At this year’s Chale Wote Street Art Festival, Ghanaian installation artist Tetteh Narh Martin, known as Tenama Arts, is positioning his craft not only as creative expression but as a business model built on sustainability. Yet, while his work draws attention, he says structural barriers in Ghana’s art market continue to limit growth opportunities.
Martin began as a painter five years ago but has since shifted into installation art, transforming waste materials such as fire can bottles and plastics into large-scale works. “Right now, I’m focusing on the installation art because of the materials that I’m using currently,” he explained, adding that this approach aligns creativity with recycling, cutting down on waste while producing high-value art pieces.
Displayed Work by Tetteh Narh Martin at Chale Wote Street Art Festival, Titled “Message From The Ghosts”
Pricing, he noted, reflects both the size and the labour intensity of the work. “Let’s say two by three can maybe cost like five thousand dollars. It depends on the quality of the work and the energy that goes into the work.” For Martin, every piece carries both artistic and economic weight, proving that sustainability can generate commercial value.
However, market access remains a major obstacle. “Sometimes you approach the gallery and the terms and conditions is like a whole lot,” he said. “You have to dash some of your artworks which is not fair, and some demand a higher price before you can get there.” These barriers, he argued, make it difficult for independent artists to scale their practice into viable businesses.
Despite the hurdles, Martin views platforms like Chale Wote as essential for exposure and networking. “It’s been a great experience that I’m having right now,” he said. “I’ve been interacting with a lot of people, exchanging contacts.”
Tenama Arts’ journey reflects a broader challenge in Ghana’s creative economy: talented artists are innovating with sustainable business models but face limited institutional support, financing, and gallery access. Without stronger market structures, many remain locked out of opportunities to monetise their creativity at scale.
