Annick Akanni is an African Australian artist, educator and textile designer based in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia. Inspired by her cultural heritage and an appreciation of the natural environment, Annick’s print and textile works explore storytelling through an interplay of texture, pattern, vibrant colour and striking imagery. An important part of Annick’s practice involves sharing creative skills through community art workshops for children, young people and families.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Annick talks about finding adventure and creativity at a young age; how a family collaboration led to an African-inspired home and lifestyle brand; and how travel, study and creative experiences led to arts projects connecting her with a diverse range of people and communities.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
My name is Annick Aisha Akanni, I identify as a woman of colour and 1st generation Australian, with Tanzanian, Beninese, Greek and Scottish heritage. I am a practising Hard-of-Hearing textile designer, and teaching artist-educator, specialising in surface pattern and woven textile design. I also have over four years in the art education sector working with children, young people and families. As an intentional designer, artist and teacher, I strive to provide inclusive and immersive spaces, where all children and young people can explore their imagination and innate artistic abilities – freely, openly, and without limitations. For me, value and respect for a child and young person’s sense of identity, from learning and navigating to adaptation for growth, are incredibly important to their creative well-being and development. When I am not making my textile art, you will find me facilitating and teaching creative art-based workshops for children, young people and families at a variety of different organisations, meeting and connecting with a diverse range of children and other cross-disciplinary creatives as well. I love the notion of a beautifully imperfect and magical space, that considers multi-generations and their communities – both challenged and treasured by children and young people.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
Gosh…I don’t remember exactly when I started, but what I do know is I’ve always been creative and it continuously evolves as time progresses. When I ask questions about what I was like as a kid, my family always say, I was a funny child, I was a very adventurous child, a wild child, a happy-go-lucky child, a fearless child, I loved running away from home ha-ha. I wanted to seek things out by myself, I was quite the storyteller and I loved the sensory play. Investigating, exploring and learning about the environment and world around me; allowed me to have a deep sense of awareness for everything. I was always very curious (I am still very curious) about what I observed and found during these moments both as a child and as an adult now. Then, once I gained further knowledge about these observations, ideas and curiosities, I developed an understanding of the greater details – which is extremely fascinating to me. All these characteristics of myself have built the foundation for my creativity and inspired me to pursue my creative path moving forward. I would say I was an experimental mixed-media artist before I became a textile designer.
Where did you grow up and has it influenced what you create?
I was born in Naarm (Melbourne) where we lived in and around the inner south-eastern suburbs. After my parents split, we moved to Boorloo (Perth) where I resided for the majority of my childhood and young adult years, visiting Melbourne every year to see my Papa.
I grew up mainly around my Tanzanian culture, as there is a large Tanzanian community in Perth. My mama always wore traditional African clothing, the fabric and patterns were very inspiring because of their colourful bold designs. We also have a traditional fabric from Tanzanian called a ‘kanga’ which is a lightweight 100% cotton printed cloth, with bright colours and decorative border details around the edges – this is mainly worn by women and occasionally men. My mama always had lots of African ornaments, objects and artwork around the home, so there were always different textures, surfaces and symbolises that I resonated with. Being around all this influenced me to create work that resonated with my African heritage. I have many ‘kangas’ that mum has gifted me that I treasure deeply and keep for when I want to either wear them or hang up one day.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
In 2017, my aunty Caroline and I thought we’d take a leap and start a small business called ‘Tinga Style’. Tinga Style is an Australian-designed, African-inspired home & lifestyle brand that pays homage to traditional Tinga Tinga Art from Tanzania, East Africa. We wanted to create beautiful products, in small batches, that brought a more contemporary, unique and eccentric feel to homewares but were still tasteful, refined and aesthetically pleasing.
This was something new to both of us, because of how big and competitive the industry is for small business owners and entrepreneurs. My aunty had the business-savvy mind and I had the creative brains – and together we worked well to get our vision across and out for the world to see. There is something quite special when you do something creative with family, and although this new venture has been challenging and rewarding at the same time, we continued to remain humble and grateful to be able to work together as a team and share our passion with others. We are very blessed to this day, that our family, friends and the wider community love our cushions and the little story behind it all.
As well as our decorative cushions, we released two silk scarves, large and rectangular, designed and screen printed on high-quality silk crepe de chine. These scarves are not just scarves to be worn on your head, but more statement pieces to be worn on the body in any which way the wearer sees fit. The two bright colourways were a testament to the colours of Tanzania and the Indian Ocean waters between our home here in Australia and our motherland of Africa.
Tell us about your current project.
I just finished doing an intense two weeks of creative kids workshops with Fremantle Arts Centre for their Term 3 school holiday program. I facilitated multiple workshops such as block print exploration, collage art, mixed-media portraiture, chalk and pastel painting, watercolour techniques and tie-dyeing. The days were quite busy, but the creative team and FAC staff are always welcoming and encouraging and make sure each tutor’s class runs smoothly and efficiently. Although I am exhausted by my last class, I don’t feel so burnt out because the support is always there to ensure we all deliver exceptional programs for children and young people that come along.
I am also starting a new role as an Art Educator at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, where I’ll be working with a lovely creative team led by Lilly Blue, who has been such a wonderful, responsive and inspiring mentor for me since relocating back to WA.
I also hope I can start making some textiles again…watch this space!!!
Who or what inspired your practice?
My family inspires me first and foremost. We are a small family and tie-knit. When you have a family that is supportive of your dreams and aspirations it cements so much belief in yourself to persevere with what you love.
My family has such a rich cultural heritage and I love that we are all so different, yet still have a sense of belonging together and we share our experiences.
When I relocated to Melbourne to do the Textile Design degree at RMIT, my older sister Mary-Rose was my biggest support, she was at every important event when it came to my art practice, and she became my second mum as well as a big sister (mum was in Perth). She encouraged me to take risks, and leaps and challenges myself in my creative journey – and they paid off in numerous ways. I lived in Melbourne for 13 years and accomplished so many things and had some amazing opportunities, like being selected to live and work in Como, Italy at one of their textile manufacturers designing high-end fashion and home furnishings – was one great experience.
I would also say that travel inspires my practice widely too. When I was about two years old, my younger sister and I travelled with our mama to Tanzania and lived there for a year. Even though I was young, this was a very significant time in my early years, because I loved living in the village. I loved being and playing outside with all my cousins, I was constantly moving and exploring, I was fond of the local animals and other children, and I loved EATING – the local cuisine, Yum! I couldn’t get enough! I learned and spoke Swahili fluently too. This was my only time visiting Tanzania. I’ll have to go back as an adult and experience it again – Mum keeps saying how fantastic it is. I plan to visit one day soon.
I was also very fortunate to visit my Papa’s homeland of Benin, West Africa – and I went twice, once in my primary years and another as a young adult. I loved visiting the village where my dad grew up and seeing my aunties and cousins. The flea markets were the best because this is where you found so many cool things, the fabrics, the accessories, the adornments, the jewellery and artworks local to Benin and the people. I also loved visiting the local museums/galleries where you saw local craftspeople, weaving bags, painting on canvas, carving wood, and other beautiful handmade products. This was one of the best experiences of my life and I would go back and visit again any day. I still have beautiful material from Benin and also handmade dolls and other collectables.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
I feel most creative when I am surrounded by nature. I am a wanderer by heart and soul, and I love going for long walks and explorations where I feel a sense of stillness and tranquillity. It’s a great way for me to relax my mind, as I am constantly running overdrive. I suffer from high blood pressure and get migraines regularly and I think that as a hard-of-hearing person, being away from my everyday routine and escaping to any kind of nature walk or open landscape allows me to reset. I reset, recharge and start to regain the energy to think and feel again. I love writing in my many journals about the new ideas I have or the many random things that tend to get bottled up in my mind.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
I hope that you can see my authenticity in my journey as an artist and woman of colour. I like to share aspects of my life and the people and things that inspire me. I struggle a lot with opening up about certain aspects of myself, yet I also like to encourage others to not be afraid to do what they love and do it proudly. I have so many people to thank in my life for all the lessons, mentoring, guidance and support in my creative journey. I just hope that audiences enjoy what I do whether it’s when I share the textiles I will start to make again or the creative workshops I run with the many wonderful children and young people I meet. I hope audiences come on a journey and know that art has always and will always be my greatest achievement when shared with others.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to potentially having the opportunity to be part of an art project where I work with first nations children and young people in remote & regional communities in Western Australia. I have been wanting to do this kind of work for a long time, and as a non-indigenous creative I think it’s of extreme importance to learn more and work with this country’s indigenous children. I know that this will be most challenging and very confronting and uncomfortable at times, but that’s what we need to acknowledge in this country. How are all children and young people supposed to feel safe, secure and supported when the opportunities are very limited for the children and young people native to this country? I am also looking forward to creating workshops for local African communities and other minority groups here in Perth one day.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
I have been loving the work of black and queer artist and filmmaker Lilah Benetti – @easylilah – Their work is powerful and a beautiful representation of so many variations of black identities. Their work is honest and I can see so many people connect with the work Lilah demonstrates.
I also adore the textile work of Tamara Leacock from @remusedesigns. Sustainable naturally-dyed natural fabrics that are handmade and sewn into the most beautiful textile pieces/wearable art – plus Tamara has the most divine soul.
Lastly, my sister Amelia who is a fashion designer in London is part of this amazing collective and a non-profit organisation called @Flourishindiversity based in London, which supports underrepresented creatives’ access to fashion jobs. It’s inclusion, equity, fashion and sustainability all in one.
Where can we find and follow you online?
You can find me on Instagram at @studioannickaisha and @tingastylehome – I have a FB page linked to both of these accounts.