Support Atsu Gadri's Artistic Journey

I have watched Atsu Gadri grow as an artist: a dancer, writer and photographer. Because of his unique talent, I have taken him under my wings as a “son” and a mentee. Even with difficult and challenges, his growth has continued to amaze me. He has just been selected to attend Purple Mountain Residency for Artists in South Africa. The residency will offer him the space to continue building his craft as one of the most promising dancers from Ghana. However, due to the high cost of international travel, he can’t afford the flight cost. He is relying on donations from friends and family to buy the flight ticket that will take him closer to fulfilling his artistic dreams. Because of how much I believe in him and his artistic abilities, I decided to organize this fund drive for him. Please, help with what you can. Thank you.

His story:

Hello everyone, my name is Atsu Gadri, a Ghanaian dancer-choreographer, & photographer currently living and working in Accra, Ghana. It is my joyous pleasure to announce that I've been offered the wonderful opportunity to be part of a collective arts residency at the PURPLE MOUNTAIN ARTS RESIDENCY in South Africa.

I begun my creative career as a dancer. However, chronic health realities and accidents have made me continually readjust my artistic journey. Post covid, I turned to photography to channel my frustrations from being unable to dance or work for a short period.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Jack Mitchell, Barbara Morgan and Martha Swope who photographed and archived emergent American dance, I decided to archive Ghanaian dance practices which currently have very little documentation.

Currently, I explore many themes such as memory, the human body, queer existence and the results of the photographs, I consider a vehicle for personal healing and the observation of sheer living.

Last November, I premiered an intimate dance work, Imposition Of Self, at Alliance Française Ghana supported by the very same institution, which was a metaphor for the battered self, finding agency and freedom within subtle or open persecution. It was a monumental movement for me coming back to dancing after a long hiatus.

I want to carry this energy and share my movement practice to my fellow collective, offer wellness sessions to artists and the Porterville community.

In Spring 2025, Chapel of Love, a collaborative anthology film by 75 SHOTS Pocket Cinema, will come to life as part of the Purple Mountain Artist Residency in Porterville, South Africa at the foot of the Olifants River Mountains. This space embodies the values of social justice, providing refuge and community for mostly minority artists and activists.

Chapel of Love will delve into spirituality through a series of intimate vignettes, portraying sacred experiences, rituals, and identity as expressions of strength and authenticity. Together with local South African artists, we will co-create a film that celebrates love, identity, and spirituality.

Unoma Azuah is helping me raise funds to cover my travel costs. This will enable me bring this vision to life.

Current roundtrip flights from Accra to Johannesburg is at $860 via South African airlines. I am reaching out to you all, to help me participate in this cultural exchange, and arts practice, as I solidify my existence as an artist in practice and meaning. Thank you very much, your support will mean a lot to my dreams.