Josh Adjetey Akpor

Josh Adjetey Akpor is a contemporary visual artist born in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A graduate of the Department of Painting and Sculpture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Akpor is a member of the influential artist collective blaxTarlines KUMASI, known for its experimental approach to contemporary art in Ghana and across West Africa.

Working from his studio in Teshie, a coastal town in Accra, Akpor explores the themes of the human body, memory, and self-reflection. His practice often includes intimate collaborations with live models, sometimes using his own image as a way of investigating identity and physical form. His work is grounded in self-exploration, interrogating the relationship between the body, personal histories, and our connection to nature.

Akpor’s materials are as distinctive as his themes. He works with red clay, oil paints, burnt wood, and acrylic gloss, a palette that lends his paintings a rich, tactile quality. His choice of denim as a painting support further distinguishes his work, adding depth, texture, and a sense of rawness that challenges conventional notions of canvas. These layered surfaces become vessels for personal memory, human encounters, and reflections on the tension and harmony between people and the natural world.

In 2024, Josh was selected for the Arms Around The Child (AATC) Art Residency in Ghana, where he is currently developing a new body of work from his Accra studio. As part of the residency, he has completed a series of collaborative art workshops with children at the Christian Atsu Education Centre and those supported by Becky’s Foundation, enriching the lives of young people through creative expression.

His upcoming solo exhibition, taking place at the Museum of Science and Technology in Accra from April 24th to May 24th, 2025, will showcase a compelling new body of work titled “Homowo: Celebration of Ga Resilience and Culture.” This project draws inspiration from the vibrant Homowo festival of the Ga people, commemorating their triumph over famine and preserving deep cultural traditions. Through 20 paintings and four installations, Akpor captures the spirit of the festival, its rituals, costumes, music, and community, focusing on a variety of local groups. With his signature use of red clay, denim, and natural materials, he creates richly textured pieces that reflect memory, identity, and resilience.

The exhibition is not only a celebration of Ga heritage but also a platform for cultural dialogue and preservation through contemporary art. A private view will be held on opening night to mark the culmination of Josh’s residency with AATC.

Follow Josh’s evolving practice on Instagram: @joshakpor34