ATO HASFORD (2024)
@Oteankanduro
Ghanaian artist Ato Kwamina Hasford is an intuitive and experimental performance artist, singer and expressive body and movement artist. Throughout the years, he’s created his original work with a critical look at ‘the self’ which is an important element to his narratives that naturally capture the story of the effeminate through the subjects of culture, social constructs, spirituality and sexuality in the African context.
“My time in the Odd One Out residency with Platform RF in Vaasa was nothing short of transformative. Arriving in April during the last weeks of winter, I quickly became immersed in a whirlwind of activities. I had the privilege of leading a workshop for fine arts students at Novia University in Jakobstad and was honored to perform at Vaasan Taidehalli, thanks to Panu, a Platform member, who generously added me to a program I wasn’t originally part of. This serendipitous opportunity led to my first collaboration with Finnish artist Oscar Hagen (N-SÄCK BÜDD), marking the start of a journey filled with creative exploration, support, and sheer bliss.
The Platform team offered me unwavering encouragement throughout my stay, from organizing excursions to making valuable recommendations for my project, even designing my performance costume! Their rallying support culminated in helping me form a band—a dream I hadn’t thought possible in such a short time.
Additionally, Platform’s collaboration with Artists at Risk made it possible for me to remain in Finland, away from the oppressive homophobia in my home country of Ghana, as we await the judiciary’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
I am deeply grateful to the City of Vaasa, the local police, Vaasa for Palestine, Regnbågsallians, Jakarte, Insidan, Juke rf, Svenska Gården, for standing by my activism, not only allowing but actively collaborating with me to educate the community on issues of blackness, queerness, and global injustices, particularly in Congo, Sudan, and Palestine.
My heartfelt love goes out to the Mokole band and crew, whose camaraderie and talent made my residency truly special. Thank you, Platform RF, for giving me this life-changing experience.”