Free and open to all.

Drop in to experience artist Nana-Essi Casely-Hayford’s work.

This event is part of a series of micro residencies in The Everybody Gallery, with a range of artists working with us over the coming months. Check out this page for more information.

About the Project

Red Mother Earth envisions a captivating celebration of African culture, history, and identity, curated within a shared community museum. This project will showcase a diverse range of African artefacts, from masks and household items to indigenous agricultural and medicinal items. Incorporating elements of nature, such as calabash, cocoa, and loofa sponge, Nana-Essi’s work will connect visitors with the essence of the African landscape.

Nana-Essi’s aim is to engage the community profoundly, not just through static exhibits but through integrated art forms, including dynamic written narratives. ‘Red Mother Earth’ seeks to awaken a sense of wonder and curiosity, sparking conversations about African heritage and fostering a deeper appreciation for its rich cultural tapestry.

About the Artist

Hailing from a lineage of storytellers, griots, and medicine women, Nana-Essi Casely-Hayford is a storyteller, writer and creative expression for wellbeing practitioner. With several years’ experience in her field of work, she uses a gamut of creative modalities to aid personal growth. Being of Ghanaian heritage, Nana-Essi is also inspired by the lived experience narratives she had the privilege of witnessing and experiencing during visits to her grandmother’s village and cocoa farm, which she declares was a breath-taking arboretum of mystical wonder.

On a deeper level Nana-Essi’s journey through life has been marked by the challenges of living with chronic illnesses and chronic pain. Her personal lived experiences have taught her the restorative and therapeutic effects stories can have on a person. Through skilful artistic writing, and other creative forms, she strives to convey the rich tapestry of human emotions and the depth of human experiences. A woman who defies societal norms and finds beauty in diversity, thus, she embraces the healing power of creativity in the face of physical challenges.

Nana-Essi’s careful regard, passion, grace, charm, and sense of humour shine through in her interaction with participants during her facilitation of creative sessions. Having worked for several decades in the arts, culture, and creative industries, primarily in collaborative settings, Nana-Essi is using this residency to finalise personal projects and share them with the wider community.