Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku is a talented Ghanaian visual artist, body painter, and creative director who has mastered the art of storytelling through the human body. To him, the body is more than just a canvas, it’s a vessel for exploring spirituality, identity, and heritage.
“I like to think of myself as a storyteller,” he shares. “Growing up, I was always surrounded by symbols and stories, especially from my Ewe background. Those experiences shaped how I saw the world and how I wanted to express myself through art.”
Oscar was born and raised in Nungua, a coastal town in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region. It’s a place full of culture, folklore, and tradition, and all of that has influenced his creativity in deep ways. His artistic journey began at Mawuli School, where his passion for art grew stronger. He later earned a Bachelor of Technology in Painting from Takoradi Technical University, an experience that helped him refine his skills and transform his ideas into powerful visual expressions. For Oscar, art is more than a career. It’s his purpose. “Colours, symbols, and movement can express what words often fail to,” he explains.
Over the years, he has developed a unique artistic philosophy called Anansinisim, inspired by the legendary West African trickster Kweku Anansi, a figure known for wisdom, transformation, and storytelling. Through Anansinisim, Oscar explores how body painting and symbols can serve as spiritual codes, reconnecting people with their ancestral roots and helping them celebrate African identity.
His professional journey began in 2017, when he started experimenting with body art as a form of self-expression. What started as simple experiments has now evolved into a full artistic language that blends performance, spirituality, and visual symbolism.
A typical day in Oscar’s life is never the same. Some days he paints or researches new ideas; other days he collaborates with dancers, photographers, or designers. He spends a lot of time meditating, sketching, and reflecting, seeing art not just as creative work but as a deeply spiritual practice.
When it comes to people who connect with his art, Oscar describes it as an exchange of energy. “Every viewer brings their own story, and together we create new meanings,” he says. “That interaction inspires me.”
Like many artists, his journey hasn’t been without challenges. There have been times when he doubted himself or lacked resources, but he’s learned to view those moments as lessons. “Patience, faith, and staying grounded in my purpose have helped me through every obstacle,” he says with conviction.
One of the projects closest to his heart is Anansinisim: Body of Oracle, a solo exhibition and book that represent years of research and self-discovery. The project combines mythology, performance, photography, and symbolism, inviting audiences to reflect inward and connect with their own stories.
Oscar’s work often celebrates women, identity, and empowerment — themes that hold special meaning for him. “Women are the vessels of creation, the bearers of wisdom and continuity,” he says. “In celebrating them, I’m honoring the divine feminine energy that sustains the world.”
Over the years, his work has been featured on several platforms both in Ghana and internationally, earning him recognition for his creativity and innovation in body art. Yet for him, each exhibition or opportunity to share his vision is already a reward.
Beyond art, Oscar is passionate about African spirituality, philosophy, and cultural documentation. He also enjoys creative direction and working with people from other fields such as fashion, dance, and film. In his free time, he loves reading, journaling, and spending quiet moments in nature to recharge. Music and meditation are also an important part of his daily routine.
He draws inspiration from artists like El Anatsui, whose use of materials and symbolism speaks volumes, and Yinka Shonibare, who challenges colonial narratives through his art. Locally, he continues to look up to Ghanaian masters who have successfully combined tradition with innovation.
When asked what advice he would give to young artists, his response is simple:
Stay true to your voice. Don’t rush the process. Art is a journey of becoming. Be patient, be curious, and always remember why you started.
Looking ahead, Oscar is preparing new projects under his creative collective, Yonga Arts. The collective plans to continue exploring body art, performance, and storytelling through collaborations with dancers, filmmakers, and cultural institutions. There are also plans to expand the Anansinisim philosophy into educational and community programs that inspire the next generation of artists.
With every stroke of paint and every symbol he creates, Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku continues to redefine how African stories are told — not just through words, but through the living, breathing art of the human body.
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