Jemima Fosua Amoafo Gaisie, known in the art space as JesuisJemimaa, is a self-taught digital artist with a background in photo manipulation and digital illustrations, based in Tema, Ghana. Her creative journey began during the pandemic when she started learning mobile photography using Picsart. Over time, her art evolved into what it is today, making more complex imagery illustrations using Photoshop and other Adobe Illustration tools. She started a series where she will be using Ghana as a muse, exploring the landmarks and popular places in her art form.
In celebration of Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary, she’s outdoors a a new series, “Ghanaian Historical Figures: Stamp of History”, reimagining iconic figures using Photoshop and making them into postage stamps. We had a conversation with Jemima where she spoke about the ideas behind these iconic postage stamps using some of our favourite iconic Ghanaian legends reimagined in Photoshop.
A brief information about yourself
I’m Jemima Fosua Amoafo-Gaisie, a digital artist and graphic designer based in Tema, Ghana. I create photo manipulations and digital illustrations. I got into art in 2020 during the COVID lockdown. It was a difficult time, and art became a way for me to cope, especially after losing my cousin. I began with mobile photography and then got my first laptop in December 2020. That’s when I started learning digital art using YouTube tutorials for Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It was a lot of learning as I went, but it was a cool experience.
What type of artist are you? What inspired that artistry?
I’m a digital artist, and Ghana is my biggest muse. I mean, how can you not be inspired by this country? Our monuments, our culture, our traditional symbols, the landmarks, even the food! It’s all just bursting with creative energy. I’m also really passionate about creating art that celebrates Black people, especially Black women. For me, art is all about storytelling. I want to add to Ghana’s artistic legacy, you know? I want Ghanaians to see art that reflects our culture and experiences, just like you’d find in the Western world. It’s kind of like, we deserve our own artistic spotlight! I think my love for Ghanaian themes goes way back. Growing up, my home was basically an Adinkra symbol gallery, they were everywhere! I think it subconsciously shaped my artistic eye. Plus, my mum’s a seamstress, so I’ve been surrounded by beautiful African textiles and fabrics my whole life. I love those designs, so I try to weave that into my art too. It’s all connected, you know?
What inspired the current series?
This series, “Ghanaian Historical Figures: Stamp of History,” is actually part of a bigger project I’m working on that’s all about celebrating Ghana, our people, our landmarks, those nostalgic items that just scream “Ghana”! But the “Stamp of History” series specifically was sparked by Ghanaian vintage stamps. I stumbled upon them while doing some research, and I was instantly hooked! They just looked so incredibly cool and iconic. So, I decided to put my own spin on them, featuring some of Ghana’s most important historical figures. I’ve got Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Annan, Ama Ata Aidoo, Theodosia Okoh, Azumah Nelson, and the legendary Yaa Asantewaa all reimagined in that vintage stamp style.
Why those particular Ghanaian icons?
The reason I chose these particular icons is because, to me, they’re all game-changers. They’ve each made a real impact in their own way.
Like, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah? Total no-brainer. He spearheaded Ghana’s independence! I mean, the man’s a legend. We’re still benefiting from the infrastructure he built. That’s how you know someone’s left a mark in my opinion.
Then there’s Kofi Annan. I first heard about him way back in junior high social studies, if I remember correctly. The fact that he was the first Black African to be the UN Secretary-General, holding that position for almost a decade? That’s a massive achievement for any Ghanaian.
Ama Ata Aidoo is super special to me. I’m a huge bookworm, and her books were my gateway into the world of reading. “The Girl Who Can,” and “The Dilemma of A Ghost” those books blew my mind! Her passing really hit me hard, and I just feel like she’s cemented her place as a Ghanaian literary icon.
Of course, I had to include Theodosia Okoh! She designed the Ghana flag! It’s something we see every day and it was designed by a woman.
Azumah Nelson is for my dad! He’s a massive boxing fan and used to tell my siblings and me these (probably slightly exaggerated!) stories about Azumah Nelson’s strength and skill. But hey, he’s a two-weight world champion! He earned his place!
And finally, Yaa Asantewaa. Another social studies memory! The story of her leading the Ashanti in the War of the Golden Stool against the British? Talk about fierce! She’s definitely earned her spot in Ghanaian history as a fearless military leader.
Does the colour scheme correspond with each icon or is it a random choice?
The color schemes… Well, they’re not specifically tied to each icon’s personality or anything like that. I was really channeling the colors of the Ghana flag. They just felt right for this series, and I let them guide my choices. So, while it wasn’t a super calculated thing, it was definitely inspired by a love for our national colors!
What does Independence mean to you as a citizen and as a creative person?
For me, Independence as a Ghanaian…it’s all about liberty, you know? That fundamental freedom to just be. To exist as a person, to express myself without someone breathing down my neck, telling me what I can or can’t do. And as a creative? Independence is everything. It’s the freedom to explore my ideas, to experiment with my art, to tell the stories I want to tell, in the way I want to tell them. No boundaries, no limits. It’s about owning my voice and using my art to celebrate what it means to be Ghanaian, without any restrictions.
Do you believe the country is fair to creatives?
I think there’s still a long way to go when it comes to how Ghanaian creatives are treated in this country. And it’s frustrating because the work we do is so vital! Our art, our movies, our designs, our books, and our work, all play a huge role in shaping our country’s identity and development. But there’s this weird attitude a lot of Ghanaians have towards creative work like it’s not “real” work or something. You tell someone you’re an artist, a musician, a poet, and you get that look, you know? Like you’re not contributing anything.
This is ironic, because the country literally cannot function without creatives! We’re the ones telling the stories, shaping the culture, and bringing beauty into the world. And the pay? Don’t even get me started! Creatives in Ghana are seriously undervalued. It’s disheartening to see our counterparts in the Western world making serious money for their work. Ghanaian creatives produce excellent if not even better work but are so underpaid in this country. It’s like, we’re bursting with talent, but we’re not getting the support and recognition we deserve.
What’s the message you hope people take away from this series?
I hope this series sparks a sense of pride and connection to our history. I want people to look at these iconic figures and remember their contributions, remember the sacrifices they made, and feel inspired to carry on their legacy in their own way. I also want people to see Ghanaian history as something vibrant and alive, not just dusty old stories in a textbook. But beyond that, I really hope this series gets people thinking about the importance of supporting Ghanaian artists. We’re out here trying to tell our stories, celebrate our culture, and create art that reflects who we are. If this series resonates with you, and you want to support my work, I actually have canvases, paper prints, and stickers available for sale! Every purchase helps me continue creating and telling these stories. I’d really appreciate the support! You can send me a message on my Instagram @jesuisjemimaa to buy one or more!
Is this a one-off or would you be making more of these every year?
Oh, definitely not a one-off! Ghana is my constant inspiration, so I’m always creating art that celebrates our culture. I just launched this particular series now because it’s March, Ghana Month, and it felt like the perfect time to share it. But yeah, you’ll definitely be seeing more of my work and more Ghanaian themes, coming soon!
If you were to name your series after a nostalgic or iconic Ghanaian album? Which one(s) would you pick and why?
Okay, that’s a tough one! If I had to choose a Ghanaian album title for this series, I’d be torn between two classics: “Woyaya” by Osibisa and “Ahomka Womu” by VIP. “Woyaya” is just so iconic, and the message of that album, the journey, the struggle, the hope, it really resonates with the stories of these historical figures. They all faced challenges, they all worked to build a better Ghana, and “Woyaya” captures that spirit of perseverance. But then there’s “Ahomka Womu” by VIP! That album makes me dance every time! It’s upbeat, it’s energetic, and it makes you want to dance and celebrate everything that’s great about our country. And honestly, celebrating Ghanaian pride is a huge part of what I’m trying to do with this series. So yeah, tough choice! I think it would depend on the overall vibe I was going for. If I wanted to emphasize the struggle and the journey, I’d go with “Woyaya.” If I wanted to focus on the celebration of Ghanaian identity, it would be “Ahomka Womu” all the way!
Plans for the rest of the year
Okay, so for the rest of the year, I’m basically planning to be in full-on creative mode! I’m definitely focused on creating more art and exploring new themes and ideas within the Ghanaian context, of course. I’m also itching to experiment with some different mediums, maybe branch out from digital art a bit and try some mixed media or even dabble in some traditional painting techniques. Exhibiting my work, both here in Ghana and internationally, is a big goal. I really want to share my art with a wider audience and connect with other artists and creatives from around the world. And of course, I’ll be continuing to sell prints and maybe even some cool merch, so people can bring a little piece of Ghana into their own homes! Basically, it’s all about creating, connecting, and celebrating Ghanaian art and culture.
