BIOGRAPHY
A self-taught artist, and strongly influenced by traditional African Art and avante-garde fashion, Dela Anyah’s rubber tyre tube tapestries and sculptural compositions often draw from his religious upbringing and Ewe culture; tenderly depicting his reflections on rebirth and identity and their intersections throughout his personal journey. He was born, lives and works in Accra, Ghana.
He began making pictures as a child in Accra, drawing landscapes and later cartoons behind the notebooks of his classmates as a means of expressing himself and telling stories. In 2018, after partaking in an open call by Alliance Français d'Accra to create artwork for the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” for which he was shortlisted; the artist began a deep study on traditional African art, finding inspiration in African textile art and the use of found objects as an artistic medium.
Dela Anyah has since the genesis of his creative journey been featured in group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Specifically, Art Retrospective at the Alliance Français in 2017 and Exhibition of Ghanaian Artists Works at iArt Gallery Tbilissi, Georgia in 2018 respectively.
His growth as an artist set the foundation for a prolific execution of solo exhibitions of his series Beauty from Chaos which began in 2018 and 2019 at the Canadian High Commission and Antique Lemonade Art Space.
In 2022, he served as an Artist in Residence at the Noldor Artist Residency in Ghana and was a Semi-finalist for the Art x Prize in Lagos. In 2023, he came in as the 2nd Runner for the Kuenyehia Prize.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 The Dreamers Cocoon, The Noldor Residency Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series, Canadian High Commission Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series + MMIWG, Canadian High Commissioner’s Residence Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: New Slaves, Hope City Church Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Minutes Before A Heartbreak, Antique Lemonade Art Space Accra, Ghana
2018 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series, Antique Lemonade Art Space Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series, Canadian High Commission Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series + MMIWG, Canadian High Commissioner’s Residence Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: New Slaves, Hope City Church Accra, Ghana
2019 Beauty from Chaos: Minutes Before A Heartbreak, Antique Lemonade Art Space Accra, Ghana
2018 Beauty from Chaos: Abuse Series, Antique Lemonade Art Space Accra, Ghana
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Kuenyehia Prize, The Mix Design Hub Accra, Ghana
2018 Elimination of violence Against Women and Girls, Alliance Français Accra, Ghana
2018 Exhibition of Ghanaian Artists Works, iArt Gallery Tbilissi, Georgia
2017 Art Retrospective, Alliance Français Accra, Ghana
2018 Elimination of violence Against Women and Girls, Alliance Français Accra, Ghana
2018 Exhibition of Ghanaian Artists Works, iArt Gallery Tbilissi, Georgia
2017 Art Retrospective, Alliance Français Accra, Ghana
AWARDS
2023 2nd Runner Up: Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art
2022 Semi-Finalist: Art X Prize
2022 Semi-Finalist: Art X Prize
ART RESIDENCY
2022 The Noldor Residency Accra, Ghana
COLLECTIONS
The Institute Museum of Ghana Accra, Ghana
Sir David Adjaye Collection New York | London | Accra
Canadian High Commission Accra
Isshaq Foundation Accra
Sir David Adjaye Collection New York | London | Accra
Canadian High Commission Accra
Isshaq Foundation Accra