Artistry forms part of culture where it is portrayed in paintings, music, designs among others. The aspect of art that will be focused in this article is the art of paintings. In the 1503’s till date in Europe, works of renowned artist such as Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, William de Kouning, Paul Cezannne among others,portrayed their incredible life stories and culture. Even though the paintings inspired people from around the world to view the art galaries at meseums in Europe, money, which is an integral tool for every business was gained massively where prominent people bought paintings for an expensive price. For instance, “Mona Lisa” art painting by Leonardo da Vinci was bought worth 500 million USD. Can Ghana artistry go this far?
Ebenezer takes up the challenge that his business relating to art and paintings can do well,not locally, but internationally as well.
Ebenezer Yakubu Mohammed is a Ghanaian artist and founder of Rising Arts Ghana Initiative,
aimed at building grounds for communities to engage fruitfully with Art. Born and raised in the urban
region of Greater Accra, he lives and practises Art by hosting and coordinating artists to mount
sustainable art projects which better represents the Artist as a socially related individual.
Since the formation of Rising Arts, Ebenezer has mounted nine different art projects and managed the projects
of 12 different artists working in different media and genres. Currently, he’s running an Art studio in Accra
(Rising Art Studios) and encouraging people to practise the Art of expression, a therapeutic approach with
Art and building several relationships with ne art.
In an interview with him he shares his experience, challenges, achievements and his perspective of the of financial sustainability in art as a profession.
Ebenezer analyzed artistry in Ghana as something that is portrayed by people in the country. He says,
“Art in Ghana is reection of ourselves, everyone is playing a role knowingly or unknowingly. I believe the moment
we see art as an expression and not just paint on canvas, we are likely to achieve the full potential of art on the
right areas of every industry. As a country, we are yet to fully uncover and understand the principles of art though a few strives have been made by able predecessors.”
Share your experience with your business. The good and the bad?
“Personally I think just as every journey, there’s the ups and the downs. The most down moments are those that
you’re denied audience for your proposed projects. Some people feel there are more important things to
attend to than listen to a young man tell them how art can improve a situation. On the other hand, the really
moment is when you take about a month to clinically draw a project and execute to see the satisfaction and
the possible impacts.”
Now, to the main focus of the subject matter, is artisty work profitable to you?
“Yes Art is protable, and is an area I would encourage investors to look at because there are still a number of
lucrative opportunities.”
How did your business survive during the intense nature of covid-19?
“The impact of COVID was actually felt on the areas of demands, as in areas where clients have to make orders
or demand for a service because people were too careful to spend, how ever our business thrived on using arts
to ease up the stress of being at home for extremely long hours and wanting an escape with something new, so
we netuned our Paint sessions and offered to give people the therapeutic side of art. It helped both nancially
and psychologically.”
How do manage your finances?
“A nancially stable routine is important when you’re running projects and managing resources. Just like every
other resource, funds need to be properly worked with else, you will go down really quick. The right attitude of
saving and reinvesting into the right areas and people secures you enough.”
For your employees to be financially stable, how do you do that?
“It important to communicate with your team from time to time, to help you effectively understand the progress
of work and sometimes the potentials ahead. Encouraging everyone to properly manage funds is a key thing to
do as a leader, just so you are not over burdened by the mismanagement of funds by your team members. A
constant discussion and advisory around nance is often in our discussions.”
Who are your target audiences?
Well, as it stands now our target audience is wide, ranging from 4 years old young to the aged, because we
are more focussed on a clear impact of understanding art.
“Yes Art is protable, and is an area I would encourage investors to look at because there are still a number of
lucrative opportunities.”
Ebenezer Yakubu Mohammed – Artist.
What inspired you to do venture into art painting business?
I’m heavily inspired by people, their reaction towards every single work we put out there, also the goal of changing
the narrative about art also inspires me from time to time.
Do you believe you can reach higher heights of going international? If yes, what are you doing towards it?
“Yes we can. I mean the sky is a stepping stone”. As it stands now, we working on some research project dubbed “Propagating The Gallery Of The Future.” Hopefully it should help us navigate what the options are for us artists in the coming times. “
What advise would you give to youths out there conserning arts and financial management?
“Saving culture. We need to be able to save alot and know what to invest in at what point in time. Study your wavelength and understand the things that draw people to you, some are your angel investors, some are your advisors, some are your paying clients. Serve them deligently.”
Ebenezer in his interview shows that art paintings are profitable and will only be successful if the business finances is managed well. The consideration of creativity, hardwork, passion, determination, self discipline and financial management in this type of business can enable Ghana to become a spotlight notable for best art works produced around the world. Ebenazer gives inspiration and hope to himself and to others through his arts programs and believe that people or investors from around the world can also invest in his art and appreciate what art is.
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