Mary-Jo Adjetey is a multidisciplinary artist and data analyst, who blends traditional and digital media to create installations and multi-sensory experiences that tell a story through art.
Mary-Jo has a degree in Math and Art from Syracuse University in the USA, and a Master's Data Analytics at the University of Warwick, UK.
She is one of five artists to win a US$2,000 grant through the 2024 Africa Prime Initiative (API)/Gallery Soview initiative.
API is the philanthropic arm of US-based video streaming platform Africa Prime and Gallery Soview is an Accra-based contemporary art space that will be exhibiting the grant winners' work in September 2024.
Encouraged by her uncle and inspired by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, Mary-Jo tells AKADi Magazine how her background in maths influences her art.
I read that you spent your earlier years drawing on your bedroom walls – how old were you?
It was such a long time ago, I honestly cannot remember how old I was. Maybe somewhere between years 10 and 14?
What were you creating and how did that go down with the family?
Nothing of meaning really, just doodles. My bed was laid up right next to a blank wall and it was like a canvas to doodle on. My parents didn’t care much, it was confined to my room so that was my own business. Would have been a different story if it wasn’t.
I am fascinated with how your interest in art intersects with your background in mathematics. Typically, people see mathematics as analytical and dry and art as creative. Do you agree/disagree and how do they intersect for you and inform your art pieces?
I can see why people would think math is dry but it really isn’t. There’s beauty in how everything connects in maths, which is reflective of how everything connects in life.
When being taught how to draw or paint still life, you’re taught to view the objects you see as a ratio to another object, that’s math. You’re taught to draw in perspective; that objects closer are larger and objects further are smaller, that’s math. I don’t think math and art are exclusive of each other. I think it’s impossible in life for anything to be exclusive of each other, one thing will always influence another.
Name an artist that inspires you and why?
That’s a tough one. I loved Art History studies, I was obsessed with the Renaissance era and Gothic architecture during my school years, and growing up, I was encouraged by my uncle, James Adjetey, who was an artist to nurture my creative side.
But in recent times since deciding to practice, I’ve come to immensely appreciate contemporary Ghanaian artists such as Ibrahim Mahama. His art is one thing (amazing), but his dedication to using it as a bridge to his community and the world is inspiring and I admire that.
I think it’s fascinating to create a piece of work to essentially overtake the audience’s way of viewing your work
You are known for blending traditional and digital media to create installations and multi-sensory experiences that tell a story through art. Can you tell us what you find appealing about using these forms of art in creating your works.
As an art lover, I can stand in front of a piece for hours dissecting, and appreciating or not appreciating what’s in front of me.
However, I do recognise that some people need more. Some people want to be engaged in a way that’s more than just looking. And I think it’s fascinating to create a piece of work to essentially overtake the audience’s way of viewing your work. To recreate that feeling I feel when I look at a piece of work I admire, and not think about anything else other than what I’m looking at.
Where were you when you learnt you’d won the API/ Gallery Soview grant and how did you feel at that moment?
I treat my Mail app like a social media app. It’s the first application I open when I wake up lol. I received the email that I won about 45mins before I woke up and checked my mail. I was excited of course.
Tell us more about what you plan to do with your grant and what you plan to showcase in September at Gallery Soview.
Restock on art supplies for sure, and continue to fix up my studio space. Not sure if I can say yet what I plan to exhibit, but I will say it’s a project I've been working on for a while.
Where would you like your career to go over the next 5 years?
When I decided to pursue art as a career, it was always with the goal of seeing how far I could take it and not have any regrets. If all goes well, I’d like to be in the space to create more, interact with people to learn more, and be in the position to support and propel other Ghanaian creatives.
About API
Founded in 2022 by Yaya Moussa, API has provided grants to artists in Namibia, in collaboration with the StArt Art Gallery, and in Madagascar, in partnership with Fonds Yavarhoussen. Two years later, the initiative expanded to support emerging artists in Ghana.
About Gallery Soview
Gallery Soview is a contemporary art gallery situated in Accra, Ghana created by founder and director Barbara Kokpavo Janvier. The gallery has a strong focus on emerging artists from Africa and is committed to enhancing their visibility both within and beyond the continent.
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