To understand the process of creative genius, it is valid for business people to look at the model of the artist. The business of the artist is to create, navigate opportunity, explore possibility, and master creative breakthroughs. We need to restore art, the creation of opportunity, to business.
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked him as the greatest rapper of all time. Jay-Z is a billionaire entrepreneur and the wealthiest musical artist in history, with an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion. His major business ventures include Roc Nation, Armand de Brignac, and D’Ussé.
The worlds of the arts and business are formulating a new relationship, distinct from the traditional models of entertainment or sponsorship. In this new relationship, art is a role model for business, since all great art pushes boundaries beyond the established norms. The artist’s task is to break through the limitations of previously codified knowledge, to lead humanity to the future.
Businesses today want to break away from their limitations, aim higher, and be a creative force for the greater good of the world. We need the transformative experiences the arts give us to thrive in a world of change. In ancient cultures, the mystery schools put students through initiations to overcome fear, learn something about their true nature, and gain self-actualization (self-mastery). The arts give us a taste of the mystery and help make sense of the world.
The arts take us on adventures in creative expression that help us explore safely unknown territory, overcome fear, and take risks. We can transfer these learning experiences to the workplace. Art – making has an alchemical effect on the imagination. Art takes people out of the realm of analytical thinking and into the realm of silence, reverie, and heightened awareness. A shared art experience enhances our sense of belonging and enriches conversation.
John Seely Brown, Chief Scientist of Xerox Corporation revealed the three ways he perceives the impact of an art experience. One is the notion that engaging in these types of activities evoke deeper responses, deeper emotions. It brings forth many of the tacitly held beliefs and assumptions that you have. So, we must think of it as evocative of the tacit knowledge.
The second is that focused conversations are built and fused together around evocative objects that concern problems that the researcher has on his or her mind. He stated that it was the researcher that had the real problem, but the interaction with the artist made a big difference. Now that is a complex interplay, because it takes over like a conversation that unfolds over many months.
The third concerns the power of simplicity. Simplicity prior to complexity does not mean much. But simplicity, after you pass through the wall of complexity, after you have marinated in a fully nuanced reading of the situation and then rendering it in very simple ways is extraordinarily powerful.
Artists and business leaders have many parallels, both involve having a guiding vision, a potent point of view, formulating an ideal, navigating chaos and the unknown, and finally producing a new creation. They must be astute in assessing and developing talent, as well as making sure that the talent works well together. Executives, however, could learn from artists’ ability to dare to break molds, lead changes in taste, raise funds, and be productive while being frugal.
If the biggest challenges we face today concern global competition, managing change, and employee disengagement to name a few, what can leaders do to inspire teams to achieve higher levels of performance? How can leaders tap into the hearts and minds of employees, to find the “burning platform” that mobilizes strategy into action? Innovation by its nature, demands change.
In The Heart of Change, John Kotter states: “People change what they do less because they are given analysis that shifts their thinking than because they are shown a truth that influences their feelings.” He emphasizes that the central challenge is changing people’s behaviour and the way to change behaviour is to influence their feelings.
The heart of change is in the emotions. Through art we can make it safe to ask the deeper questions that lead to the emotional truth about a situation. Art creates a bonding experience that facilitates collaboration and accelerates the ability to get to the heart of a problem. Drawing or painting images illustrates how differently we see things and helps us appreciate that many points of view contribute to the whole. Images externalize the unconscious and make tacit knowledge visible.
Basically, there are four options widely used regarding Arts-in-Business. The first is when business uses the arts for decoration and the second is business using the arts for entertainment, either by giving the employees benefits such as tickets for selected shows, performances and arts exhibitions in their leisure time, or they invite artists into the company for performances at annual meetings, customer events or special occasions.
The third option is business applying the arts as instruments for team building, communication training, leadership development, problem solving and innovation processes. The last is when business integrates the arts in a strategic process of transformation, involving personal development and leadership, culture and identity, creativity and innovation, as well as customer relations and marketing.
A Conversation With Creative Director Amanda Afrifah – Yamoah
Is it not amazing the increasing pace at which African prints are being embraced in modern wardrobes? This is largely due to the fact that African prints are more than just fabric; they tell stories, reflect identity, and have evolved over centuries to become a global fashion phenomenon. From traditional handwoven cloth to contemporary designs gracing runways worldwide, the journey of African prints is as vibrant as the patterns themselves.
Over the weekend, i had an enlightening conversation with Ms. Amanda Afrifah-Yamoah, a textile enthusiast, culture advocate, print connoisseur, a champion of heritage and co-founder of Demand Couture, a wholly Ghanaian brand that specializes in ready-to-wear clothes for men,women and kids. The dedicated team at Demand Couture have a basic task of producing clients with awesome outfits for all kinds of occasions at unbeatable prices.
Passionate about African fabric, Amada brilliantly highlighted the origins and traditional significance of African print, and further chronicled how the influence of trade and technology has aided the emergence of African prints in contemporary fashion, from the boardrooms to global runways. She is convinced fashion is more than what you wear, rather it is a way of expressing who you are. At Demand Couture, they are committed to helping every customer look and feel their best.
African print fabric, also known as Ankara or wax print fabric, has a rich history and cultural significance that dates back centuries. The vibrant and colorful patterns found in African print fabrics are not just for aesthetic purposes; they often carry deep meanings and symbolism that reflect the heritage, traditions, and beliefs of various African communities. Amongst Ghanaians for example, kente fabrics are traditionally used to communicate status, identity, and cultural values.
The 19th and 20th centuries brought significant changes with the trans-Atlantic trade and the introduction of new dyes and textiles, African prints began to evolve. The Dutch wax prints, originally inspired by Indonesian batik, became immensely popular across West Africa. Locally, artisans adapted the designs to reflect African symbols, narratives, and color palettes, making them uniquely African despite foreign origins. This era marked the fusion of traditional symbolism with modern techniques, creating fabrics that were accessible to a wider audience while maintaining cultural significance.
Today, African prints are celebrated globally. Following in the steps of celebrated designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Ozwald Boateng, and Stella Jean, we are incorporating African fabrics into high fashion, blending tradition with contemporary styles. African prints are no longer confined to cultural garments; they appear in streetwear, haute couture, and even international red carpet events. Modern prints often combine traditional motifs with bold, innovative colors and digital printing techniques, allowing for mass production while preserving artistic integrity. Amanda reemphasized that African-inspired designs have become a global phenomenon, celebrated for their uniqueness, diversity, and inclusivity, from the runways of Paris to the Wall Street in New York City.
She further discussed the elements that have contributed to why African fashion resonates so deeply with several people globally.
Traditional Patterns:
African print fabrics feature a wide range of traditional patterns that are unique to different regions and cultures across the continent. These patterns are often inspired by nature, animals, geometric shapes, and folklore, and each design holds its own significance.
Symbolism:
Many African print patterns are symbolic and carry specific meanings. For example, some patterns represent fertility, prosperity, protection, or unity within a community. The colors used in these fabrics also have symbolic meanings, with red often representing love, black symbolizing strength and power, and green signifying growth and renewal.
Cultural Identity:
African print clothing plays a crucial role in expressing cultural identity and heritage. It is a way for individuals to connect with their roots, showcase their heritage, and celebrate their traditions through the clothes they wear.
Social Status:
In some African societies, the type of fabric and the design of the clothing worn can indicate a person’s social status, wealth, or rank within the community. Certain patterns and fabrics are reserved for special occasions, ceremonies, or important events.
Handcrafted Artistry:
African print fabrics are often handcrafted using traditional methods such as batik or wax resist dyeing techniques. These intricate processes require skilled artisans to create the intricate patterns and designs that make African print clothing so unique and beautiful.
Global Influence:
African print clothing has gained international popularity and recognition in the global fashion industry. Designers from around the world have been inspired by African prints and incorporate them into their collections, bringing African fashion to a wider audience and showcasing the beauty and diversity of African culture.
Revival of Traditional Techniques:
The popularity of African print clothing has also led to a revival of traditional textile techniques and craftsmanship. Artisans and designers are rediscovering and preserving ancient dyeing and printing methods, ensuring that these traditional skills are passed down to future generations.
Cultural Exchange:
African print clothing has become a symbol of cultural exchange and diversity, with people from different backgrounds and cultures embracing and wearing African prints as a way to celebrate and appreciate African heritage and craftsmanship.
Economic Empowerment:
The production and sale of African print fabrics and clothing provide economic opportunities for local communities and artisans across the African continent.