My name is Sheriff Adams Yussif Apatewin
Born in 1998, Ghana. I do Painting, Installation, Mixed Media.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Bolgatanga in the Upper East region of Ghana
Why did you become an artist?
Art has always been integral to my existence. I embraced the role of an artist as a means to gain insight into both my own being and the surrounding world.
How would you describe your own style?
In my artistic approach, I fuse elements of traditional portraiture with abstraction, employing acrylics, pastels, and charcoal to craft a distinctive, whimsical, and captivating body of work.
What expectations were placed on you when you were a child?
I was raised in a household where both my parents worked as civil servants. While they were open-minded about allowing me to choose my own path, there was an implicit expectation to follow in their footsteps or pursue a conventional office job.
What profession could you be in if you were not an artist?
If I weren’t pursuing art, I’d likely be a civil engineer.
Who is your favourite artist of all time and what is your favourite artwork of all time?
Jean-Michel Basquiat stands as my all-time favorite artist, while Kerry James Marshall’s ‘A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self’ holds the position of my most cherished artwork.
Which person outside art do you admire? And for what?
Beyond the realm of art, I deeply admire my father, Alhaji Sheriff Adams, who has been a steadfast source of strength and support throughout my journey.
What advice would you give to your younger self? (16-18 years old)
If I were to offer advice to my past self, it would be to remain steadfast in love regardless of circumstances and to always keep sight of God.
What do you like about the culture you grew up in?
The culture in which I was raised instilled in me the importance of family, community, and diligent effort, serving as steadfast pillars in guiding my life.
With which 3 people (dead or alive) would you like to spend a creative weekend?
Jean Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh
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 choose to reside in Cape Town, South Africa, drawn by its status as the thriving artistic hub of the continent.
What message would you want artists to hear right now?
Embrace each day with love, recognizing it as the masterpiece that artfully shapes life itself.
