Armed with degrees in Business Administration and Marketing, Sackitey Tesa (Instagram) began his photographic journey in 2017, exploring various genres before honing in on conceptual photography. His childhood fascination with his father’s vintage Pentax camera laid the foundation for his artistic passion and now residing in Accra, Sackitey Tesa collaborates with fellow creatives, eager to expand his portfolio and continue capturing compelling narratives through his lens.
Sackitey Tesa, welcome, how did playing with your father’s vintage Pentax camera at a young age shape your perception of photography, and which aspects of that experience continue to influence your work today?
With my dad’s Pentax camera in hand, I would look at objects through the viewfinder and bring it down to look at the same objects with my eyes and then repeat this process. With the viewfinder I was able to focus on these objects by placing them in the camera frame and it was fascinating. Based on this experience I have developed a keen eye and an appreciation for good image composition.
Graduating with a degree in Business Administration, you initially set aside your passion for photography. What prompted you to rediscover and embrace it later in your journey?
My decision to pick up photography stems from my desire for self-expression and self-exploration. Photography allows me to articulate my thoughts, feelings, and experiences through visual imagery.
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Growing up in Accra, how have the diverse landscapes and cultures of Ghana influenced the themes and subjects you choose to capture in your photography?
My work is heavily influenced by my experiences of growing up in Accra. Within my work I seek to explore how different objects and aspects of our lives can be reimagined. These are things I see every day; from the wares sold by street vendors to the traditions unique to the diverse ethnicities in Ghana. For example, in my long-term project on twins, I draw inspiration from beliefs around twins and ceremonies to create contemporary images.
Can you share an experience or project that stands out to you, and how does collaboration enhance your artistic process?
I started a long-term project last year on twins and it’s been a wonderful experience. Before this project, most of my work has been single images that have their own unique storylines. I have been able to create a series of images that have a cohesive theme without compromising on my art style. In my opinion, collaboration is important for artists because it creates an opportunity for growth for all parties involved.
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Your early photography explored a wide range of subjects. How has your choice of subjects evolved over the years, and what themes or narratives do you find yourself drawn to now?
My choice of subjects hasn’t changed much because I still believe that everything and anything is beautiful and is worth exploring as a subject. Although I still cherish diversity in subject matter, I have increasingly gravitated towards exploring abstract ideas, emotions, and narratives through visual storytelling. I have also developed a keen interest in how shapes and colour come together to tell a cohesive story.
Your photographs have an interesting pop art element to them. Are there any artistic influences that guide that aesthetic? If so, what?
Yes, the pop art movement has indeed influenced my aesthetic in photography, particularly in the use of bold colours, graphic elements, and a playful approach to subject matter. My artistic influences include David LaChapelle and Viviane Sassen.
As a multifaceted creative professional working as a creative director, stylist, and photographer, how do you ensure a seamless integration of these roles to bring forth a cohesive and visually compelling piece of art?
I try to plan out what I’m going to do for each project and draw on my skills in each role to make sure that the project is successful. I start each project by sketching out the idea. Using my skills as a photographer I consider the colours, framing and location that are best for the project. Using my styling skills, I source the props from town or create props if needed. On set I combine all my skills in order to complete the project in a holistic manner.
How do props play a significant role in your creative process, and what considerations or criteria guide your choices when selecting props to enhance the visual narrative of your projects?
Currently, props are vital in my creative process because they enhance the visual narrative in so many ways. They can create a particular mood or atmosphere, evoke emotions and memories. They also serve as symbols and metaphors within an image. I tend to research the symbolism of certain objects or props to make sure that I resonate with it before selecting it for a project. For example, in certain projects I used plain coloured suit jackets because, for me, it represents stiffness and conformity. The viewer may feel differently, and that is the beauty of art.
Accra is known for its vibrant street scenes. Can you share a particular moment or event in the city that has profoundly inspired or influenced your recent photographic work?
One moment that profoundly influenced my recent photographic work was when I participated in The Chale Wote Street Art Festival, an annual street festival in Accra. As I wandered through the maze of art installations, I was captivated by the raw energy and authenticity of the works of different artists. The streets were bustling with activity as the artists set up their installations and the festival goers navigated the grounds in clothes of vibrant colours and textures that expressed their unique personality and creativity. This made me appreciate our unique Ghanaian culture and my own perspective of the world.
Imagine your camera has magical powers and can capture the essence of any historical moment. Which moment in history would you choose to photograph, and why?
I would like to get a snapshot of the year I was born. I recently discovered while researching that Viviane Sassen, one of my favourite photographers, worked on a series of self-portraits during the 1990s. There were so many photographers practising before I was born whose work I admire and I think it would be very fascinating to get an overview of the projects they were working on at the time.
For more stories of regional creatives, like this interview with Sackitey Tesa, visit our arts and culture pages.
