My name is Mustapha Memphis Yawuza
Born in 1991, Ghana. I do Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a place called Madina in Accra-Ghana. A lively neighborhood with lots of adventurous upbringing. A more of a ghetto kind of living with different facets of life.
Why did you become an artist?
I believe there is the need to look at things from a different perspective and with art, I can express my views even more clearly without having to use too much words and also be able to impact lives positively since not everyone get the opportunity to sprout even though they’ve got potential qualities.
How would you describe your own style?
My style explores semi-abstract figuration, expressionism and cubism employing geometric shapes and forms.
What expectations were placed on you when you were a child?
Growing up between two separate parenting with different religious perspectives, I was expected to live a morally upright lifestyle which forced me to take up responsibility at an early stage of life to support my younger siblings.
What profession could you be in if you were not an artist?
I world have been an Architect and an Interior Decorator which falls under art in a way so I would have still been an Artist.
Who is your favourite artist of all time and what is your favourite artwork of all time?
Jean-Michel Basquiat is my favorite Artist of all time and my favorite artwork is Caravaggio’s Boy with a basket of fruit.1593
Which person outside art do you admire? And for what?
I admire Martin Luther King Jr. for his longing dream for change.
What advice would you give to your younger self? (16-18 years old)
I would tell my younger Self to stop being afraid and go for what ever I believe in.
What do you like about the culture you grew up in?
The culture I grew in exposed me to Discipline, Spirituality and Empathy which helps put me in line regardless of the adventurous upbringing.
With which 3 people (dead or alive) would you like to spend a creative weekend?
If I had the chance, I would spend time with George Condo, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Maku Azu
If you had to live in a different African city, not in the country where you were born or raised, which city would you pick and why?
I would love to live in Egypt because of its early exposure to civilization and also it historical heritage with regards to art and construction.
What message would you want artists to hear right now?
‘If you are an Artist anywhere in the world, just own and embrace yourself for who you are regardless of how weird you may seem to be cos that weirdness is a programmed software to be installed in this world so don’t hide it.’
