60 Seconds with Tina Ramos Ekongo

Tina Ramos Ekongo is an Equatorial-Guinean artist whose works celebrate feminism and the strength of womanhood. 

The Manchester-based artist shared delicate acrylic portraits celebrating the rich diversity and cultural vibrance of African women with us. Educated at the School of Art Zaragoza, Murcia and Valencia, Spain and Sheffield Hallam University, U.K., Ramos Ekongo talks with Ocean Africa about the strength in being African and why Frida Kahlo’s feminist legacy remains a significant influence on her work.

THE OCEAN AFRICAN: How long have you been painting?

TINA RAMOS EKONGO: I have been always painting and drawing. The so called talent has be with me since I was 7 years old. Even though I studied Art and Design, I didn’t consider painting as a way of make a living. In 2014 I decided to take it seriously when a friend got into my heart and brought my blessing back and now I see it as my life.

OA: What inspired you to paint the series of females behind their flags?  

TRE: It all started with a journey of self discovery, by trying to show the cultural and traditional richness that surrounded women all over the continent. I am telling my story, the story of every black woman.

OA: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

TRE: The style of my work, mainly portraiture, is very influenced on the African traditional murals on health campaigns and the artwork you find in African barbershops and hair salons, the work of the great artist Cheri Samba from who I have admiration and respect. The content and the history behind my work is inspired by the work of the surrealist Mexican artist Frida Khalo whose feminist approach has had a great effect on the way I depict the African woman.

OA: Women play such pivotal role in all our lives - do you have a woman who you admire and carried a positive image of women?   

TRE: I was raised in a matriarchy. My grandmother Mrs. Ekongo or known to everyone as Mama Yakongo, is the person who has inspired every part of my life. She epitomises what an African woman is - strength and courage. She is now over her 80 years old. As a single mother in the 50s in a colonized Equatorial Guinea, she fought back every racial, social, emotional, physical struggle life put in her way and she has been able to rise strong. An educated and humble African women. My family. She is my hero.

Tina Ramos Ekongo is based in Manchester, U.K. check out her art blog 

Follow her on Instagram