INSPIRATION

Kwabena is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (e.g., Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Kwahus) in Ghana. According to their day-naming system, it means “born on a Tuesday” in the Akan language. People born on specific days are believed to exhibit characteristics, attributes, and philosophies associated with those days. For Tuesday-born individuals, they are traditionally linked to the ocean. Kwabena also carries the appellation Ogyam or Ebo, meaning “friendliness.” Therefore, males named Kwabena are expected to be friendly.*

Through this work, the artist seeks to honor males named Kwabena who, in Ghanaian society, are generally regarded as intelligent, hardworking, diligent, caring, altruistic, and romantic with their partners. This artwork embodies these qualities.

*Sources: Wikipedia and Dankyi Mensah