Mo

The 5th subject from my artists series is Moh Awudu for me the strongest contemporary muralists in West Africa and founder of @GhanaGraffiti collective.

When I last visited Ghana two decades ago, the only artwork I remember seeing in the streets was sign painting and barbershop signs. Today It’s beautiful to see a developing graffiti and street art scene here. I first came across Moh’s work via pics online of his interactive street performances at the annual @chalewoteofficial street art festival.

Moh is from the 441 area of Nima in Accra, Ghana. Historically Nima has a negative reputation and with the negative perception of Islam globally, Moh does not shy away from addressing pertinent issues such as violence, crime, poverty, lack of education, poor sanitation and child abuse. He uses art as a platform to tell Ghanas story, with the intention of provoking discussion that will lead to solutions. Ghana is a peacful place with a rich history..however Moh often presents a forward facing and futuristic vision of Africa, with depictions of strong focusued females, flying taxis and multistorey solarpowered buildings, utilising Africa’s rich natural resources. He says he is not concerened soley with aesthetics but rather uses social commentary as a vehicle to educate the public about social problems. He runs free workshops to inspire kids in his local community giving them the oppotunities he feels he didn’t have growing up. He is a mentor to many young people and it’s fantastic to see some kind of apprentiship going on with a few of them.

Moh started making art in ’96 and was one of the first to start airbrushing on T-shirts and clothing in Ghana. Today he makes a living from commissions and traditional paintings. He has also developed live art performances, collaborating with other creatives at events and festivals.

It as an honour to be invited into Ghana Graffiti and to paint a piece together..Im looking forward to building some more with my bro in the near future.
Meda w’ase papaapa nua ?