Peter Owusu-Ansah

Relying on his vision to experience and interpret the world around him, Ghanaian-born Toronto artist Peter Owusu-Ansah is a firm believer that people can communicate without the use of speech or words. Deaf, he sees life as it appears in paintings and photographs, and his curiosity leads him to manipulate them into pop artworks.  

This all began in 2009 when Owusu-Ansah zoomed in to one of his pop artworks and was instantly amazed by the colourful pixels that the magnification produced. Sparking a light bulb, he became deeply curious about the great colours imaginable in the universe. Using photoshop, he worked towards exploring the many different colours on the spectrum. Sometimes spending years, to find and create the perfect combination of colours. 

Through his vibrant works, Owusu-Ansah desires to bring more visibility to the deaf community and showcase his solidarity with the disabled community, while striving to make a living as a professional artist.   

Peter Owusu-Ansah. Belighted 2, 2019. Digital C-Print, 38” x 38”.

AGO: What was the inspiration for this artwork or series?

Owusu-Ansah: I am deaf person. Seeing is my nature. I love looking into the art world. I love colours. Very few people are put at the top in this industry. There are also not many black artists. Deaf people are nowhere to be found. It is fine that they are at the top forever, but we shouldn’t be silenced because we are all battling and starving to earn greatness.

AGO: Tell us about a place or a space where you most love making your work?

Owusu-Ansah: I would love a space to make works, but I am broke. I make my work at my dinner table. 

AGO: Are you in dialogue with any other artists or creative peers about your practice? If so, how does this dialogue feed your work?

Owusu-Ansah: I am not. 

Follow Peter Owusu-Ansah @peteroarts