After an artist from Ghana was mocked for wearing traditional African garb, he decided to take the opportunity to teach the world something about African culture and how it can and does intersect with American culture.
Ghanaian-born New York artist Dennis Owusu-Ansah got to work reimagining black artists and celebrities with traditional African names and dress and posted the results online, and the work is nothing less than stunning.
“I figured something must be done to change the perspective of people who are not familiar with the African culture… They had no idea what my friend was wearing. One of the guys shouted ‘That man has a blanket wrapped around his body like it’s winter time.’ I saw this incident as an opportunity to educate people about who we are, and what we stand for through my art… Africa isn’t only about what the media portrays on television [it is] a continent rich in history, diversity and traditions,” Owusu-Ansah explained.
The drawings were posted to his Instagram account and have been liked and shared thousands of times as the internet celebrates Owusu-Ansah’s creativity and vision.
Take a look at some of the reimagined celebrities (and their new names) below and let us know what you think.