Okomfo Kofi Botwe Kyerematin

I am a young artist on the rise. I have been involved in visual and performing arts for most of his life and believe that my creations are not "art for art's sake," but healing art. Having grown up in the Akan tradition I have always been drawn to the drum.

I regard my creations as having a healing effect on the heart and body and especially the soul. I also believe that the drum has a connection to the spirit. I also believe that Nyame, the Abosum, and the Nsamanfo have directed me on my path.

I enjoy printmaking, drawing, painting, photography and ceramics, tapping into a spiritual well-spring that many people ignore or cannot see. "Art is spirit made flesh" and all of my art speaks to someone's spirit.

I have traveled to Ghana and East Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, visiting museums, art galleries and art shows along the way. I credit those varied experiences as having influenced me and molding my personal vision and perspective as well as the manner in which I embrace, expresses and interpret African art.

I attended elementary, middle school and high school at Ujamaa Shule located in Washington, DC, and graduated in 1995. I majored in art and theater arts at the University of the District of Columbia before deciding to go to art school. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia where I spent a year studying graphic design at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Later, I returned to Washington, DC, enrolled at Howard University and changed my major to printmaking. I graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.

After returning home to Washington, DC I accepted the call to go into training at AFSANI. This began my life's destiny to become an Okomfo. I had been attending AFSANI's service since 1997 after having been invited by Obrafo Kwesi Donkor to drum. I was so drawn by the spirit of their Akoms I became I regular drummer. Before I knew it I became a member of AFSANI. On a trip to Ghana, West Africa I received a message saying that one day I would become an Okomfo. I received subsequent messages from deities here in America prior to and after going to Ghana. So on May 24, 2003 I made the first step in becoming an Okomfo. I went into training to Nana Asuo Gyebi under my god mother Nana Akua Kyerewaa Opokuwaa.

Presently, I teach Art to middle school students. I am committed to using my special gifts and talents to teach youth different art forms and help them to express themselves and to heal, following a strong example of educators, an example exemplified by my parents Baba El Senzengakulu Zulu and Mama Almasi Wilcotts.