Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Dela Dika. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael Dela, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My journey has never been a smooth sail. From a young age, I knew I was different and a little rebellious wanting to see or experience the world through my own lens.. While other kids played with toys, I found joy in creating figurines out of mud or transforming recycling cans into toy cars. Deep down, I always believed that my life on earth would have a meaningful impact on the world, even though I couldn’t quite articulate how. This is not to say that I consider myself special, as I have had to overcome mountains of doubt to get to where I am today.
Growing up in Ghana, the idea of pursuing a prestigious career in art seemed unimaginable. The perception of art in Ghana was limited to being an art teacher or selling crafts on the streets of Accra. Pursuing art was often equated with not being smart or intelligent in school. The harsh reality of these limitations made it difficult to envision my future in the art world.
However, today, I proudly call myself an artist and it fills my heart with joy and pride. having come to realize the profound philosophical and cultural impact that artists can have in the world around us changed everything. What has kept me going is my relentless curiosity and desire to explore life on my terms and at my own pace. This means constantly trying new things, making mistakes, and learning from them. As the saying goes, ‘Smooth seas never made a good sailor.'”
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 view my life and creative practice as a continual exploration, a tapestry of mark-making with clay and the accumulation of recorded experiences. It is a delicate dance of tension and balance, navigating the preciousness of the human condition. A journey between the spaces called home. Ghana and the United States (US).
Having made the leap from Ghana to the United States in pursuit of my MFA at the University of Delaware in 2019, the opportunity of being awarded a full scholarship to study and practice art was an exhilarating moment. This allowed me to fully immerse myself in honing my studio practice. Experimenting with found materials and clay, my work evolved and transformed over time. Making Installations and sculptures.
Currently, as the resident artist/visiting artist at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, my role encompasses both teaching ( two classes) and developing my personal studio practice. Being awarded this rare opportunity grants me access to expansive studio spaces, abundant materials, and a diverse array of artists spanning various stages of their careers and mediums. I am deeply grateful for this privilege bestowed upon me.
I’m honestly excited that after my one-year residency, I got an extension to stay for another year. During this period, I have been able to have a number of studio visits, push the boundaries of scale in my sculptures, leading to my first museum solo show, got in several shows, taught a workshop at grounds for Sculpture New Jersey, curated an exhibition for the ceramic department at Tyler and continuing my touring curatorial project titled: The Medium is the Message: The African Diaspora Story. Which has traveled to three states thus far. I am looking forward to two upcoming museum exhibitions in 2024 this January and March at the Richmond Museum and Museum of Black History and Culture.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I am glad was able to isolate myself, blurred out the voices in my head just to focus on myself and develop my intellectual and creative practice. Staying disciplined and being honest with myself about my creative goals and ambitions.
Giving yourself the time and space to develop at your pace without comparing your progress with others. Most importantly surround yourself with like-minded friends who constantly push you beyond your limits and lastly have mentors you look up to.
Sincerely, I feel elated and inspired looking back. Knowing how far I have come and achieved just by sacrificing and giving myself the permission to grow. Nothing feels more gratifying than knowing you earned and worked hard for every ounce of your achievements today.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I had a deep reflection of my life quite recently and I can gladly say my ability to overcome or develop the qualities and all the achievements I have in my life to today is a combination of my dad and mum. My dad was the intellectual powerhouse, and my mum is the sacrifice, work the hardest type. My mum is a true force of nature -unstoppable.
This attribute was instilled in me as I eagerly looked up to both my dad and mum, with my mum literally stringing me along for her endless work and business ventures. Everything she did, she made sure I was there to contribute. I got a taste of the rawness of the hustling and bustling culture at a very young age as I worked alongside her in the market space. In all of this, I always loved school. Mostly because I admired and looked up to my dad’s intellectual prowess, and secondly with most importantly, I understood at a very young age what meant to be living in the world without education.
Contact Info:
- Website: Michaeldika.com
- Instagram: @mcmichaeldika
Image Credits
Joseph Hu William Toney
