The Art of Motherhood in the African Creative Space
Have you ever envisioned leading a successful career while also raising a family? This thought can seem daunting, particularly for driven women. For years, I observed my colleagues navigate the dual demands of motherhood and professional ambitions, often under the weight of subtle criticisms and the pervasive doubt of whether it's truly possible to “have it all”. These concerns became personal when, as I was climbing the career ladder, I was pregnant with each of my sons. Would becoming a mother be perceived as a decline in my professional commitment?
This personal journey and the challenges I witnessed in the workplace inspired me to establish the Working Motherhood Initiative. Our mission is to advocate for environments where career and motherhood are not at odds but are complementary—where African women do not have to sacrifice professional growth for family, nor family for professional success.
Embracing motherhood is not a compromise but a transformative experience. It not only filled my life with joy but also revealed an inner strength I hadn't tapped into before. My apprehensions dissolved, giving way to a renewed mission and robust resilience.
This special Mother's Day feature, in collaboration with Chapter54, highlights similar experiences of African mothers in the arts and creative fields. These profiles do more than just recount stories of balancing life's roles; they showcase how motherhood can fuel success at the peak of one's career. They dismantle old myths and illuminate the beautiful convergence of personal and professional development. I hope these narratives inspire you, affirming that motherhood is not an impediment but a powerful, enriching journey that can enhance every facet of a woman's life.
1. Ama Ofeibea Tetteh
Founder and Lead Creative Consultant, Chapter54 | Ghana / UK
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Becoming a mother of three has dramatically transformed my approach to work and creating. Oftentimes these changes appear in more subtle ways, but on reflection are inextricably linked to my motherhood. Beyond the usual challenges that most parents face around balancing time, logistics and family, it has presented me the opportunity to re-evaluate what I define as purpose and success in terms of career. Motherhood has truly inspired me to embrace a less prescriptive approach to work and pursue multiple creative ideas and ventures that align more with purpose as opposed to a specific role or organisation. ”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Be open to fluidity, learning and discovering along the way and allowing yourself to prioritise different things at different times. Take advantage and ownership of some of the flexibility the creative space offers in order to achieve a balance that works for you and your family. Working effectively in the sector whilst being a mother needn’t be mutually exclusive. Also, by staying connected to other mothers in the space for support and advice; it becomes increasingly evident that there are so many who are also figuring out this precious balance as we go along.”
2. Maame Adjei
Creative Entrepreneur | Ghana
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Being a mum heightened my creativity and sharpened my time management skills - Both are critical to expanding as a creative. It also really helped me be a little less fearless when it came to executing creative projects that had been sitting dormant in my soul for a long time. I truly believe that kids really show up to elevate your goals and dreams and support their manifestation. My creativity is highly inspired by my surroundings and my son is the apex of that.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Balance! That’s my advice. embrace Balance. Allow the moments of stillness and no activity to exist. Allow the moments of being hyper present with your child to exist. Those are the moments that will fuel you when you get back into a productive work zone.”
3. Anne Sackey
Marketing and Communications Director, Ghana Climate Innovation Centre | Ghana
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Motherhood brings many challenges, yet it fosters growth, self-discovery, and creativity in my work. It has deepened my emotional sensitivity and empathy and has honed my time management and multitasking skills. It has broadened perspective, and I am constantly inspired through my daughter’s perspective of innocence and wonder. Motherhood instils a heightened sense of purpose, driving me to do what I do, with purpose.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Navigating work and motherhood in the creative space demands balance, flexibility, and self-compassion. Prioritize tasks, delegate when possible, and set realistic expectations. Embrace imperfection and recognize the importance of self-care for productivity. Establish boundaries to protect your time. Seek help from family, friends, and fellow creatives. Find joy in the journey, knowing that motherhood has changed you and can enhance your creativity. Trust yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.”
4. Nadia Mounier
Visual Artist and Photographer | Egypt
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“As a visual artist and photographer, my work is centred on exploring identity and self-representation, recently through the lens of family history and the social-political dynamics embedded within it. In my recent projects, I delve into photo archives to uncover stories that connect past and present. Becoming a mother has given me a new perspective on my own childhood, compelling me to reflect on the evolving relationship I have with my mother. This journey has led me to a triadic intersection where photography, self-image, and societal perceptions meet, with motherhood serving as a powerful and recurring theme. Through my work, I aim to explore the complex layers of personal and collective histories while challenging narratives around family and identity.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Approach the balance between work and motherhood in the creative field with patience and calm. The stress of juggling both roles can be overwhelming. Make sure to communicate your needs clearly. Don’t shy away from embracing your role as a mother. Let your workplace see that motherhood and professional creativity can coexist. This visibility is a powerful catalyst for change; when others see a working mother excelling, it challenges outdated perceptions and paves the way for a more inclusive environment. One of the most harmful notions in the past has been the strict division between motherhood and professional life. By showing that these roles can blend, you contribute to a cultural shift that benefits everyone, both at work and at home”
5. Yasmine El Meleegy
Independent Multidisciplinary Artist | Egypt
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“As a new mom to a three-year-old daughter, I’ve noticed that we’re inadvertently shaping each other’s thoughts. This aspect of motherhood, where our actions become a collaborative effort, is what I cherish the most.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Time management is crucial! Maintaining balance is easier when you’re flexible with both work and parenting responsibilities.”
6. Miriam Dembo
Multidisciplinary Research Consultant | Cabo Verde / United Kingdom
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Mothers are among the most creative people on the planet. When my children were little, I realised that acts of everyday creativity describe a large portion of the creative work that mothers accomplished, whether is to combine our children’s taste preferences or hectic family schedules. The fact is that there is a great chance for both professional and personal development when the paths of parenting and creativity converge. For example, mothers are inherently nurturing beings, we provide an atmosphere where our kids can develop, learn, and thrive. This nurturing mentality is essential for leaders to empower their teams, support their growth, and help them reach their greatest potential. Beyond just raising our own children, our natural capacity is a strong suit to inspire creativity. Due to the demands of the society and pressure over women, we are in the perfect position to use transform our challenges in opportunities and create work that reflects the social reality we live in. We do it all, and more.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Every mother in the creative sector should remember themselves that they are capable of more than they know., be kind to themselves, find beauty in the struggle, and embrace the unpredictability of being a mother and a professional as an advantage rather than a weakness. Our passion for work does not detract from the love for your kids, on the contrary, one fuel the other. Treating ourselves with kindness will bring us closer to success. Above all, think about the legacy that you are leaving behind. Children can be inspired to take on obstacles head-on and follow their goals by their mothers’ perseverance, tenacity, passion, resilience and adaptability.”
7. Essé Dabla-Attikpo
Art Consultant, Independent Curator & Project Manager for the Benin Pavilion, Venice Biennale Country | Benin
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“For me, being a mother shifts your priorities. It has forced me to explore sustainable ways to be a creative. Now that I have a little human to take care of, it is of the utmost importance to make sure I both enjoy what I do, stay curious and stimulated but most importantly make a living out of it and cater for the needs of my baby. ”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Choose the co-parent wisely! Jokes aside, it literally takes a village to raise a kid. Having a good support system is key. For me, it helps tremendously to have other creative friends who have chosen similar pathways and who I can share experiences with and turn to for advice. ”
8. Chrissa Amuah
Multi-Disciplinary Designer, Curator, Editor & Design Consultant; Founder, Africa By Design | Ghana / United Kingdom
Image by Spark Creative
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Words cannot even begin to express the significance and impact motherhood has had on me. It exceeds every cliché, but a simplified attempt would explain that having my son has been my biggest blessing and motivation to do better and be better. I was actually expecting when I received the commission to design the ‘2.81’ light, for Diageo’s Mortlach By Design series. Motherhood has made me wish more for him and myself. A lack of time has been my biggest challenge, but in many ways I also work more efficiently; I’m consciously selective in deciding my priorities.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Be kind to yourself. Take a moment to pause and just breathe - at first I used to get so frustrated that I was not getting everything done that I needed to. I still get frustrated, but I’ve reconciled that I’m not going to get this time back with my son, so I seek to savour our moments. Manage the expectations of those you work with and honour your time without guilt.”
9. Daphne Kasambala
Co-founder & CEO, Meekono | Malawi / United Kingdom
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Motherhood infuses my entire being with profound insights and empathy, enriching every creative process with a unique perspective born from the joys, challenges, and tender moments of having raised children. It instils in me a heightened sense of responsibility and purpose, driving me to create meaningful and impactful work that resonates with my Self. Motherhood inspires me to explore themes of love, resilience, growth, and interconnectedness every day, infusing my work with warmth, compassion, and an appreciation for the beauty of life’s journey. Through the lens of motherhood, I find myself more attuned to the Human experience. Ultimately, being a mother fuels my purpose, reminding me that creativity, from whatever source, has the power to connect, heal, and inspire across time, generations and locations.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“It’s about balance, not perfection. Remember to always be flexible and prioritise self-care as you juggle the demands of work and motherhood in the creative space. Set realistic goals for yourself and your team, hire good people, delegate tasks when possible, and don’t hesitate to ask for support from your community. Cultivate a supportive community, both professionally and personally, to share experiences and resources, and get authentic and useful feedback. Remember to celebrate each step forward, no matter how small. Trust in your creativity.”
10. Agnes Ofosu-Appiah
Principal Architect, ArchXenus | Ghana
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“Becoming a mother has profoundly influenced my professional outlook. It’s heightened my awareness of responsibility, prompting me to reconsider the long-term impacts of my work on future generations. I now have a much more heightened sense of responsibility and as such prioritize sustainability, recognizing the importance of preserving our environment for my children and their descendants. Additionally, I’m driven by the desire to leave a meaningful legacy, not only in terms of career accomplishments but also in creating a better world for my family and society as a whole.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Strive to reduce the separation of work and life by consciously integrating work and life. That way you can ensure your presence and engagement in every task be it with family or with work. And although you cannot win at both all the time and at the same time , I believe this approach minimizes the barriers between work and family responsibilities, enabling you to invest love and care consistently, which can offset the impact of occasional absences due to work commitments like meetings or business trips.”
11. Temitayo Ogunbiyi
Artist | Nigeria
Image by Matthias Willi
How being a mother impacts and inspires the work I create:
“I think my children heavily impact my work, expanding my curiosity and unconsciously introducing me to new ways to approach play and improvisation. In some of my works on paper, my children and I have collaborated to create works. They have helped me to wrap playground bars, and test various bar designs. One work, marks one of the first instances where I returned to colour after 3 years of greyscale pencil on paper works. In this work, the orange crayons marks are hers, having responded to a pencil outline of mine. I then added additional markings in response to hers; it is a call-and-response between the two of us.”
Advice for navigating work and motherhood in the creative space:
“Keep going. Do something each day to further your creative practice, even if that simply means writing down a passing thought. Do your best and don’t be too hard on yourself.”
