Emmanuel Asante is a visual artist residing in Western Sydney, I caught up with him a couple of weeks after he’d won the Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts & Cultural Development at the 2024 Creative Australia Awards (formerly known as Australia Council for the Arts).
Naturally, I was eager to share my congratulations with Emmanuel. The prestigious award he’d just received is an accolade presented by Creative Australia, recognising individuals who show exceptional leadership in community arts and cultural development. Named after Kirk Robson, an advocate for using the arts to promote social change and inclusion, the award celebrates those who use their artistic creativity to strengthen community connections and inspire progress.
Emmanuel revealed that winning the Kirk Robson Award was one of the best feelings he’d had as an artist; “I’m a dreamer and it’s a dream to have my work recognised. I also want to be an example for people of colour, to prove we can achieve this so when I heard I was a winner, it was a pinch me moment. I’d won a nationwide award – for the whole of Australia!”
We proceeded to talk about his journey from Ghana to Australia, and his journey as an artist.
“I’m a migrant. I came from Ghana in April 2015 and I was always told art couldn’t take me anywhere. There’s a stereotype about there being no income in art so I was just doing it for fun, not for a career. I must give a big shoutout to my art teacher: she gave me the confidence to go into the art industry, so I always have to give her the credit for pushing me in this direction”. Acknowledging the support from his family, Emmanuel names his mum, his sister and his grandmother as being key to his success, sharing “they have been with me since day one. They always believed in me. They were always there.”
Emmanuel affirms that his cultural background is critical to his art. When we spoke, he recounted memories of Ghana, sitting in the compound around a bonfire sharing stories with his family; “my heritage is storytelling and folktales and coming to Australia, I didn’t want to lose that. Throughout my artwork, I scatter symbols from my country and my tribe, the Akan people.” The adinkra symbols Emmanuel refers to are visual motifs traditionally used in a wide variety of mediums, such as textiles, pottery, and architecture. Signifying concepts such as beauty, security and love, each symbol has a unique name and meaning and they’re recognised for their decorative appeal and celebration of Ghanaian heritage and identity.
Speaking about his mental health, Emmanuel expressed that art has been a coping mechanism for him, specifically assisting him through anxiety and depression; “I started my art journey as a way to find solace during hard times. Art makes me feel like everything will be ok”. It is clear art plays a multi-faceted role in Emmanuel’s life, as though it acts as a healer, it also brings him great inspiration. “Art continues to inspire me to this day. Us artists have so many ideas in our minds, and trying to convey them all onto one canvas can be a problem!”
Emmanuel is lucky to have several mentors that have helped him sharpen his craft. Having access to the genius of the contemporary artist, Abdul Abdullah, has continuously inspired Emmanuel, as well as others such as Safdar Ahmed, his collaborator at the Refugee Art Project, and the skilled illustrator, Anton Pulvirenti, whom he calls a good friend. Emmanuel names these men as his three core mentors; “they push me to the next level”.
Beyond individuals, Emmanuel draws inspiration from his communities, “my core stance is to always be surrounded by community. Community gives me a clear view about how to live in harmony”. Specific groups Emmanuel engages with include the Refugee Art Project, where he amplifies the voices of displaced individuals through art workshops and We Are Studios, where he brings his unique perspective to projects that empower artists with disabilities. “The groups share a common goal, which is love and equality. Not only have they shaped my art, but also my social skills. Whilst we are considering the lives of refugees or people with disabilities, we are speaking human to human.”
Asking how our Welcome Merchant audience can continue to support Emmanuel’s incredible art, he voiced that “Welcome Merchant is always giving me opportunities and putting me out there, so I pray and wish they continue doing so. Sharing my work, giving me a like, anything that gives me exposure is great”. Follow Emmanuel’s Instagram here, as well as his Facebook page to keep updated with his projects, including his upcoming solo show focusing on everyday life in Western Sydney. If you’d like to learn more about Emmanuel, you can also find him on our YouTube channel.