Today we’d like to introduce you to Derick Nana Mbrah

Hi Derick, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

From the centre of the world on the Green Which Meridian in the harbour and industrial city of Ghana, on Wednesday 30 September 1981 a child was born a son was given.

my name is Derick nana Mbrah am self-thought artist i was born bread in the centre of the world Tema to be precise in the greater Accra region of Ghana ,growing up in the industrial city of Ghana where everything is environmentally busy i found and nurtured my God given talent. At a very tender age i discovered my ability in creativity learning from skilled people around me, i focused my Self practically doing every handy work from basket weaving, carpentry, masonry painting to name a few.

love being by myself at early age i spent all those quiet and cool time by my self-creating from empty boxes to empty tins, i used tins and boxes to build houses and cars and cooking utensils to play with and whiles sometimes i stay indoor that’s where my energy is channelled on drawing so through the passage of time i took it upon myself to master the skill of art.

I have a passion for colours and paint it makes me happy and it agitates me to do something even the smell of paint inspires me to paint all the time.

drawing from newspapers, Bible story books, school textbooks i challenged myself to be good at what i can do any moment i get the opportunity. In school i was always asked to draw images from the textbooks unto card boards and it will be used to teach the whole class and other classes as well and that did create a very big influence in my life.

I am very determined with what i do so i stay focused and meditate, as i rise i give thanks for life pray love and mercy and ask for wisdom and understanding.

I admire life so i get excited when i awake and hear nature, the birds the cock crowing people making moves the sounds of talking and cars and plane the birds chipping and singing and the sun shining through my window all this attributes to my inspirations and fulfils my aspirations and brings out the creativity in me.

i  came i saw and i conquered my mission is to inspire, elevate and motivate to encourage and bring understanding to the people of the four corners of the world with healing  through my art works whiles my art beautifies your homes and surroundings.

I do murals ,hand painted clothing, canvas works i work with both acrylics and oil paints ceiling art, contemporary art and body painting, portraits, abstract. I evolve, manifest and brings my imagination into reality. art has really help me defined myself and know my worth and role to play on this earth. doing art really helps me to talk about my feelings and it has been playing a vital role in my life as it is one of the best medications i administer and can share with the world.My work is rooted in contemporary art, where I blend found objects and expressive colours to create highly engaging visual narratives. My goal is to visually represent my experiences by exploring the nuances of modern life and its diverse components. I look beyond the rational to access the emotional, spiritual, and material aspects of life, to recreate the complexity and vibrancy of everyday life. My work is inspired by moments of joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and passion, imbuing the work with a sense of power and energy. I seek to provoke a wide range of interpretations and reactions, prompting dialogue while nurturing curiosity and engagement.

I create multifaceted interpretations of environment, culture, and time. By creating my artwork, I hope to draw attention to the fluidity of history, the interconnectivity of notions and identities, and the value of our collective memory. By inspiring my audience to reflect on our shared experiences, my artwork aims to empower us, connecting us with ourselves and each other.
My artwork speaks to my experience with urban life and how it intersects with nature. I utilize vibrant colours and bold textures to create works of art that display my beliefs on colour theory and the cyclical nature of human experience. With my work I aim to inspire a sense of connection between people and their environment. Above all, I aspire to use my art as a tool to provoke thoughts and individual interpretations.
My art is a reflection of my identity as an artist and the culture that I come from. My work looks at the dualities of life and explores themes of politics, history and identity. By employing a range of mediums such as oils and acrylics, my artwork presents a modern aesthetic that touches on the subtle nuances of life. Through my works, I hope to capture my viewers’ attention and evoke emotion. I strive to create pieces that stimulate conversations on contemporary issues and provide insights on cross cultural dynamics.
In my artwork I seek to explore the boundaries between human expression and the physical world; look to challenge preconceived notions of beauty, contrast, and the way we experience our environment. I am interested in the concept of transformation, and how we are shaped by our experiences. My artwork invites viewers to explore the complexities of our ever-changing modern age, to embrace the beauty of imperfection, and to share in the power of individual discovery.
Art is life, life is art

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Harder the battle sweeter the victory
Growing up and living in an environment that does not recognize art as career to earn good money to feed the family it has been a great struggle a tag of war, growing in such a society where you have to go down below your limit sometimes to be able to get some painting work to do, i tend to paint rooms and houses for a living and once in a while i get to paint some signs boards and some saloons and shops to get my daily bread not to mention painting inside some ones toilet and they come and knock to use the toilet and you have to go in right back to continue your painting hmm such a song to sing, gone are the days thanks be to Jah is not easy today as well but through persistence and the love i have for art in terms of what i do and can do i do it to the best of my ability to create an impact on the minds of my clients and people who pass by where my art can be seen or found.
those where the days when there was no computer to print signs and images, now with all this digital machines out there it is more challenging today to get any of those works that the graphic designer can easily do with their computer and printing machines, but through it all a true artist is never deterred by any form of tool or art work, I kept and keep on painting my own collections which in the passage of time i started focusing on T-shirt paintings and mural paintings of which has played a significant rule in my life till now and sometimes i have to do some carpentry works as well and contributing ideas towards projects like lounge, pub and other entertainment activities to earn extra money as i do possess the knowledge of doing so naturally. Sometimes you are compelled to sell your art at a lower price to enable you sell a piece of art ,not having links to whom and where to take your art too and not having much knowledge about online art business and so on is very hard as well to sell your art online except sometimes you get people on social media like Facebook on your friend list who sees and knows the beauty in your art and commissions you to paint something for them of which is not often.
Through the Grace of the Most High Divine I have been able to endure all this hardship by believing me and what I can do and giving thanks to the Higher one of creation for Divine mercies and recommendations I have been able to get to this extend and through the participating of vending and exhibitions it has brought a great change into my art career and through upliftment and encouragement I keep my head high above the waters. through out this precious life I can’t give the fight as a full time artist doing nothing to earn money beside art I aim to create more meaningful and related art works that observers may see and relate to and find themselves in my art so I just create paint, paint and paint till some one comes and sees what they want from what I have.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

My work is rooted in contemporary art, where I blend found objects and expressive colours to create highly engaging visual narratives. My goal is to visually represent my experiences by exploring the nuances of modern life and its diverse components. I look beyond the rational to access the emotional, spiritual, and material aspects of life, to recreate the complexity and vibrancy of everyday life. My work is inspired by moments of joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and passion, imbuing the work with a sense of power and energy. I seek to provoke a wide range of interpretations and reactions, prompting dialogue while nurturing curiosity and engagement.
My artwork speaks to my experience with urban life and how it intersects with nature. I utilize vibrant colours and bold textures to create works of art that display my beliefs on colour theory and the cyclical nature of human experience. With my work I aim to inspire a sense of connection between people and their environment. Above all, I aspire to use my art as a tool to provoke thoughts and individual interpretations.
I create multifaceted interpretations of environment, culture, and time. By creating my artwork, I hope to draw attention to the fluidity of history, the interconnectivity of notions and identities, and the value of our collective memory. By inspiring my audience to reflect on our shared experiences, my artwork aims to empower us, connecting us with ourselves and each other.

My art is a reflection of my identity as an artist and the culture that I come from. My work looks at the dualities of life and explores themes of politics, history and identity. By employing a range of mediums such as oils and acrylics, my artwork presents a modern aesthetic that touches on the subtle nuances of life. Through my works, I hope to capture my viewers’ attention and evoke emotion. I strive to create pieces that stimulate conversations on contemporary issues and provide insights on cross cultural dynamics. what excits me is when an empty wall space is presented to me and after couple of hours or days i transform that place tosomething more engaging and inspiring

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

There is always room to learn but time and place waits for no one don’t try to do just do it whiles you can visions are like a passing river when been giving to you and you don’t use it it passes away and moves on to another only for you to see and know one day and say oh i knew this or i wanted to do this because had i known i always at last. don’t look down on yourself due to another man’s progress in the same field but always love and feel and be proud of what you can do when given the chance it been on a paper or canvas or wall just do you both ugly and beauty makes the world astonishing and the world is big out there create your mark set your pace and let your works be known and so you will e known.
there is a time and place for everything and everyone who tries under the sun your time will come.

Pricing:

• $300
• $500
• $800
• $1500
• $2000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.biafarin.com/p/artist.html?name=derick-nana
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tafari_artworld?igsh=eWx5MGRlZTR0dTUz
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• Twitter: https://x.com/TArtworld