Dr Bernard Akoi-Jackson, an artist and lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has highlighted the importance of African identity and cultural history in shaping his artistic practice.
Speaking on Franco Vibes with host Rev. Erskine during a discussion on “Creative Crossroads: Exploring Art and Cultural Exchange”, Dr Akoi-Jackson said his work draws inspiration from the ideas of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, particularly his reflections on the African personality.
He also credited his academic supervisor and mentor, Kąrî’kạchä Seid’ou, with influencing his understanding of African identity and how it can be explored and represented through art.
Dr Akoi-Jackson explained that his creative expression reflects the diverse cultural influences that have shaped African societies, including indigenous traditions, Arab influences and Western Christian traditions.
He said he deliberately incorporates these historical and cultural intersections into his clothing, using his personal style as another medium through which to communicate ideas about identity and history.
“The things that I wear speak to history. They speak to people trying to grapple with the identity that they have sort of made for themselves,” he said.
With a background in painting, Dr Akoi-Jackson said his artistic practice extends beyond conventional painting to encompass performance and other multidisciplinary forms of expression.
He added that art provides a platform for examining questions of identity and exploring how people understand and relate to their cultural backgrounds.
His approach underscores the role of artistic expression in interrogating African identity, exploring the continent’s complex cultural influences and encouraging broader conversations about its history and heritage.