[Interview] Artlife Matters X Samsung Art Store Partnership Showcases the Unique Ghanaian Perspective Global Viewers

Since its introduction in 2017, Samsung Art Store has provided users with remarkable pieces of art in 4K resolution directly to their homes. Users can access these masterpieces via The Frame, Samsung’s lifestyle TV with an enhanced Matte Display that reduces light reflection. With this newest feature, The Frame allows users to view brilliant pieces of art from a catalogue of thousands right on their screen using Art Mode.

To further accessibility to and diversity within art, Samsung has been partnering with numerous museums, galleries and art collectives, with the latest Artlife Matters and Samsung Art Store partnership being one of them. Together, Artlife Matters and Samsung Art Store have been providing consumers with a unique and inspiring selection of artworks by Ghanaian and African artists, giving viewers who may not have been able to view the works in person a chance to experience the art in the comfort of their homes.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Eric Agyare, the Founder and Project Director at Artlife Matters, to discuss how the organization and its partnership with Samsung Art Store has transformed the perception of art and its role in enhancing diversity and accessibility for artists in Ghana and Africa.

▲ Artists at the Artist Seminar held by Artlife Matters in 2022

Expanding Opportunities for Art

Q: Can you tell us a bit about Artlife Matters and what inspired you to pursue a partnership with Samsung Art Store?

Artlife Matters is an art-influential organization that looks to foster collaboration and partnership opportunities that showcase practicing and upcoming artists within the creative arts space. Due to limited opportunities and resources, at times it can be difficult for artists to reach their full potential. In partnering with the Samsung Art Store, we are able to provide a platform that allows artists the opportunity to experience art from a worldwide lens.

Q: How has the reception of your partnership with Samsung been from members of Artlife Matters and its artists?

The reception from artists has been positive. The exposure and revenue model of the Art Store platform has solved significant career challenges, and our artists now have the peace of mind to keep doing what they love without concerns for livelihood. To date, we currently have artwork submissions from six African countries, allowing consumers to truly enjoy the diverse artwork Artlife Matters provide.

Q: How has your experience working with Samsung affected consumers’ perception of African art?

The partnership has also positively affected consumers’ preferences, exposing them to the unknown aesthetics of our continent. As a result, I believe users of The Frame are more enlightened on the new African narrative than ever before. During our Artist Seminar held in December 2022, Artlife Matters recorded that most of our listed artists on that platform had been contacted by users of The Frame. Some conversations are leading to new projects as well.

Creating Diverse and Accessible Environments in Art

Q: As an art-influential organization that celebrates and promotes art as a form of expression, what are some of the ways the organization helps to address societal issues and inspire a creative and inclusive society?

Artlife Matters has been implementing an art-based capacity building project called “Artitude”, which aims to expand the possibilities of the creative art space. Through workshops, internships and mentorships, we have engaged over 4,395 young creatives in senior high schools across Ghana, showing them the social, cultural and economic possibilities in the creative art space while also promoting the importance of art.

Our goal is to celebrate and highlight art as a social, cultural and economic development tool. The school and community projects we run are created to inspire and shape creatives to reach their vast potential within the art industry. Our goal is to become a pan-African organization with an art ecosystem that allows new and existing creatives to exchange and implement ideas that shape society.

Q: What role do you see technology playing in bridging the accessibility gap for consumers and artists in the coming years?

We believe the effort in democratizing the art industry through technology is increasing the demand for creative goods. Through technology, art can become accessible to the right consumers and offer more exposure to artists’ work. The dream of having a viable career in art can easily be made possible for young adults living in remote areas in Ghana.

Illustrating the Vibrancy and Richness Art

Q: What are some of the unique artistic elements that define Ghanaian art and the newest works in the Art Store?

Ghana is increasingly becoming the hub for contemporary African art. Our vibrant colors, unique way of representing blackness and the authenticity of the Ghanaian narrate now have the world’s attention. We use every opportunity to advocate and demonstrate art’s social, cultural and economic value in Ghana and beyond. Artlife Matters is focused on creating and managing a vibrant art space that influences positive community behaviors, as depicted in the Kolorscape art piece.

Q: Of the newest works in the Art Store, which piece would you recommend for users to display on The Frame?

To showcase the amazing and vibrant works from Artlife Matters and its artists, I’d recommend that consumers display the works of art outlined below on The Frame.

▲ Kolorscapes (2021) by Dela Avemega (Becké)

Dela Avemega is a contemporary artist. His works spur dialogue on race, society, culture, religion and politics. Dela firmly believes art validates perception, and this is how he perceives the future of the Accra creative community in this masterpiece.

▲ Melanin Lisa by Elkanah Kwadwo Mpesum (el Carna)

Elkanah Kwadwo Mpesum is a professional illustrator with an edge to narrate authentic African stories. His version of the “Mona Lisa” is a tribute to the beauty and majesty of black womanhood.

▲ She Snap by Manzi Leon

Manzi Leon is a self-taught surreal visual and digital artist who loves the impasto painting style because it gives him exciting energy to see visible brush strokes converging on a canvas to form a masterpiece that expresses the thoughts and feelings of women in his community. This painting depicts how we get happiness and the power to stick to what motivates us.

To see more of Artlife Matters’ artwork, head to the Samsung Art Store in The Frame.