Creating Space: Ekow Eshun's Impact on the Cultural Landscape

Ceri sat down with Ekow Eshun, a creative director, writer, curator, and broadcaster, to discuss his personal journey and creative purpose. Ekow's story of growing up in Ghana and returning to a racially charged Britain in the 1970s is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. He talks the importance of studying politics and history, and shares the publication that had a profound impact on his life. Ekow's candid discussion of the emotional ability and confidence required to speak and question his own thoughts is truly inspiring. He also talks about his current work as a curator, including an upcoming exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Ekow reflects on the satisfaction and joy he finds in following his curiosity and providing spaces for black artists to be seen and heard. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Ekow's creative purpose stems from his early experiences of living in Ghana and returning to 1970s Britain, where he witnessed the marginalization and dismissal of people of colour.

2. Ekow's choice to study politics and history at the London School of Economics was a strategic move to stay in London and be part of the exciting cultural scene of the late 1980s.

3. Ekow's confidence and ability to have a public opinion and speak on various platforms comes from his extensive research and reading, which allows him to have a well-informed perspective on different topics.

4. Ekow's curatorial work, such as the upcoming exhibition "The Time is Always Now, Artists Reframe the Black Figure," focuses on black figuration and aims to shift the perspective from objectification to subjectivity, inviting viewers to see through the eyes of the artists and their subjects.

5. Ekow finds joy and fulfilment in his creative career by following his curiosity, connecting different aspects of his interests, and using his work as a way to navigate and challenge societal norms and expectations.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I felt very strongly from an early age that unless I found a way to make my own voice heard, then all you're doing is living within someone else's definition of who you are."

2. "The joy, therefore, is to follow the threads backwards to unravel that thing and to see also where else it can lead you."

3. "I'm interested in artists of all kinds who begin from a presumption that sit within and without that… They're trying to both interrogate the world and offer another way of seeing the world."

4. "So Noah Davis' 1975, it's a blissful painting, but it sits on Ford Proud… Many of the things I do follow on from each other."

5. "The first piece I wrote for The Face magazine… It was about these particular shoes that had kind of returned to popularity… It gave me this kind of validation that you could walk down the street, see something, sell a story on that basis."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand