FAMOUS ARTIST Theresah Ankomah

Theresah Ankomah is a Ghanaian contemporary artist based in Accra, known for her innovative use of weaving, basketry, textiles, and found materials. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Arts from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Her practice is rooted in traditional craft techniques that she transforms into conceptual installations exploring Ghana’s social and economic realities.

Ankomah’s work merges traditional craft and contemporary art, using materials like raffia, ropes, and woven baskets sourced from Ghanaian markets. Her installations often take the form of large woven structures, wall pieces, or immersive environments. By elevating ordinary market materials into art, she redefines the boundary between art, craft, and everyday life.

Her art investigates labor, gender roles, consumerism, trade, and identity. Through weaving and repetition, she reflects on the invisible labor of women in Ghana’s informal markets and questions how traditional skills are undervalued. Her works also comment on globalization and the movement of goods and people within African economies. The repetitive act of weaving becomes a metaphor for persistence, survival, and cultural resilience.

Theresah Ankomah has exhibited locally and internationally, including shows at Gallery 1957 (Accra), the Nubuke Foundation, the Ghana Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and the Stellenbosch Triennale (South Africa). She was also a finalist for the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, which recognizes outstanding female artists from Africa. Her works are held in both private and public collections.

Ankomah’s art bridges traditional craftsmanship and modern thought, giving voice to the unseen workers who sustain local economies. By using familiar materials and patterns, she connects audiences to Ghanaian daily life while encouraging reflection on gender, culture, and social systems.