Pointilism
(Amatoritsero Ede in conversation with Betty Acquah)
Maple Tree Literary Supplement -issue17
Literature and the Arts
Amatoritsero Ede: Betty, thank you; it is a pleasure to have you on MTLS. First how would you describe your style? I am referring specifically to the technique in the series to which your pieces titled ‘Chromatic Shards’ belong. The style reminds me of Pointilism.
Betty Acquah: The pleasure is mine. Thank you for having me.
You are right! I use the pointillist technique for my oil and acrylic paintings. Pointillism is known to have begun in France during the Neo-Impressionist era. It is the application of small strokes or dots of colour to a surface such that they appear to blend at a distance.
The same principle is seen in a colour photograph when viewed through a magnifying glass, and also similar to how pixels behave on a computer screen.
A.E.: Is there a philosophical concept behind your art and in your approach?
B.A.: I always say I am still in the process of forming a philosophy. For now, I simply follow where my heart leads me. When the philosophy behind my work is fully formed, I promise you will be one of the first to know!
A.E.: How do you achieve the aesthetic arrest that is so strongly evident in your work; they are so rich and energetic. What is your creative process?
B.A.: It came through a bit of experimentation. Our third year at the university saw all students trying to come up with unique styles. I had previously been drawn to the works of the French Impressionists. In fact, I fell in love with the drawings and paintings of Pierre Agustine Renoir. George Seurat’s work was interesting, except I found it a bit too still for my liking. Being a dancer, I thought of creating more movement and excitement by modifying the same principles Seurat used. He said the elements of painting could be used to portray calmness, sadness, happiness and other emotions. I normally begin my work with a little sketch of the subject matter in my sketchpad. I place different colours at random on my nicely primed canvas. Then I give it second coat of one particular colour depending on the theme. I then transfer my sketch onto the canvas by making tiny, almost invisible, dots with a darkish colour. In my work, I scatter brushstrokes in all directions, often painting subject matter and background simultaneously. However, I do follow a specific rhythm and always careful not to lose concentration.
A.E.: Could you give us insights into your beginning and development as an artist?
B.A.: Growing up in Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana, I somehow knew instinctively that I was going to be an artist. Right from nursery school, I used to draw things that got my teachers, family and friends interested in my work. On entering the College of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, I almost veered into Textile Design as my major, but my lecturers would have none of it! So they managed to persuade me to undertake Painting instead and I ended up with a First Class in my B. A. (Hons) Art. I later went back to the same university to complete an M. F. A. in Painting after a professional Art course at the Tokyo School of Art in Japan. I also worked at the Centre for National Culture and Berj Art Galleries both in Accra, Ghana before settling down to freelance painting in my own studio.
A.E.: What drew you to art?
B.A.: It is difficult for me to tell how I was drawn to art, because as I said, I have been in it for as long as I can remember! Having said that, I must add I loved to gaze at artworks, be they in books or real. I also found other artists and their works very fascinating!
A.E.: If any, what has been the role of exhibitions in your growth as an artist?
B.A.: My first solo exhibition was at PAFAM ’90 (Pan African Festival of Arts and Music) which was held at the Trade Fair grounds in Accra. It was quickly followed by another one at the then AMAHEMA Art Gallery. I later joined a four-man show which featured already famous Ghanaian painters, Amon Kotei (who was the designer of the Coat of Arms of Ghana), Professor Ablade Glover (now owner of the Artists Alliance Gallery) and Tafa Fiadzigbe (who now lives and paints in the U. S. A.). My works have also been exhibited in India, Japan, Nigeria, Spain , U.K., U. S. A. etc. I must say, all the above exhibitions have helped me greatly by boosting interest in, and bringing my work to the attention of those who like them.
A.E.: What is the art scene like in Ghana?
B.A.: The Ghanaian art scene looks promising indeed. There are many artists with unique styles and there is great potential for Ghanaians themselves to start collecting. The challenge is to get the whole industry up and running; galleries, museums, middle men, Art magazines etc!
A.E.: How can Canadian art lovers acquire your work?
B.A.: The best places to view my works are at the Artist Alliance or Tiga African Art Galleries in Ghana. Both Galleries can be reached by phone, online or by email: +233-245251404; www.artistsallianz.com and +233-20780460; atigerlil300@hotmail.com respectively. Also Jayne During in the U.S.A. will soon start selling my works as well.
A.E.: Thank you for taking the time away from your easel to talk to us.
B.A.: I am totally honoured to have taken part in this conversation. Thank you very much!
It was fun working with you, Betty. Thanks for your great art.
Thank you very much MTLS for giving me your platform to show my works. I believe this this will help catapult my work into greater prominence based on the all the comments and reports I am receiving from all over.
I believe there are greater blessings in store for you too.
Thanks Amatoritsero for a job well done!
Betty Aquah, am so impressed with your work and what a gift and talent you have. Even more proud to know one of our own from Cape Coast is doing a fantastic job.
Love your works. It is a class. would love to see a painting of my wife and I..lol. Sad no one in the family aside you is with such amazing talent. keep it up.
I studied Graphic Design and minored in Art History, so art has always been part of my life. I’ve seen good art and I’ve seen not so good. Betty’s work is amazing. For me, the work has to speak to me and show me part of the painter’s soul. Betty does that. She has taken old ways of exploration in Impressionism and Post Impressionism and breathed new life into them with her style. She not only has a burning desire to understand and express light, she is also concerned with expressing the joy and humanity of her people in Ghana. I am fortunate to have a life in Ghana, although I am American. Her work brings up everything I cherish about Ghana. Betty Acquah is a painter to watch.
Thanks Pst. Charles always appreciate your words!
Awww Dennis, this could be a concise summary of my aspirations! Thanks and hope to meet you in June.
this is amazing… really love this.. keep it up Aunt Betty.
Many thanks Nana Acquah. But let’s not lose hope just yet, because the little ones are coming along real fast. Who knows!
Thanks dear, I will forge on thanks to MTLS too!
We used to have one of your paintings in our living room. It’s a painting of a beach in Cape Coast. I loved that painting. When I came back from Nigeria, it wasn’t there any longer. Your works are masterpiece. It’s so unfortunate I don’t know anything about drawing, but I would name your arts ‘CLASSICAL ARTS’ just as Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, Handel and others with classical music. Congrats Mama Betty, we would also follow your steps.
Oh yes, I remember that painting very well. It was one of my earlier works. I am sure your Daddy will know its whereabouts because he kept it very well.
Thanks so much for your words of inspiration and hopefully, somewhere in the future, these paintings will be added to the masterpieces according to your word! Hahaha 🙂