My current paintings reflect my life-long exploration of the influence of my father, but more than that they tell the story of a profound and traumatic reinvention of my own artistic practice. After being born in Ithaca (while my father was a PhD student at Cornell) I moved with my family to Ghana when I was 5 years old, where I grew up in a creative home surrounded by my father’s art and exploring my own creativity as a painter and DJ. I returned to Ithaca for high school at the age of 18, and then traveled back to Ghana as an adult. In 2010, a traumatic brain tumor left me without the use of my dominant (left) hand, and needing to use a wheelchair for mobility.
The unexpected loss of control forced me to relearn the basic mechanisms of painting as well as living. Despite initial struggles, my journey of reinvention became transformative. Inspired by my late father’s artistic legacy, I embraced the connection with my roots, allowing my artwork to flow through me. My right hand, initially weakened by the trauma, emerged as a newly-freed vessel of expression, infusing newfound fluidity and emotion into my paintings.
I returned to Ithaca in 2022 so that my son could attend college in the place where I grew up. Despite the challenges of my living circumstances being precarious at times, my artistry shines with vitality and depth. My paintings, reflecting resilience and triumph over adversity, have been showcased in intimate exhibitions and renowned institutions like the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and most recently The Cherry Gallery in Ithaca. From grappling with physical challenges to becoming a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit, my story is a powerful narrative of perseverance and artistic evolution.
Studio Location Details and Accessibility:
Arthur will be in the community room at “Founders Way” This location is fully wheelchair accessible.