Ghana Artist Brings Work To Heights Libraries

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Heights Libraries are hosting a rare art exhibit this month, highlighting the work of an artist who nearly wasn't. Kwesiagyare's paintings are on display until September 14 at the Lee Road branch's art gallery.

Nana Kwesi Agyare Ansah's — known by his signature, Kwesiagyare— path to art was ragged and torturous. Born in Ghana, his parents discouraged him from pursuing a career in painting. The state offered no sponsorships, no grants and actively looked down on creatives.

"As an artist, you have to struggle to survive. You are relegated to the back," Kwesiagyare told Patch.

The struggle to survive, the impotent rage at having to sell paintings for cheap to make ends meet, the condescension of family and friends and strangers all makes its way into Kwesiagyare's work. It fuels his colors and shapes.

"I love to paint when I’m upset. I think it’s the only way I can express my pain. My best paintings come out when I’m really down. Art in itself is my therapy," he said.

Inspired by the works of Picasso and the impressionists, Kwesiagyare said each of his paintings carry a message. He painted during his divorce, he painted when his luggage was stolen in Dubai, he paints whenever the ills of the world congeal around him.

He hasn't found many reasons to be upset since landing in Cleveland.

During one of his excursions into the city, he visited the Cleveland Museum of Art. It sent him reeling.

"You have invested so much into art," he said. "When I visited the Cleveland Institute of Art, it blew me away. It was awesome. People were being supported by an institution. If I was here, I would be much happier."

When Kwesiagyare's run in the U.S. ends, he plan on returning to Ghana. He would like to eventually set up a school for artists, to teach them how to market and sell their paintings, to show them there is a chance for a life in art.

"Painting is a universal language and everyone should have a chance to speak it," he said.