Zohra Opoku, ‘To me belongs mankind, given wholly to me. I have entered as a falcon. I have gone forth. Morning star, make a path for me so that I may enter in peace into the beautiful West. I belong to the pool of Horus. Act for me so that I may enter and I may adore Osiris, Lord of Life.’, 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim.
ZOHRA OPOKUS' INTERVIEW FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR
In her interview with Harper's Bazaar NL, artist Zohra Opoku discusses how she explores personal identity through historical and cultural influences, particularly within contemporary Ghana. Using textiles and alternative photographic techniques, she captures themes of memory, tradition, and heritage. Her background in fashion design informs her artistic expression, as she views fabrics as symbols of home and identity. Daily walks in Berlin inspired her to transform feelings of disillusionment into art, while her fascination with the Egyptian Book of the Dead reshaped her understanding of death as a transition rather than an end.
Opoku’s series "The Myths of Eternal Life" reflects her personal journey, incorporating materials linked to her family heritage, such as Kente cloth from her father. After her cancer diagnosis in 2019, she found renewed purpose in her work, using colors and textures to navigate her experiences. Through her art, Opoku conveys a powerful narrative of acceptance and transformation, illustrating how her identity and artistic practice are deeply intertwined.
