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"If you are given a talent and you don't practice or keep on training, I think that profession or gift will fall into the bin."  E. Arkutu

Emmanuel Mawuko Arkutu

Inside African Art is proud to present our first artist on the website from Ghana, a country know for artistic creativity and is vastly influential in the art circles of West Africa. 

"My name is Emmanuel Mawuko Arkutu. I was born on March 16th , 1973 in Bubuashie, a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. I have fond memories of childhood, when my daddy bought me crayons and watercolors to draw with -- I enjoyed to paint so much it came as no surprise I became the Art Prefect both in my Ordinary and Advanced levels. The spirit of art soaked me to the extent that I could not focus on the other subjects, but still I did alright . (continued below)

Title: Shields Dimensions: 30" x 37"  (76 x 93cm) Medium: Oil on canvas Cost: $200 - Marked down from $300 SOLD!  To Washington State-Thanks!	Title: Universal Language Dimensions: 24" x 37"  (61 x 76cm) Medium: Oil on canvas Cost: $175 - Marked down from $275 SOLD!  To a fan in Minnesota-Thanks!	Title: Zulu Warriors Dimensions: 37" x 30"  (93 x 76cm) Medium: Oil on canvas Cost: $200 - Marked down from $300 Sorry, this painting is SOLD!	Title: Calabash Swing Dimensions: 30" x 37"  (76 x 93cm) Medium: Oil on canvas Cost: $200 - Marked down from $300 Sorry, this painting is SOLD!
Quote from the artist: This signifies the ability of Africans to defend themselves against all forms of oppression. It also calls on Africans to be vigilant and collectively resist oppressions while liberating themselves.	Quote from the artist: Color is a means of communications because it is a language that is understood around the world.	Quote from the artist: This is a representation of warriors in the Zulu clan of South Africa	Quote from the artist: This is a composition of calabash music during a festival celebration in the north of Ghana.

Emmanuel Mawuko Arkutu (continued)

"There was this man I stayed with at the same house in Bubuashie called Mr. Nyarko, and he became a great source of inspiration for me. He was an artist who delved in different manifestations of art such as sign writing, billboards, sculptures, etc., so after High School and not having decided what to do next, I assisted Mr. Nyarko in his work. Because I was interested in the profession, not later than sooner I was delegated to write small and mini sign boards, etc. During those years, I did not know anything about paintings, All I knew was drawing, until my older brother Felix graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. He was in the College of Art and majored in paintings, so after graduating he opened his shop at our house and started painting. Since I was endowed with this talent -- I observed him, studied his techniques, strategies, and tactics and I can say in less than two weeks I was into painting. Although I can say art is a gift which the Lord implanted on me, I also persevere to know much. If you are given a talent and you don't practice or keep on training, I think that profession or gift will fall into the bin. The art profession involves a lot of consistent practice; other than that, forget it. So I can say, my brother also motivated me much. 

"I do so many types of paintings, but what I paint the most are artificial and natural still life. By artificial still life I mean the painting of artificially or man-made objects, whereas in natural still life I paint things made by the omnipotent God, such as trees, calabash, etc. Also I do abstract works -- the orchestration of colors for effect. In other words, the careful arrangement of colors for any effect to depict animals, trees etc. 

"For my works, I use a brush for painting a smooth effect as well as all the background. I use a palette knife for my abstract works mostly to orchestrate colors and certain details like movement and rough effects. I prefer acrylics for my paintings because they dry faster and within a day I can finish a painting compared to oils which take about two or three days to dry before applying another color. Also, all my paintings are done on canvas because it is stronger, durable and 100% cotton as compared to other materials like jeans etc. I also use the carpenters' white glue, mixed with emulsion paint to seal the holes on the back of the canvas. This protects the paintings from penetration onto the back of the canvas. 

"I have been working on my own since 1996 but have not trained anybody yet. I know with time, I will do that. I don't have an apprentice either. I have also attended a lot of exhibitions. I exhibited my paintings at the Ghana International Trade Fair Accra, during Panafest 1994. I was also at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra for a group exhibition in 1998, as well as 1999, and in December 1999 I again mounted another group exhibition at the Palomar Shopping Accede in Accra. 

"I sell my works to everybody, but I have special clients whom I call after completing of every work to come and inspect if they are interested. Some of them are the Managing Director of World Space, Managing Director of Blue Chip Computers, the Chief Executive of Elnatel Travel and Tours and the Executive Director of Palomar Shopping Accede, all in Accra.

"I am single, a Christian, and worship at the International Central Gospel Church in Accra."