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Essé “Essenam” l Art Consultant, Curator & Public Speaker

@thisnobeart

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Art Consultant, Curator & Public Speaker
Connecting collectors, artists & institutions
2024 Project Manager Benin Pavilion, Venice Biennale
🇬🇭Ghana

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Paris is calling all lovers of Black art. I have made another selection of shows featuring African and Afrodescendant artists.

Feel free to reach out if you’ll be in Paris mid-October and would like to connect and/or join me for gallery hopping (link in bio)! À BIENTÔT !

Black Art | African Art | Afrodiasporic Art | Art exhibition | This No Be Art | Gallery hopping | Art tours | Art exhibition | Paris | France taken in Paris, France by @thisnobeart

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7 days ago

COUCOU ! Paris this September / October is a Black art Paradise. I have made a selection of must see shows. Feel free to reach out if you’ll be in Paris mid-October and would like to connect and/or join me for gallery hopping! À BIENTÔT !

Black Art | African Art | Afrodiasporic Art | Art exhibition | This No Be Art | Gallery hopping | Art tours | Art exhibition | Paris | France taken in Paris, France by @thisnobeart

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19 days ago

With the beginning of the second half of the year, it feels like the right time to say hello - especially to everyone who’s joined this community over the past few months.

Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m Essé or Essenam, an Accra-based independent curator and art consultant, and the founder of This No Be Art.

For over 13 years, I’ve worked across the West African creative ecosystem, helping artists build sustainable careers, guiding collectors as they begin or grow their collections, and connecting businesses and institutions with contemporary African art that reflects their spaces and values.

I believe art should be accessible, conversations around collecting should feel less intimidating, and artists deserve thoughtful, strategic support as they navigate their careers.

If you’ve followed me for artist resources, you’re in the right place. If you’re curious about collecting African art, you’re in the right place. And if you’re simply interested in thoughtful conversations about contemporary African art and the people shaping it, you’re definitely in the right place.

As we step into the second half of the year, I’m looking forward to sharing more behind the scenes of my curatorial practice, artist insights, collecting advice, exhibition highlights, and the projects I’m privileged to work on.
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If you’re new here, I’d love to get to know you.

Tell me in the comments:
What brought you here: are you an artist, a collector, or simply someone who loves art?✨

Art consultant | curator | west Africa | Accra | Ghana | Art taken in Montreal, Quebec by @thisnobeart

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3 months ago

Chose promise, chose due 😊
Check the link in bio to get our listing of 27 exhibitions featuring African and Afrodiasporic artists in Paris, this fall.

The guide includes: dates, rates, Google Maps, addresses, and links to the Instagram pages.

#guide #blackart #exhibitions #paris #fall
Art guide | listing | galleries | museums | france | paris | fall 2026 | contemporary art taken in Paris, France by @thisnobeart

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a day ago

Ain’t we all?
Some places bring out your best self. Art Crossings Dakar, is a curated art trip for those who collect experiences as passionately as art. An intimate group, an exclusive itinerary.

Comment « DAKAR » to reserve your place.

Art trip | Dakar | Senegal | Biennale | Dak’Art biennale | group trip | 5 star travel | travel | west Africa | Intimate | curated | This No Be Art | Luxury travel | Art | contemporary Art | African Art | Black Art taken in Dakar, Senegal by @thisnobeart

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9 days ago

I have lived in Accra for over a decade and built a strong network of curators, artists, art institutions directors across Ghana, Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Senegal.
This year, come with me to the Dak’Art Biennale! With my intimate art trip, Art Crossings, I give access to my network to a small group. Comment Dakar if interested, hurry up, places are limited!

Art trip | Dakar | Senegal | Biennale | Dak’Art biennale | group trip | 5 star travel | travel | west Africa | Intimate | curated | This No Be Art | Luxury travel taken in Accra, Ghana by @thisnobeart

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10 days ago

I enjoyed supporting Imal with his application.

Over a dozen of years working in the art sectors I have seen close to thousands of applications and I have been part of several juries. I know what makes a strong application, what catches a jury attention, what’s an immediate red flag, etc.

And now I am sharing this knowledge with you!

DM me if you too, you need help to apply for an art opportunity.

Art consultant | curator | this no be Art | art | application support | art opportunities | Ghana White text on a red background
Text reads: Essé offers her knowledge and experience in a most relatable manner in the delivery of her professional services.
Practical, informed and understanding her clients’ needs deeply.
It’s a pleasure working with her. taken in Accra, Ghana by @thisnobeart

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14 days ago

September was good
Met Kofi Setordji in his house

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Fell in love with this piece

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Witnessed this amazing installation by @ibrahimmahama3 in Aburi

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Got inspired by the design at Kokrobitey Institute

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Witnessed @ibrahimmahama3 becoming chevalier des arts et des lettres

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Co-curated « The Gulf of Guinea Speaks » at the Danish Embassy with @fanglogonart

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September

September was good
Co-curated « The Gulf of Guinea Speaks » at the Danish Embassy with @fanglogonart

This No Be Art | Accra | Ghana | contemporary art | curator | Art consultant | blessed | September taken in Accra, Ghana by @thisnobeart

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15 days ago

I follow African and diasporan artists doing brilliant work across the world, and this November I’m taking 8 people to Dakar to witness them live.

This Dak’Art season, experience the Biennale the way it’s meant to be felt: intimate, insider, immersive. Stay at The Palms, move through exhibitions and artist conversations with me as your guide. Breakfasts and lunches included. Three entry points—single room, shared double, or accommodation optional—and early bird rates until 30 September.

Comment Dakar for the details.

immersive | curator-led | intimate experience | Black artists | Dak’Art Biennale | Senegal | curated travel | African contemporary art | Dakar | November taken in Dakar, Senegal by @thisnobeart

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17 days ago

I am the little girl 👧🏾
I was born and raised in Mayenne, France - 15 000 habitants, very few Black people
Fast forward 2013, I found myself in Accra and haven’t left west Africa since…
Follow to discover my journey.

Accra | Ghana | Art Curator | Art Consultant | Black Art | Contemporary Art | African Contemporary Art | Art Collecting taken in Accra, Ghana by @thisnobeart

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16 days ago

There’s something I like about the “kinda chic” trend. It makes you pause and appreciate the little things that quietly make up your life.

Not everything has to be a major achievement. Sometimes it’s the work you’re learning to trust, the interests you’re allowing yourself to explore, the people who make the journey lighter, or simply becoming more comfortable with the person you’re growing into.

So, this is my little collection of things I’m learning to appreciate lately. Some are ambitious and some are simply just me.

Here’s to finding joy in the in-between, celebrating our own version of progress, and realising that maybe the life we’re building is already kinda chic.

Comment what’s been feeling “kinda chic” in your life lately? by @thisnobeart

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2 months ago

People assume that because I curate for a living, I must have an impressive collection at home. I don’t.

What I do have is an artist network and an eye I have built over 13 years.
Illustrations, limited edition, small formats, numbered and signed prints are, in my opinion, the most underrated way to start collecting art.

do you need help finding your first print?
comment “print” and let’s start talking!

prints | illustrations | limited edition | small formats | art collecting | black art | this no be art | curating | art consulting | accra | ghana taken in Accra, Ghana by @thisnobeart

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16 days ago