acheampong’s passion for his art drives him to explore new mediums while continuing to push the boundaries of his craft.
Welcome, Kwame Acheampong, can you tell us about your journey as an artist, and what inspired you to pursue photography as your primary medium?
Attempting to create imagery to accompany my poems led me into photography. I acquired an iPhone 4s in 2015, my sophomore year, which enabled me to easily write and share poems online via Instagram. I was mesmerized by the quality of images the phone’s camera produced, it was an inspiration to document life around me. I had developed an interest in editing images prior to owning an iPhone, so I began experimenting with image editing apps to produce abstract and artistic effects on some photos that were to be used as poem covers.
How do you choose which aspects of Jamestown to feature in your art, and what inspires your artistic decisions?
The choice of setting depends on the elements present and their suitability to the envisioned idea. Life in general and human nature greatly inspire my artistic decisions.
How has your science degree from the University of Ghana shaped your approach to art, and do you see any connections between science and art in your work?
I think the scientific trait in my artistic approach is the experimental tendencies I try to infuse into some works. A number of my favourite pieces are the result of allowing the unconscious to operate in an unrestrained fashion. Secondly, the strain in establishing a seemingly perfect logical relation between an idea and its visual output is a result of my academic background.
How do you balance preserving cultural authenticity with infusing innovative and contemporary elements into your art?
By ensuring a healthy inclusion of traditional elements of my culture and simultaneously applying contemporary ideas when appropriate.
What is it about the seaside that resonates with you, and how does it inform your artistic vision?
Locations near the sea are the usual setting for my work because I have a connection with the ocean. I have been close to the sea since infancy; I was born and bred here, in Jamestown. My father used to carry me along to the beach after school hours to relax, and it has since been a place of solace for me growing up. The beach also provides a more natural environment for my art.
Your work often features vibrant colours that draw viewers in. What role do these colours play in conveying the atmosphere and emotions of the scenes you capture?
Colours are not only mesmerising and beautiful, they have the ability to evoke feelings and communicate intentions. My colour usage often sets the tone for the artwork’s emotion. Sometimes I use colour to create an attraction for the underlying principle behind the work to be discovered; it’s more or less visual bait.
Many of your images resemble paintings rather than conventional photographs. What techniques or effects do you use to achieve this quality in your work?
I make use of multiple image editing apps downloaded from the App Store on my iPhone. The painterly effects are achieved by manipulating hues and completely changing the background of pictures.
Beyond photography, are there any other forms of artistic expression or mediums you’ve experimented with or would like to explore in the future?
I have always had a keen interest in painting and sculpture; my favourite artists are painters and sculptors. I see myself delving into these art forms and possibly pursuing an MFA.
What role do you believe art plays in society, and how do you see your own work contributing to cultural dialogue and understanding?
Art is a means of documenting culture, addressing social issues and is a source of beauty. My work addresses racial representation and provides solace by virtue of its vibrancy.
How do you redefine power through your art?
The use of black bodies in my art is a challenge to the marginalisation of the black race, which has a history of a lack of representation in the historical canon of art.
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