Born in 1989 in Accra, Ghana, Richmond Agamelah is a contemporary artist known for his innovative techniques and resourcefulness. A graduate of the Ghanatta College of Art and Design, Agamelah has developed a unique style that sets him apart in the Ghanaian art scene. Instead of traditional tools, he employs discarded bank cards as his primary instruments for applying paint, favouring them over conventional palette knives. This unconventional approach not only distinguishes his work but also reflects a deeper narrative about adaptation, creativity, and the artist’s connection to his environment.

During our conversation with Agamelah, he shared stories of his early artistic experiments and how he began incorporating these found objects into his work. He reminisced about the days when he would send the younger children in his neighborhood on missions to collect discarded cards, turning what was once trash into essential tools of his craft. This act of gathering and repurposing reflects a broader cultural ingenuity found in Ghana, where artists often adapt to limited resources with remarkable creativity. For Agamelah, these cards do more than just spread paint; they add texture, depth, and a sense of history to his canvases, each swipe leaving behind a distinct mark that speaks to his artistic journey.