EXHIBITIONS
BRADBURY ART MUSEUM
BRIDGING GEOGRAPHIES OF LABOR - EBENEZER NKETSIAH MENSAH
June 28 - July 30, 2025
ARTIST STATEMENT
My works delve into the intricate tapestry of human experience, labor, and history, meticulously weaving together narratives of identity, power, and memory. Through a thoughtful curation of discarded materials and found objects, I embark on a journey to unearth the silent echoes of the past and the lived experiences of laborers within the mining and construction sectors as I reflect on my experience as a miner (galamsey) and a construction worker in Tarkwa, Ghana and embrace these times in my art practice.
My artistic practice serves as a conduit for exploration, challenging the viewer to confront the paradoxes inherent within societal structures and systems of exploitation. My work breathes life into forgotten relics, crafting poignant portraits that bear witness to the struggles of marginalized individuals.
Drawing inspiration from the architectural motifs of medieval times, my artworks serve as a testament to the enduring resilience of the human spirit amidst the shadows of adversity. Using these decommissioned materials sourced from construction sites and mining sites lends a visceral quality to the work, reflecting the precarious nature of labor within these spaces.
By repurposing decommissioned materials, I seek to bridge the gap between history and the present, inviting viewers to contemplate the enduring legacy of our collective journey. The assemblage of these found materials serves as a collection of data and acts as symbolic vessels of metaphor for carrying memories of labor.
Through this artistic dialogue, I strive to illuminate the complex interplay of power and decay within institutionalized structures.
My works offer a space for reflection, dialogue, and healing as viewers reflect on the experiences laborers in these spaces encounter.
BIO
Ebenezer Nketsiah Mensah is an artist who recently graduated with an MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Florida. He received his BFA in Painting and Sculpture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2018. Mensah's works serve as a powerful narrative that explores multifaceted themes such as identity, labor, history, migration, and the interplay of power through his paintings, sculptures, installations, and photo documentaries. His work focuses on construction and small-scale mining, known as ‘galamsey’ in Ghana. Mensah reflects on his lived experiences as a miner and a construction worker in Tarkwa, Ghana. Through his art, he raises critical issues surrounding this practice, delves into the lives of those involved, and scrutinizes their archetypal influence on communities in both Ghana and the U.S., where these activities occur, as well as the geopolitics involved in labor.
Mensah’s work has been shown in several exhibitions, nationally and internationally, including Sarasota, FL; Richmond, VA; Gainesville, FL; Gatlinburg, TN; and Ghana.
He has earned several awards and fellowships, including the Grinter Fellowship (upgraded to 12-month funding), the second-place award for the 2025 University of Florida Juried Exhibition, and the Windgate Fellowship, and he completed a residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts etc.
His evolving career continues to make a profound impact on contemporary art.