In this episode, I sit down with Ghanaian poet, writer, and curator Mr. Poetivist, whose work bridges the personal and political, the poetic and the performative. We talk about the beginnings of his writing journey, the meaning of poetry in a world on edge, and the poets who inspire his pen. He opens up about the challenges of building a creative career, confronting rejection, and using performance as protest.

We also explore the deeply impactful Don’t Let This Become Public, a project that boldly used poetry as a tool for political change.

Bio:

Born in Ghana, Mr. Poetivist is a poet, writer and curator with a unique voice that unearths the visuals of unsaid narratives. He commissioned a series of poems for Isshaq Ismail’s exhibition, Beyond the Fence, Begins the Sky, at Efie Gallery, UAE.

Additionally, he debuted his radio play, The Village We Are, on Berlin-based radio community, Refuge Worldwide. His poem Ode to Afrika was featured as the lead piece for TEDxAccra in 2021.

Poetivist challenges social and political injustices through poetry and creates immersive experiences that explore the boundaries between poetic expression and theatrical performance, engaging audiences in a profound dialogue about contemporary issues.