African female artists are essential voices in the global art community, offering unique perspectives, challenging stereotypes, and enriching cultural discourse. Their art reflects the complexities of African societies, addressing issues such as identity, gender, race, politics, and social justice.

Through their work, they debunk one-dimensional portrayals and offer nuanced representations of African realities. Their presence in the art world serves as a source of empowerment and inspiration for other women and girls, both within Africa and globally. By seeing themselves represented in art, they are encouraged to pursue their artistic aspirations.

Communa magazine had a conversation with Efua Osei, one of the African artists who uses her work and platform as a voice for African women, addressing issues with their work. When I reached out to her, her first response was “It sounds like you’re on to something beautiful. I only had to see that you’re trying to push women artists to be sold. We need all the exposure we can get. I would be very happy to participate.” It made me feel happier to work with her, as her interest already aligns with the purpose of this interview series.

Efua Osei is a Ghanaian artist who combines traditional and digital art to host space for black women representation, Africanism, and marginalized communities. With a passion for social change, she weaves her vision into captivating artwork, boldly embracing unconventional colors to spark meaningful conversation. Through her vibrant art, she envisions a world where colors transcend boundaries, and where marginalized groups don't exist anymore.

You can find her @efuasei on all social media.

Asking Efua questions, I was able to understand how she started as an artist, what art means to her, her challenges, and inspiration.

Communa: Let’s talk about you! What was your first interaction with art? How did art shape you?

Efua: I grew up with my pencil in hand, I was as little as maybe 4 /5 when I started drawing. I cannot begin to explain how art shaped me but I can say my art has always been my safe space.

Communa: Getting started, you must have been inspired by someone or something. Who do you look up to for motivation and inspiration? How do you stay motivated enough to create consistently?

Efua: I have been a science student all my life. Art has just always been a part of me. I look up to all the greats. My favorite Ghanaian artist is Bright Ackwerh. But he does a different kind of art from what I do. I think I am my biggest motivation. I push myself to create every day because art is the most important thing to me right now.

Communa: In the art industry, are there any limitations imposed on female artists, and if so, how do you navigate and overcome them? If not, could you share your experiences and insights regarding the inclusivity and opportunities available for female artists?

Efua: Honestly, I have been a full-time artist for 2 months. I am in my third month now. I have not yet been placed in a position where I could share consequential experiences. However, the biggest opportunities I have gotten have been from women in the industry. I worked with adventuresfrom.com, a woman-led web blog. I also had the opportunity to exhibit my art with the Ria Boss, singer, and songwriter. Maybe I can answer this question properly if you ask me again a year from now.

Communa: Let’s talk about goals. How do you plan and set your goals? What are your long-term and short-term goals as an artist?

Efua: Long term goal- I hope to be a celebrated Ghanaian artist.

Communa: Painting requires passion, creativity, dedication, and a whole lot more than meets the eye. What have been the 3 biggest challenges you faced when you started painting? And, how did you overcome those challenges?

Efua: As a creative, your state of mind directly affects your output. My biggest challenge has been trying to maintain a state of equipoise, to not be triggered by the regular occurrences around me. It has been a struggle but so far so good. I overcome this challenge by surrounding myself with positive people, good music, and meditation. There is also the thing with pleasing clients who are never satisfied. But that is a story for another day. There really are no laid down rules for dealing with this. As an artist, you have to just make sure to have several discussions with the client, before you start the work. Transparency helps too.

Communa: We would like to know what a day in your life looks like. What time of the day are you more creative and how many hours a day do you spend working on a piece?

Efua: I am at my creative best at dawn hours. Say, after 1 am. There is a certain peace your mind experiences when the hustle and bustle of the world dies down. I spend a lot of time in a day painting. I cannot exactly state a particular number. Maybe 10 hours.

Communa: Some people believe that all art comes with hidden or deeper messages, do you believe that to be true? What message do you think your art communicates?

Efua: My art has no one message. Unless I am trying to bring awareness to a very specific topic, I mostly make art for the fun of it, I still am on a path of self-discovery as an artist. Once again, ask me this in a year or two.

Communa: There are moments in every artist's journey where the act of showing up can feel like a challenge. Have you ever found yourself in that moment where the thought of giving up on your art seemed like an option?

Efua: Fortunately giving up is not an option for me. I don’t think it will ever be. My art is my life,

Communa: Thank you so much for your answers. Do you have any special resources/offers to share? Where and how can we connect with you?

Efua: For anyone looking to get into a painting of any kind. YouTube is always a good place to start. Just do it. You can find me @efuasei on all platforms. My email address is also efuasei@gmail.

Communa: Final question, If you were not an artist, what would you be?

Efua Osei: I would have been a professor in the crop sciences. Thank you.

Art by Efua Osei: