Meet Eugene Ofori Agyei

We recently connected with Eugene Ofori Agyei and have shared our conversation below.

Eugene, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I love fueling my creative soul to boost my productivity in the studio. Time and how it is used are critical components in my creative journey, and finding creative activity is significant to me as a creative person. I spend a LOT of time in the studio, creating. I sink my thoughts deep into something and observe what happens without distractions. I occasionally embrace distractions by listening to music. My studio is not limited to the room or physical space I work in; it is everything I see around me. I also devote time to walking around and observing individuals and their lifestyles on the street. The next day, I’ll return to my studio and use these human insights and experiences to elaborate on the discourse that is finally translated into my work. I tried to see as many shows, works, artist talks, and demos as I could at conferences, museums, and galleries. I collect mental snapshots of interests that match my conceptual discourse or thoughts that I aim to transmit through my work and record important events. In the midst of it all, I take a break to rest and spend time with friends and family.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an artist and educator from Ghana living in Gainesville, Florida. My practice focuses on the creation of sculptures, performances, and installations that explore the notions of identity, belonging, home, and displacement. I earned my Bachelor of Art degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, majoring in Ceramics in 2018. Prior to my MFA at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, I was assigned as a teaching and research assistant at the same school where I received my BA for one year.

I have had awards to my credit, including the 2020/2021 recipient of the University of Florida Grinter Fellowship, the 2021 Zenobia Award, the 2022 Artaxis Fellowship Award, the 2022 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Art (NCECA) Graduate Student Fellowship Award, the 2022 NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Award, the Pathways 2022: The Carlos Malamud Prize for emerging artists in Florida, the 2023/2026 Robert Chapman Turner Teaching Fellowship from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, among others. I have shown my work nationally and internationally, including in Turkey, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, and Philadelphia, among others. In April 2022, the Morean Arts Center named me one of its Fresh Squeezed 6: Emerging Artists in Florida.

My recent exhibition, “Where is Home? Home is Where I Belong” is through August 27th, 2023, at the Rollins Museum of Art https://www.rollins.edu/rma/exhibitions/2023/eugene-ofori-agyei-where-is-home-home-is-where-i-belong.html.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
It is inspiring to look at other artists’ work on social media, but avoid the temptation of continuously comparing your work to that of someone else and the nice things happening to them. I believe we are our own artists on our own path, and we can never be certain of another person’s journey from behind a screen. Instead of comparing and feeling bad about your own work, use their talent as motivation to get back to work on yours. Another essential element is being disciplined as an artist and open to new experiences.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Everyone has a distinct stress threshold, and no one manages stress in the same manner. What irritates one person may not bother another. I prioritize tasks, and I know when it’s time to step back and take breaks to prevent being unduly frustrated.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Denise Zubizarreta Emmanuel Opoku Laney Mae

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