Raymond Edusei

Year of birth: 1985.
Where do you live: Ray spends his time between Singapore, London and Accra at the moment.
Your education: Business studies.
Describe your art in three words: Bold, Energetic, Colorful, Vibrant, Fusion, Culturally Inspired.
Your discipline: visual arts.
Website | Instagram

How have your experiences living in Ghana and the UK influenced your artistic vision and themes?

My appreciation for bold colours and the abstract themes in my art, i can trace back to when I was a child. We used to get gifts when relatives visited from Ghana, I was fascinated with some of the artworks, the wooden carvings, masks, fabrics etc. and when I visited Ghana I’d feel the vibrancy everywhere i went. 

Being born and raised in the UK, I’ve been exposed to many different art forms from around the world and  I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the similarities and differences. Blending principles from Cubism, and various forms of street art as well as west African sculpture are reflective of all these synergies 

Today a lot of us live with multiple  cultural identities, and I believe that art is a powerful medium to share our stories. I want my art to make people realise that we have more in common than differences. 

Raymond Edusei | Beach, Fly Girl, Series | 2022

Could you share how your travels have shaped the cultural and stylistic diversity in your work?

I’ve always been fascinated by culture, and I approach travel through that lens. Art is a great way to learn about culture, and to bridge divides

I’ve been based out of Asia for most of this year and I’m currently exploring themes that highlight shared traditions in fabric styles and patterns—like the rich heritage of Batik 

Growing up British with Ghanaian roots and traveling the world, you come to understand how fluid identity can be. How you’re perceived shifts depending on your environment—your identity becomes whatever room you’re.

Your “Fly Girl” series explores themes of femininity and empowerment. What inspired you to focus on these themes?

I’ve always been inspired by women—they embody a dynamic range of qualities that I find endlessly fascinating. Growing up in a matriarchal culture and a household of women, I’ve witnessed the dualities they navigate and the challenges they overcome. These themes often find their way into my art.

Painting women allows me to challenge traditional narratives, presenting them in ways that feel both empowering and relatable. It’s my way of honoring their stories and individuality, and the roles they play in shaping the world around us.

My first exhibition in London, Fly Girl, was particularly special. It sparked meaningful conversations about gender roles that felt deeply rewarding as an artist.

Raymond Edusei | Thoughts, Fly Girl, Series | 2022

The use of muted colors in your series creates a reflective tone. How did you decide on this color palette?

I love experimenting with color palettes and in my practice I’ve taken a lot of time to curate specific palettes that I feel would allow me to interact with the viewer of my work 

For the fly girl series for example,  the muted tones are meant to allow for more introspection and for the viewer to look beyond the surface of the imagery and be one with the  subject in the piece.  

Can you walk us through your process of blending abstract and figurative art to convey complex emotions and narratives?

Ever since childhood I’ve always connected  with visuals that surround me

Some of my favourite works have started out as memories, visions or dreams that I then materialised into an artwork 

In that sense, the blend of abstract and figurative is intuitive and also very distinctive of my style.

How do you decide which medium—acrylic, spray paint, pastel, or digital—to use for each piece?

I’m very experimental on my choice of medium and I’ll often try multiple mediums for a piece to see what fits best 

Each medium has its place, for example while acrylic conveys the depth of a piece and also makes it more unique given the imperfections that come with it, digital can make an artwork more accessible to all and as someone who believes that art should be within reach, I will definitely continue to have it play a bigger role in my portfolio.

Raymond Edusei | Mother, Fly Girl, Series | 2022

What emotions or messages do you hope viewers take away from the “Fly Girl” series?

Art is deeply personal, and I believe each viewer’s reaction to the Fly Girl series will reflect their own emotions and state of mind at that moment. 

I named the series Fly Girl because every woman has that cool, magnetic, mysterious energy inside her and it can come through in daily life – no matter what her role or where she is.