Creative Spotlight is a segment that puts some of the most talented and innovative Creators and Creatives living in Africa and the Diaspora in the limelight. It is our way of letting you discover the people behind the creative works that you see, listen to or wear on a daily basis. Today, the creative we will be spotlighting is none other than Ghanaian Multidisciplinary Artist, Kwabena Yeboah Mensah.
Tell us a little about your background
My name is Kwabena Yeboah Mensah, and I’m a multidisciplinary artist based in Accra, Ghana. My creative journey began with a deep fascination for visual storytelling. Drawing, painting, and experimenting with form were how I made sense of the world around me. A pivotal shift came during my time at the University of Ghana, Legon, where I studied choreography. Choreography taught me to see the world differently to notice how things move, how they hold space, and how subtle gestures can carry deep meaning. These insights shaped and expanded my creative language, influencing how I approach all other forms of expression. Today, my practice blends visual art, digital media, sculpture, and wearable art forming a body of work that is layered, fluid, and deeply rooted in narrative. Each medium I work with offers a different lens through which I explore themes of identity, culture, memory, and the human experience. I am inspired by social issues and personal histories, using art as a space for reflection, transformation, and connection.
In 2020, I founded 08.duds, a brand that views fashion as an extension of art. Each piece is a storytelling vessel rich with intricacies, symbolism, and purpose. Rooted in the spiritual and religious significance of the number 08, the brand draws on themes of regeneration and new beginnings. The production process incorporates painting, dyeing, recycling, tailoring, and craftsmanship, reflecting a commitment to sustainability, experimentation, and the art of transformation. Another key evolution in my practice came in 2024 when I discovered the Freeform app on my iPhone 12. What started as a casual digital experiment soon became a powerful new chapter. My first digital painting, KWAME NKRUMAH, opened the door to a spontaneous and intuitive creative process that felt both personal and revolutionary. Since then, I’ve developed a growing body of digital works rich in emotional intensity, symbolism, and layered storytelling that resonate alongside my design-based pieces.
At its core, my practice is rooted in experimentation and research. I see discomfort and chaos not as obstacles, but as essential tools for insight and transformation. Whether through movement, material, or digital form, my work seeks to create moments of connection, between self and society, tradition and innovation, what is seen and what is sensed.
At what point in your life did u decide your career path?
My interest in art began at an early age, but a defining moment came after senior high school through an encounter with Nigerian artist Casimir Hero. I learned a great deal from him, especially in painting. Later, when I enrolled at the University of Ghana to study choreography, my perspective expanded even further. These experiences deeply shaped my understanding of visual storytelling and concept development, laying the foundation for the multidisciplinary practice I pursue today.
What inspired your brand name?
The inspiration behind 08.duds came from a desire to view fashion not just as clothing, but as a form of artistic expression. I wanted each piece to serve as a storytelling vessel, layered with symbolism, purpose, and intricate detail. The brand is deeply rooted in the spiritual and religious significance of the number 08, which represents regeneration and new beginnings; themes that continue to shape both the creative vision and the message behind the work. The use of painting, dyeing, recycling, tailoring, and craftsmanship reflects my commitment to sustainability, experimentation and art of transformation.
What and who inspired you to choose your career?
My career has been driven by a lifelong passion for art, shaped by a combination of academic, social, and personal experiences. Each phase of my journey from early creative interests to formal education and meaningful encounters has inspired and solidified my career choice.
Details about your work? What does it entail?
My work is multidisciplinary, seamlessly blending visual art, digital media, sculpture, and wearable art to create pieces that are layered, fluid, and deeply narrative-driven. Each medium offers a distinct perspective through which I explore themes of identity, culture, memory, and the human experience. At the core of my practice is a commitment to experimentation , using art as a space for reflection, transformation, and connection.
In 2020, I expanded this vision into fashion by founding 08.duds, a brand that approaches clothing as a form of art. The process incorporates painting, dyeing, recycling, tailoring, and craftsmanship, all grounded in sustainability and creative experimentation. More recently, I have embraced digital art, adopting intuitive and spontaneous methods that infuse my work with greater emotional depth and symbolism. Overall, my practice is rooted in continuous experimentation and research, viewing discomfort and chaos not as obstacles but as catalysts for insight and transformation.
Your past works? People and brands you’ve worked with.
In 2021, I co-styled Mr Eazi for his music video “The Don” and also co-styled a fashion editorial for Vogue Netherlands, shot on location in Ghana. In 2023, I collaborated with London-based designer Kusikubi to create a collection for his brand Palmwine Ice Cream and co-created a merchandise collection for artist Black Sherif, in collaboration with friends under the collective Plus4. In 2024 I styled a visual project for Grey Area Studios.
Recent Notable Works
My recent work has been centered on my sculpting works and digital artworks, marking a significant phase of exploration and transformation in my own practice.
Some of my works have been featured in publications such as Publications, Dazed, I-D, ManjuJournal, FuckingYoug Magazine and PhotoVogue.
Advice Creatives Venturing Into Your Field
Take your time and learn about your practice, stay curious and make works that you wish existed.
Follow @theimullar on Instagram and X(Twitter) for more.
