Colours of Conservation: Art, Sustainability, and the Flip-Flop Journey – about the creative proces

Patrick Tagoe-Turkson, born in 1978 in Winneba, Ghana, is a distinguished multidisciplinary artist, educator, and environmental activist. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana.

Tagoe-Turkson's artistic expression is deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture, characterized by vibrant, poetic, and rhythmic elements. He is renowned for transforming discarded materials, particularly flip-flops found along Ghana's Atlantic coast, into compelling artworks. This process not only addresses environmental concerns related to plastic waste but also reflects on themes of memory, migration, and adaptation. Throughout his career, Tagoe-Turkson has participated in over 100 exhibitions across the globe, including countries like France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Japan, China, Austria, Mexico, the United States, Senegal, Nigeria, Haiti, South Africa, Romania, and Hungary. His works are housed in esteemed collections such as the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada and the Casoria Contemporary Art Museum in Italy.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Tagoe-Turkson contributes to academia as a painting lecturer at Takoradi Technical University in Ghana. He also directs Aesthete Ghana, an organization dedicated to organizing nature art workshops and exhibitions, and serves as a curator for the annual PaintSculp Art Jury and exhibition at TTU.

His commitment to sustainability is evident through his active involvement in various nature and land art groups worldwide. Tagoe-Turkson's innovative approach to art, which melds environmental activism with cultural storytelling, has earned him numerous accolades and solidified his position as a prominent figure in contemporary African art.