James Mishio, (b.1997) is a mixed media artist of the Ghanaian contemporary art scene who lives and works in Accra. His experimentation with various forms of media and materials and sensitive exploration of the humanity of his subjects fuels his work. He uses Impasto with a palette knife, applying Oil, Acrylic, Pastel and Fabric on canvas to create his works. His use of oil for the skins of his subject emphasizes on the richness and wealth of the African individual and history their skin holds. His works have found their way to private collections, a notable exhibition titled ‘Bird of A Feather’ by Phillips Auction House and Artemartis, and galleries such as the Coningsby Gallery, in London. With over 6 years of painting and growing as an artist, he aims to focus on communication and understanding among people, through an exploration of the concept of perception and its associated stereotypes and variables. He is involved in portraiture and figurative work, and his current work focuses on the topic of perception and its fluctuations, together with the vacillations and mysteries surrounding it.

Most people my society discriminate against men with hairstyles, likening them to criminals, drug dealers and menaces in society. I found inspiration for my current IDENTITY series from Ahmad Cissé, through his freedom of expression and how he does not let his hairstyle limit him from reaching the top of his professional career. As a fellow creative, who has Senegalese roots, Ahmad always finds himself breaking boundaries in his field of practice, which are modeling, photography among others, having a deep connection to his Senegalese culture. Through the identification branded on me as an individual, and limitations set on me due to my hairstyle, I sought out other individuals who could inspire me to live a normal life in Accra without being branded with homophobic comments, or as a criminal/drug dealer, or someone unable to be accepted into jobs and professions, or looked down upon, like other men with dreadlocks and hairstyles are. After researching into my muse and speaking to Ahmad, I found interest in the expression in his photographs, his postures and body poses, which expressed freedom in his IDENTITY. A way of telling the world to accept him for who he is, a man who is proud of his dreadlocks.

This encouraged me to paint his Identity series based on strong black males who, regardless of their hairstyles, defy every stereotype and societal views placed on them to become the best version of themselves.

I also found inspiration in a story of a young boy who was denied admission into a prestigious high school in the country, because of his dreadlocks and belief in Rastafarianism. This is one out of many examples that I has witnessed, heard of and experienced personally. I aim to change the narrative, so men in hairstyles may be able to gain employment, and feel comfortable in spaces where they do not.

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