Side Dye by Musah Swallah

Musah Swallah, Side Dye, 2021, Acrylic on plywood, 25.5 x 19.5 inches

In this series my works often present portrait that reflect the diversity of African and American culture that highlight the joy of being black and people who love and embrace their natural hair as part of their identity. The series is also a tribute to my late father MR Swallah who was a barber in the 80s and 90s.

Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, B. Musah Swallah is a visual artist whose paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works render stories that reflect Ghanaian and African culture, values, and everyday life. Swallah uses art as a tool for self-expression, creating awareness, provoking dialogue, and transforming society. His artwork speaks to youth aspirations, urban environments, and globalization. Swallah was born and raised in the densely populated community of Nima, which is largely Muslim community, where people of different faiths live together harmoniously in the heart of Accra, Ghana. His paintings, murals, and mixed media works serve as tools that are designed to promote self-expression, create awareness, provoke dialogue, and transform society. His paintings reflect his experience in various African cultures and his main objective is to render the daily lives of people on canvas.