Isshaq Ismail was Born 1989 in Accra, Ghana, where he Lives and Works.
Isshaq Ismail is a versatile painter who works with varieties of media and techniques to spark a renaissance of contemporary African Art. In scope of his aesthetic strategies he creates grotesque figures and textures in his paintings. Art that refines discarded materials and layering of paint.
In 2015 and 2016 he was shortlisted as one of the top ten finalists in Ghana for the kuenyehia Art prize for Contemporary Ghanaian Arts. That same year he was chosen as one of the Top 100 finalists at the Barclays L'Artelier Art competition, which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Showing one painting: 'Imperfections’
Ismail's works are a conversation on place and identity. Taking inspiration from his hometown of Accra, Ismail’s work deals with the social and political realities of living in this dynamic 21st century and how those realities ultimately impact one’s Identity.
EDUCATION
2012 CERTIFICATE Painting, Ghanatta College of Art and Design, Accra, Ghana
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 BLAU! FISCHE! , TO LIVE IS TO CHOOSE Gallery, Stuttgart, Germany
2019 Various Artists, TO LIVE IS TO CHOOSE Gallery, Stuttgart, Germany
2019 ARTE FAIR with TO LIVE IS TO CHOOSE Gallery, Stuttgart, Germany
2019 Celebration of Australia Day in collaboration with the National Museum Australia and Gertrude Foundation at Australian High Commission in Ghana
2018 To celebrate the visit to Ghana of Their Royal Highnesses The prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall organized by the British High commission in Ghana, Jamestown cafe, Accra , Ghana
2018 AC1 (African Contemporary One) Nicholas Roman Fine Art, New York, USA
2018 African Day Summer Show, WTC The Hague Art Gallery, Netherlands
2017 Orange week (FUSE IT) Netherlands Embassy Accra, Ghana
2016 Barclay’s L'Atelier Finalists Show, Absa Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2016 Holland & Ghana Growing Together, Netherlands Embassy Accra, Ghana
2013 National Museum, Accra, Ghana
COLLECTIONS
Ashong Benjamin and Associates, Accra Ghana
The Netherlands Embassy, Accra, Ghana
Bentsi – Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah, Accra, Ghana
Ashesei University, Accra, Ghana
WORKSHOPS / PROJECTS
Imago Mundi (Contemporary Artists from Ghana)
32/64/90 2014 World cup Art project, Uniform creative
Consultancy UK - Selected Ghanaian Artist
Chalewote Art Festival 2017, Accra, Ghana
Chalewote Art Festival 2018, Accra, Ghana
AWARDS / COMPETITIONS
2019 Shortlisted for GUBA (USA) Influential Artist Award
2016 Barclays L'Atelier Art Competition, Johannesburg, South Africa -Top 100 finalists
2016 Kuenheyia Art Prize, Accra, Ghana - Top 10 finalists
2015 Kuenheyia Art Prize, Accra, Ghana -Top 10 finalists
