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| Shiri Achu |
My name is Shiri Achu Morcho and my heritage is deeply planted in the North
West Region of Cameroon. My father –
Baforchu; My mother - Awing.
I currently live between London and USA and I'm an Artist/Painter and an Architect. I qualified as an Architect in 2006 and practiced for a number of years but when the economy plummeted, I saw myself taking a rather natural turn to what is inherently a great love - painting! I've always wanted to work as both an Artist and an Architect, so I'm pleased that today, I am.
As an Architect, I have worked with Foster and Partners in London and Berlin
and worked for Scott Brownrigg in Covent Garden, London. Privately I undertake
small commissioned jobs.
As an Artist - Shiri Achu of SHIRIACHUART - my art comes from
everyday unsurprising yet unexpectedly vivid moments, times, places and
objects. I draw insight from my travels particularly from natural moments
captured in Africa especially my home country – Cameroon.
I have been awarded The Best Artist in Brent by the Brent Council,
London, UK. I was short listed and appeared on the BBC art show - ‘Show me the
Monet’ in July 2012 and notable icons such as football legend Roger Milla, and
Grammy award singer Faith Evans own my art. My art sells at The Smithsonian/National museum of African Art, Washington DC, USA as well as in Prague,
Lisbon, Australia, Cameroon and numerous other cities around the world.
I have painted a grandmother pounding Achu, women mixing yellow Achu
soup, a young girl climbing a pawpaw tree, a mother carrying her child on her
back etc. These are all typical scenes found in Cameroon painted to express just
how beautiful those simple everyday moments (showcasing the culture of
Cameroon) can be. I exhibit and promote my work in the West so that they can
see a little of Cameroon and learn a little of the culture.
What is particularly thrilling to me is the fact that when people
(especially from the western world) buy my work, they are expressing their love
for and celebrating the culture of Cameroon. I’m excited to share that two of
my paintings (1.1.11 Baforchu celebrates and 1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrate)
depicting the ‘toghu’ the traditionally embroidered clothing worn by the North
West Region have been purchased by many people from various corners of the
world.
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| 1.1.11 Bachorfu celebrates |
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| 1.1.11 Baforchu big men celebrate |
The people of the North West Region are humble, peaceful, hard
working and determined to develop their Region. I admire their spirit, their
culture, and their determination. These reasons motivate me to express myself
and the culture, the best way I can, through my paintings.
I would love to continue in being involved in the development of
the North-West Region through my art. Painting more to promote the culture
worldwide. My wish would be to see an increase in tourism as a result of people
seeing my art. I paint to express the culture and the spirit of its people so I
wish for people in the Western world to be intrigued by what they see and have
a desire to visit.
My dreams and hopes for Bamenda and the North-West Region are
many; As much as I would love to see the increase number of interest/tourism
which would hopefully boost the economy, I pray for good arts schools in
Bamenda and the North West. I know there are very many talented artists in
Cameroon who are not given the opportunity to express themselves in their arts
due to lack of facilities for training and developing as well as parents only
wishing their children to follow the very straight academic route to becoming a
doctor, teacher etc.
I visited Kenya and came back mesmerized by the Maasai and their
culture – I thought, hold on, I already knew the Maasai even before I went to
Kenya! I then made a somewhat abstract painting ‘Maasai tone’ which people recognize
instantly as the ‘Maasai’ - even though the men in the painting are faceless!
They are recognized just by their stance and their robes! I am fascinated by this.
If I could only get that sort of worldwide recognition for a single tribe in
Cameroon that would be fantastic!! With the many various diverse cultures and
practices in each region in Cameroon, and representing Bamenda, I will aspire
to do this with the ‘toghu’, amongst others who celebrate the ‘toghu’ through
fashion etc
‘Project New Bamenda’ is a
fantastic and forward thinking initiative and makes a lot of sense! I am so
excited and honored to be given the opportunity to be part of this great
movement. I thank the Initiators for their wisdom and love for the North West
Region and in this initiative.
Bamenda is sitting, stirring and ready to explode. I am going to
be so excited and present, when it does.
One last One
My favourite
dish
Choosing
from the myriad of wonderful dishes, I would have to say my favourite meal from
Bamenda is Achu.
My favourite
place
Bamenda Station (from
that top point, looking down)
My favourite
proverb
Give a man a
fish and you feed him for a day; teach
a man to fish and he’ll eat forever.
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