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This episode of the Change Africa podcast features Selasie Gomado, founder and creative director of Artematis, a Ghanaian art collective and agency driving the continent’s artistic renaissance.

Selasei begins by tracing his early love for drawing, stifled by familial expectations to pursue engineering, a path he followed until a post-university epiphany sparked Artematis. What started as an online art shop in 2018, born from a random thought in a car ride, has grown into a dynamic collective showcasing five artists globally, from London to Hong Kong.

Selasie recounts the rocky early days—six months of no sales—until a friend’s advice to tap into Ghanaians’ love for experiences led to the first Full Moon Exhibition. With 300 attendees and a single sale, it was a modest validation that shifted Artematis toward events. The momentum of 2019 screeched to a halt with COVID-19, nearly ending the venture. But a personal brush with the virus in 2021 became a turning point. Bedridden and reflective, Selasie recommitted to managing artists full-time, quitting his engineering job after signing with Phillips Auction House for a landmark 2022 London show.

The discussion pivots to the artists of Artematis—Hawa Awanle Ayiboro, Abdur Rahman Muhammad, Kwaku Yaro, James Mishio, and Courage Hunke—each pushing boundaries with unique materials and themes. From Hawa’s vivid depictions of women’s struggles to Courage’s fusion of paper and plastic waste, Selasi highlights their growth from emerging to established talents. He reflects on the challenge of balancing structure with creative chaos, a dance he navigates with patience and an open mind.

Selasie situates Artematis within Ghana’s thriving art scene, crediting pioneers like KNUST’s arts department and galleries such as 1957 for creating “third spaces” that democratize art. Yet, he notes a persistent hurdle: local art collecting lags, with over 90% of sales to foreigners. The episode closes with a hopeful vision for African art’s future—rooted in quality, documentation, and experimentation—underscoring Selasi’s belief that its foundations are still being built.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Change Africa Podcast

01:01 Selasi Gomadu and Artomatis: A Journey into Art

03:01 The Evolution of Artomatis and Its Impact

06:01 Challenges and Triumphs in the Art Scene

09:04 Navigating the Art Market: Strategies and Insights

12:00 The Role of Community in Artist Development

15:03 Defining Great Art and the Artist's Journey

17:59 Fostering Creativity and Managing Artists

21:07 Success Stories and Growth in the Art Collective

23:47 Behind the Scenes of Art Exhibitions

26:56 Experimental Approaches in Contemporary Art

30:00 The Future of Artomatis and the Ghanaian Art Scene

35:50 Building Connections in the Art World

39:38 Challenges in the Art Industry

44:58 The Role of Galleries in Community Engagement

47:03 The Evolving Culture of Art Collection in Ghana

50:49 Supporting Artists' Mental Health

53:39 Spotlight on Emerging Artists

01:06:30 The Future of Art in Africa

Further Reading and Resources

To explore Selasi’s world further:


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