Nana-Dictta Graves on Art, Micro-Mosaics and Storytelling

Renowned Micro-mosaic fine artist Nana-Dictta Graves arrived in Dublin at the invitation of the Valley Children’s Museum and we caught up with her to discuss her views, plans and vision.

We all have stories we tell ourselves about our accomplishments, ambitions and goals and each of us brings a unique perspective on our place in the world. Few of us however have had the opportunity to use our stories to create masterpieces that influence and inspire the stories of others.

The multi-talented and award winning Nana-Dictta Graves tells her remarkable story about life in Ghana and her rise to national fame for the groundbreaking organic and eco-friendly works of art she produces. Her first solo exhibition in the Ghanaian capital of Accra was opened by the wife of the Vice President and her works were viewed by about 30,000 people. A pervasive inner strength and resolute determination to make her mark led her from her birthplace on the West Coast of Africa to a new home in the USA.

With the theme for going green at the core of her artwork she has transfixed audiences with her pieces and connected them to her African roots.

She has an extensive list of accomplishments but this has not diminished her energy or passion for the arts and her creative flair extends to African dance, clothing design and opera singing as well. Her varied skills have led her to run Diversity Workshops for corporate clients and she is often a guest speaker for various events.

One of her most well-known public mosaic artworks was commissioned by the City of Pittsburg, California and can be found on the marina. The colorful and detailed mural incorporates themes of life in Pittsburg including the farmers market, marina base fishing, seafood festival and tourism.

Uplifting others through her work is also a key driver for her plans which currently include the establishment of a Foundation in her late mother’s name. Her mother was a formative influence and to honor her memory Nana-Dictta envisages the formation of a Foundation that will support and encourage creative endeavor irrespective of age and gender. Inspired by the longevity and productivity of the founder of the Contra Costa County Academy of Fine Arts she remarks that creativity is not inhibited by aging and should be granted avenues for expression that provide an outlet wherever the artist finds themselves.

“Art is a tool of healing,” says Nana-Dictta and her work with mental health institutions involves capturing the creative minds of patients to encourage the emergence of normalcy through allowing them to express their inner conflicts and obtain a different perspective.

When asked about her experience of race and diversity she explained “It takes all of us, all of our beings, to come together to create a quilt. Opportunities to encounter each other allow us to learn acceptance of difference and to use these differences to build something better and more beautiful”.

Her work with the Valley Children’s Museum (VCM) in Dublin already made a significant impact. Dawn Benson, past President and Mobile Museum Manager at the VCM indicated that they had an amazing day at the museum during the recent Splatter Festival in Dublin. She indicated that “over 1,300 people came to the museum for fun with tiles, mosaics and oyster shells.” She also expressed her thanks to Nana-Dictta and Naikitta Design and dancing for the outstanding program. “Thank you to our precious volunteers for their dedication to the museum. Thank you for a stellar day of fun at Splatter” she said.

Valley Children’s Museum provides opportunities for educational play for children, families and school groups through fun, interactive exhibits and programs. Designed as a kid-friendly community with themes that reflect the Tri-Valley and local communities, the museum stimulates curiosity, creativity, imagination, and learning through exploration of the natural world, the sciences, the arts, and social role-playing.

Nana-Dictta encourages other artists to believe in their own strength and to listen carefully to the whispers inside that drive them to create works that acknowledge both our uniqueness and unity and make life’s journey more beautiful.

Hers is certainly a journey that we are bound to hear more of and as a parting word of encouragement Nana-Dictta said “Artists in general; help move our community forward by showing us humanity at its most inspired, and reminding us of the power of human energy and narrative point of view”.

Vanessa Thomas for The Dublin Art Collective

Photo credit: Naikitta Design