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Archived features, reviews, and exhibition critiques documenting R.O. Mantey's contributions to sustainable fine art.
Richard Okyere Mantey focuses on sustainable art
Globally, there is a growing concern on climate change and environmental degradation and how businesses and individuals can contribute to reducing the negative impacts their activities have on the environment.
Artists communicate different messages with their pieces and for artist Richard Okyere Mantey, his current focus is to use his works to convey messages that highlight the importance of sustainability.
Sustainable art is the creative practice of making artwork that are not harmful to the environment as well as works that address topics such as climate change, waste and social issues.
Mr Mantey is not new to the art space as he has spent close to two decades creating different pieces in different forms — sculpturing, painting and woodwork.
However, recently, for most of his works, he uses waste wood from construction sites and other waste materials from the environment to convey his messages and also to drum home the importance of recycling.
In an interview with The Mirror Tuesday, he said he believes no matter how small, every person must make a conscious effort to contribute to saving the environment.
One of his early sustainable arts was incorporating outmoded models of mobile phones, which are usually burnt at some dump sites in Accra, into different shapes of waste wood to create an art piece.
For that commissioned work, the message was connectivity, proper use of mobile phones and how young people could create the world they want with the phones in their hands.
These outmoded mobile phones form a huge part of electronic waste that are crushed and burnt in search of copper and other metals.
Incorporating them in his pieces thus reduces the toxic smoke that rises from burning at these dump sites, saving the environment and the people who live and work nearby.
He moved on to using pieces of pine wood which is common and known to be environmentally friendly.
“Anytime I visit a friend, I look around for waste wood and gather them for my work. Currently, most Ghanaians do not appreciate these kinds of pieces but I believe these are the little ways artists can help protect the earth and hopefully with time, we will build a market around that,” he said.
Mr Mantey also has pieces created with wood and old liquor bottles which are left at dump sites.
Most of these pieces he does are for close friends or on commission basis but now, he is ready to expand his collection and also actively promote sustainable art.
He establish the I-M RICH ART GALLERY in Accra in 2017, realising the importance of Ghanaian art and the impact it could have on the economy through exports.
The gallery's main objective is to create artworks that highlight the rich cultural values of Ghanaians and also collaborate with artists who believe in this vision.
Core Statement
“I know that as artists, we like to patent our works, but for the collective good of the environment, I don't mind if other artists follow the trend and use waste materials in their works too.”
— Richard Okyere Mantey, Interview
Featured Creations Sourced from the Article
That They All May Be One, Are They?
A collaborative wood relief sculpture showcasing connected human figures carved entirely from salvaged timber blocks, emphasizing unity and community resource preservation.
Alcohol is Life
An intricate mixed-medium canvas integrating glass fragments from discarded liquor bottles and reclaimed construction timbers.
Eco-Sustainable Lamp Holder
Functional fine-art design converting discarded geometric construction logs into luxury ceiling-mounted light fixtures.
Corriere della Sera
Milano, ITInterwoven Systems
Extended and showcased at the Ikonica Art Gallery in Milan, Italy, Interwoven Systemspresented R.O. Mantey's early sculptural explorations. The exhibit examined the intersection of organic African timber structures with discarded electronics hardware, forming a visual commentary on global tech consumption and traditional hand-craftsmanship.
THE MEDIA DIRECTORY
Richard Okyere Mantey focuses on sustainable art
An in-depth profile detailing Mantey's two-decade-long career, his eco-conscious transition to sustainable art, and his process of incorporating wood scraps, e-waste, and glass into custom relief canvases.
Richard Okyere Mantey showcases Sustainable Art
Critical coverage detailing the physical showcases and public reception of R.O. Mantey's sustainable art catalog, highlighting his environmental advocacy.
Interwoven Systems at Ikonica Art Gallery
Milanese exhibition chronicle highlighting R.O. Mantey's solo showcase 'Interwoven Systems' at Ikonica Art Gallery, marking his debut on the Italian fine art scene.
R.O. Mantey: A Visionary Maestro of Sustainable Artistry
A highly acclaimed profile detailing the philosophical depth of R.O. Mantey's sustainable methodology, mapping Adinkra symbolism to contemporary eco-artistry.
R.O. Mantey: The Maestro of Sustainability and Artistic Brilliance
A prominent profile examining the synthesis of structural woodwork, traditional kente fabric, and industrial waste in R.O. Mantey's signature style.
R.O. Mantey holds exhibition in London
Coverage of R.O. Mantey's international exhibition footprint, documenting his London summer show detailing sustainable African fine art to global collectors.
African Art and the Impact on our Economy
An analytical look at how sustainable Pan-African fine art creates economic impact through global exports, referencing I-M Rich Art Gallery.
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