Ghanaian contemporary artist R. O. Mantey is set to showcase a collection of his works at the iKonica Art Gallery in Milan as part of an international exhibition highlighting environmental themes in contemporary art.
Milan exhibition
The five-day exhibition, titled “Interwoven System,” will run from March 16 to March 21, with viewing hours scheduled between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day.
Organisers have also scheduled a special open session on Tuesday, March 17, during which the public will enjoy free entry from 6:30 p.m.
The Milan exhibition marks another important milestone in the growing international career of the Ghanaian artist, whose work explores the intersection of nature, technology and environmental sustainability.
Childhood inspiration from Larteh
Mantey’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in personal memories of his childhood in Larteh, a town known for its lush vegetation and mountainous landscape.
Growing up among dense forests and towering trees, he developed an early appreciation for nature and the intricate ecosystems that flourish within forest environments.
Those early encounters with nature later became the foundation of his artistic philosophy.
According to the artist, the forests of his childhood represented more than a physical environment; they were living systems that embodied harmony, interconnectedness and cultural memory.
Witnessing environmental transformation
Over the years, however, he witnessed the gradual disappearance of many of those forests as urbanisation, infrastructure expansion and logging transformed the natural landscape.
The loss of the towering tree canopies that once defined his surroundings became a defining moment in his creative development.
Rather than simply lament the environmental changes, Mantey began exploring ways to transform those experiences into artistic expression.
His work now focuses on telling the stories of disappearing ecosystems and examining the relationship between human activity and environmental degradation.
Art from reclaimed materials
A distinctive feature of Mantey’s work is his use of reclaimed materials.
He often incorporates driftwood, discarded branches and wood remnants left behind by logging activities into his sculptural installations.
These natural elements are then combined with fragments of modern technology such as used computer boards, broken speedometers, car control boards and discarded mobile phones.
The juxtaposition of organic materials and electronic waste forms the core visual language of his artistic practice.
Nature meets technology
Through these materials, Mantey creates symbolic narratives that explore the tension between the natural world and the technological systems that increasingly shape modern life.
The weathered wood elements represent forests and ecosystems that once thrived, while the electronic components reflect the rapid pace of technological advancement and consumption.
By bringing these contrasting materials together, the artist invites viewers to reflect on how human development and technological progress are interconnected with environmental transformation.
Many of his sculptural works resemble branching networks, root systems or organic pathways, symbolising the invisible connections that sustain life on earth. According to the artist, each piece represents an attempt to reconstruct fragments of lost ecological memory.
Environmental advocacy
Beyond the studio, Mantey has also been active in environmental advocacy and community engagement.
He regularly works with schools and young people to promote environmental awareness, encouraging students to think critically about issues such as deforestation, sustainability and the importance of tree planting.
Through workshops and public discussions, he advocates for afforestation and reforestation initiatives, emphasising that environmental protection requires collective responsibility.
Commitment to sustainability
His artistic philosophy also reflects a strong commitment to sustainability.
By working primarily with discarded or repurposed materials, he challenges conventional notions of waste and consumption.
Objects that might otherwise be thrown away are transformed into sculptural forms that carry new meaning and purpose.
For the artist, every material carries a story, and the act of reclaiming discarded objects becomes part of a broader cultural statement about sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Growing international recognition
Mantey’s works have been exhibited widely across several countries, earning him recognition within the global contemporary art community.
His international exhibitions include the Galleria Africana Exhibition in Chicago in the United States, the Real Focus on Sustainability Art exhibition in London in July 2024, and solo exhibitions in Athens in November 2024 and December 2025.
He has also participated in exhibitions in Australia, including A Celebration of Soul Food, Culture and Freedom in June 2024.
Exhibitions in Ghana
In Ghana, the artist has held several exhibitions in Accra, including the African Art & Ghana’s Economy@50 exhibition in 2007, the Brighter Side of Life exhibition at the African Regent Hotel, the Vibe FM Street Art Exhibition and shows at the Galleria Africana in Osu and the Coconut Grove Hotel.
His works were also featured during the Juneteenth Family Gathering and the Soundout exhibition held alongside the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025.
Art with a message
The upcoming Milan exhibition is expected to further expand the international reach of his work while drawing attention to the environmental themes that define his artistic practice.
Through his installations and sculptures, Mantey continues to invite audiences to reflect on the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world.
His art serves both as a tribute to the forests that shaped his childhood and as a call for greater responsibility in protecting the ecosystems that sustain life.
