Biography

Japheth Asiedu-Kwarteng is an Artist and Ceramic Instructor based in Edinburg, Texas. He holds a BA Industrial Art (Ceramics) from KNUST, Ghana, and an MFA in Ceramics from Illinois State University, USA. 

Japheth is a member of International Academy of Ceramics, Artaxis and National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). He has exhibited his works extensively at reputable museums and galleries in Ghana and the United States including Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont TX, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento CA, Blue Line Arts, Roseville CA, Weston Art Gallery, Cincinnati OH, DAAP Galleries, Cincinnati OH, University Galleries, Normal IL, and Jamestown Café, Accra, Ghana. Japheth has several publications, lectures and presentations to his credit including his maiden presentation, Ghanaian Ceramics Now: Ahoↄden! at the 2021 NCECA Conference.

Japheth has works in the permanent collections of the University Galleries, Normal, Illinois and other private collectors in the United States.

Japheth Asiedu-Kwarteng was 2022 Valedictorian for the College of Fine Art, Illinois State University, IL.

Artist Statement

My work engages with the profound legacy of Ghanaian ceramics, bridging its rich historical foundations with a bold contemporary vision. Drawing upon the intricate symbolism of Kente patterns in textiles and Adinkra motifs, I transform these culturally significant elements into a visual language that challenges traditional boundaries and redefines ceramic art on an international stage. By navigating the intersections of form, symbolism, and materiality, my practice interrogates the tensions between tradition and modernity, cultural preservation and innovation, as well as the dynamic exchanges that occur within and across cultures.

At its core, my research delves into the concept of space—both physical and metaphysical—as a lens for exploring transitions through borders, identities, and emotional terrains. My work functions as a monumental visual diary, chronicling experiences of navigating spaces that evoke a spectrum of emotions: loss, belonging, acceptance, isolation, and nostalgia. This diary embodies the universal human experience of crossing thresholds—whether geographic, cultural, or personal—and reflects my commitment to creating art that resonates across different contexts.

My Portfolio

2023

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2022

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2021

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2020

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2016-2019

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2015

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2012

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2009

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STUDENTS PROJECTS

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