Creative Director of EDROSE Art Gallery
Edward Lamptey is a renowned Ghanaian artist celebrated for his expertise in Batik Art, Textile Design, and Pictorial paintings. The paintings of Edward Lamptey are deeply rooted in African traditions, particularly drawing inspiration from Yoruba and Akan cultural symbols to explore themes of African cosmology, societal cohesion, and heritage preservation.
Motifs as expressions of art, symbols, and art philosophy deeply inform the artistry of Edward Lamptey. These motifs are deeply embedded in the rich culture, religion, and history of his society.
Edward Lamptey’s career exemplifies a lifelong dedication to elevating African art while addressing contemporary socio-cultural challenges. His fusion of tradition and innovation positions him as a pivotal figure in Contemporary African Art.
Background & Artistic Style
Born in Accra, Ghana, Lamptey began painting at a young age, inspired by colonial historical figures found in library books. He studied Fine Arts in secondary school and later specialized in painting and textiles at the Polytechnic in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Artistic Focus
His art incorporates African motifs—symbols, human/animal forms, and geometric shapes—to communicate philosophical ideas about African belief systems. He describes his role as akin to a Griot, preserving collective African memories through visual storytelling.
Mediums
While best known for Batik (a wax-resist dyeing technique used in textiles), he also creates acrylic paintings such as “Romance Africa” and “Cultural Motifs”.
Key Contributions & Advocacy
Cultural Preservation
Lamptey’s work serves as a repository of African cultural knowledge, addressing themes like identity, history, and spirituality.He advocates for the establishment of a National Art Gallery in Ghana to preserve artifacts and support local artists. He criticizes the government’s underinvestment in the arts.
Exhibitions & Recognition
Participated in major festivals like PANAFEST (Ghana) and Black Heritage Festivals (Nigeria) since the 1990s. Recent exhibitions include “Afrobeat Celebration” and “Ancestral Mask” at Accra City Hotel (2023).
Featured in international platforms like DW (Deutsche Welle) and the Nubuke Foundation’s Wa Woori Exhibition (2021).
Educational Initiatives
Founded the Edrose Art Gallery in Accra, Ghana, offering workshops to empower artists and students. Collaborated with NGOs like the Rural Africa Development Foundation (RADeF) to teach Batik as a tool for economic empowerment.
Browse our collections
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Lagbaja Masks -
Togetherness -
Friendliness -
Rhythm of the past -
Brotherhood -
2 heads are better than one -
Romance -
Intricate Intrigues -
Colors of the African Soul -
Custodians of Our Cultural Heritage
Philosophy & Legacy
Neo-Africanism
Lamptey’s work reflects a modern reinterpretation of African traditions, blending music-inspired rhythms with visual creativity. He states, “I allow the rhythm to guide me throughout the creative process”.
Mentorship
Trained his community in Batik designs, ensuring the continuity of this traditional craft.
Educational Initiatives
His art challenges viewers to reflect on how belief systems sustain societies, contributing to global dialogues on African identity and cultural resilience.
Featured Articles
These are various articles I have been featured in.
Edward Lamptey’s Batik art borrows from the Yoruba and Akan traditions. Using these motifs, his art communicates concepts about African societies – asking how belief systems hold these together.
One of the unsung heroes in contemporary African Art who deserves recognition is Master Batik Artist and Painter Edward Lamptey. I describe him as a product of the post-colonial Ghana School of Art.
A batik textile artist, Mr Edward Lamptey, has called for the establishment of a National Art Gallery to serve as a repository for Ghanaian art and artifacts to help preserve the country’s cultural heritage for future generations.