Accra’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival is once again spotlighting creativity from across Africa and beyond, with artists using unconventional materials to push the boundaries of contemporary art. Among them is Ghanaian artist Nii Lomotey, who is transforming discarded paper into three-dimensional reliefs designed to be seen, touched, and felt.
Lomotey, who has been part of Chale Wote since 2021, explained that his current work repurposes paper to give the material new life. “Paper, humans, we have a relationship with paper. We write on them. We read from them. And then sometimes when we are done with it, we just discard it. So this time around, I think we are not being fair,” he said. “When an artist falls in love with you, you will live forever. So all the papers that come to me or come to my studio, I’ll be able to give life back to it.”
His pieces, built from processed paper, explore both sustainability and accessibility. Unlike his earlier colorful paintings, Lomotey now creates works that can be experienced by the visually impaired through touch. “I decided to bridge between those who cannot see but they can then touch and feel. At least they can enjoy something on the paper,” he said.
Beyond recycling, Lomotey sees his art as part of a broader movement to use waste materials for creative expression. “If we have about 10, 20, 50 or 100 artists trying to use waste papers, we are limiting waste in the community. Other than just burning them to create pollution, we can just use them to create art,” he said.
Displayed art work made out of discarded paper by Nii Lomotey at Chale Wote, 2025
For him, art is not only about commerce but about inspiration and continuity. “If you know how to draw or paint or create and you leave it in your room, you are not being fair. You must bring it out there and someone will see your artwork, might buy it or not even buy it, but will have an insight. And the artwork is going to tell the person something or change something in the person’s life,” he said.
Reflecting on his long-standing participation in Chale Wote, Lomotey said the festival has become an annual commitment. “What keeps me coming back is to celebrate art. Provided I’m in Ghana, I have life, I’ll still keep coming to Chale Wote. Whether the arts and dance and everything, I’m here to appreciate art. That’s all.”
Chale Wote 2025 continues through the week with exhibitions, installations, music, and performances at the Nationalism park streets in Osu, Accra.
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