Eugene Ankomah, a different kind of artist
Eugene Ankomah
There is a buzz around multi-talented artist Eugene Ankomah. His work has caught the eye of celebs such as Dame Kelly Holmes, actress Freema Agyeman and musician Dizzee Rascal, giving him instant pop status. We caught up with the Central St Martin’s alumni to discuss his latest projects.
CAV: Your work has received great acclaim and people star talking about you the same way they did with Yinka Shonibare and Chris Ofili. What do you make of that? What would you say sets you apart from them?
Eugene Ankomah: I admire the contributions of both Chris Ofili and Yinka Shonibare, who have helped open the doors for the next generation of artists such as myself. So I have the utmost respect for them and their achievements. Although we all share a common interest in communicating and referencing our African/Black heritage in our work, I like to see myself as a different type of artist in a time when the art world has moved forward in many ways, and my work reflects that.
CAV: Does African culture influence your work and how? What else inspires you?
Eugene Ankomah: Maybe the greatest influence of African culture so far was during the period (1999-2004) where I was not only creating my Tribal Sculptures but also producing my Tribal Paintings then developing it into Tribal Performance Art. All these works and mediums looked at aspects of my African identity and my metamorphosis as a cross-cultural artist. On the whole I am inspired by many different cultures. I can get inspiration from the smallest idea or vision; it’s something I can never predict. Growing up, my favourite artists were the old masters, artists such as Rembrandt, Velazquez and Goya.
CAV: Can you tell us about your residency at Capital City Academy – how did this come about and what does it mean to take on this role?
Eugene Ankomah: The residency at Capital City came about after I was contacted by one of my old Art teachers who has been following my progress ever since I completed my A-levels. They asked me to come to the school and produce some artworks in the presence of the students and young people and hopefully get them inspired and motivated.
CAV: Were they receptive to your presence at the Academy?
Eugene Ankomah: When I started the residency, some of the students had already seen my works and had heard about me. I think for them that was the first point of inspiration. It being the first Artist Residency of its kind has been an amazing experience, working on my artworks and them seeing it unfold has sparked so much interest and enthusiasm in them, the feedback and their development has been quite unbelievable. Speaking to the students many have told me it has been a blessing my being there, which to me is fantastic to hear.
My aim is to offer them as much help as I can, give them invaluable experience, support and the fundamental skills I wish I had been given when I was their age. From the time I have been there it has been amazing to see them develop and focus on becoming better and more skilled artists who will hopefully blossom into Great Masters one day. They just have to be brave enough to work hard and be willing to take the plunge, without fear. With a positive attitude they can do anything!
Eugene Ankomah - Body + Bag
CAV: Let’s talk about your own projects now, in particular Cover-Upp which reads as a commentary on youth culture. What is the inspiration behind it?
Eugene Ankomah: Cover Upp will feature in my upcoming solo show – which is due to take place later this year. With this work I look at various issues concerning the youth today some of which include knife crime and what is happening in our society. But in terms of scope, that is just the tip of the iceberg. You need to come to the show, see the artwork for yourself and make up your own mind about its meaning.
CAV: You used Myspace to promote your art. In hindsight do you think it was a good move? How has it helped raise your profile?
Eugene Ankomah: The internet has so far being positive in many different ways. As an artist technology is something you have to adopt as a means of reaching your audience and your fans. From Myspace, YouTube to my website and blog, these sites as well as many others have without doubt helped to bring my work and progress to a whole new audience-worldwide.
Posted: Tuesday 22nd September 2009 9:50 pm
Tags: Black Arts & Heritage
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18 Responses to “Eugene Ankomah, a different kind of artist”
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Cool story, Eugene is the man!
Super talented boy, amazing works on the myspace,really cool!
This guy is inspiring!!
Good Article/interview, enjoyed it!
Wow na wa o.. this one be serious thing, i reside in Niaja (Nigeria) we done dey hear about this guy small. Make una dey tell him to come to Niaja when he pass through Ghana, be like sey he done become No.1 Artist over there now, I go support am and buy his arts stuffs and display in my house. Nobody can touch dis guy. Real deal!!!!
Kunle
To answer some of the questions:
The name of the painting with the boy drinking from the glass is entitled ‘Drunkeness’
For any enquiries regarding Sales of Eugene’s work, project and commission proposals and purchasing his pieces email info@d-finitivemedia.com
For further info on Eugene, visit:
http://www.myspace.com/eugeneankomah
You Tube: Eugene Ankomah
I really like Eugene’s work, it’s different, good article and love his picture at the top of article, very original.
Eugene actually just directed me to this article today. As I’m always badgering him for updates on his work. As always his work blows me away as does his positive and humble attitude. He is an inspiration, a gent and a good friend. I hope one day to see his work in the Tate or Royal Academy. At this rate I think it won’t be too long before that happens. Bravo my friend!
Hello heard about this from Facebook. Heeeeeeeaaaavvvvy picture!! Respect to you cos you are seriously dong big things. God bless you with everything you do you’ve got the Midas touch cos anything you touch seems to turn to pure gold. Your works are incredible and you deserve all the acclaim you receive. Great range of artworks. I’d love for you to meet my son cos I think you’d be a great inspiration to him. Please continue doing what you’re doing.
Marcus
Great interview, to be honest I personally think he is far better than Yinka Shonibare and Chris Ofili put together cos he’s way more versatile and creative and unlike both of those old skool artists I can already tell this guy has the skill, craftmanship and conceptual fresh ideas to keep his audience excited cos I’ve seen his work and it’s so diverse and original and he’s able to draw inspiration from so many different places and do something different each time definitely a different kind of artist…. And sorry but as far as I’m concerned I think Ofili and Shonibare are no longer coming up with anything different; they’re still stuck in the past. I mean where are they now?? I give those guys respect and everything but I personally think their careers are soooo over. Bring on the new generation of fresh artistic talent whether its black, white or whatever THIS GUY IS A VISIONARY period .
(oh and look out for me cos I’m studying A LEVEL Art at the moment I wanna create Art like this guy sooo badly if I could get some tips from Eugene would be really really great for me).
Stacey
The guy is not only an amazing artist but a nice person too, I actually bumped into him once whilst shopping in The King’s Road some months ago, he was friendly to me and just wanted to say hello to him and he stopped to speak to me, very very humble guy and so kind. When I asked for an autograph I wasn’t expecting him to say ‘yes’ cos I know some celebrities don’t like to BUT he gave me an autograph without hesitation which really made my day
Can’t wait to have one of his pieces in my flat one day when I can someday afford it. 
Linda
Eugene Ankomah is very inspiring indeed, with soo much work and so much variety expressed in his many styles, you can’t help but be suprised everytime!
To answere the question posed by sophie (4th comment), i will personally recommend his myspace, i look at it for updates, it http://www.myspace.com/eugeneankomah.
Eugene and i once worked on a project, a very nice guy too.
hello I live in Ghana and always google Eugene to hear about what he is now doing over there, I just saw this one, my sister is a big fan. I love this guy and feel proud to be Ghanaian and cannot wait for him to come to Ghana to have a big show in Ghana I would pay 100,000, 000 cedis for one of his works. Eugene eya-ohene!! (‘he is the king’).
Kofi
A friend told me about this article, and thought i will check it out. I have been a fan of Eugene’s work for about 5 years now and he never fails to astonish me,he is so versatile and his work so thought provoking. Always impressed by him.
Keep it up Eugene!
Very impressive achievement. Where can i see more of Eugene’s work?, any websites?.
Really enjoyed reading the article, Good to hear about him.
hi i just came across this blog when browsing, this was very interesting to read and really great to hear about this within the black community another great example for the youth to be inspired by. What is the name of the painting with the boy drinking from the glass?? AMAZING!!! truly amazing!! i was blown away, he is a great artist to be able to paint like that!! i will definitely be looking out for more of his works, kudos to Eugene you have a new fan.
Anna
Eugene Ankomah is simply an inspiration to all. All props to him,a really great artist!