WATA
KOKROBITEY INSTITUTE
Kokrobitey Institute is a hub of creative activity; informed by the sustainable, environmentally friendly, practices of traditional Ghanaian cultures. We provide a forum for researchers, artists, environmentalists, designers and others committed to education, sustainability, resourceful design and social entrepreneurship. Our goal is to support systems of development that respect our environment and those who inhabit it.
“Mmere Dane”
“time changes”
“Sankofa” “Adinkrahene” “Asaase Ye Duru”
“revisiting the past”
“leadership”
“Earth has providence”
Ghanaian Adinkra symbols / visual proverbs*
WATA
The collaboration between Jocelyn and Morris is a cross-cultural confluence. Two visual artists; a photographer and an illustrator with different processes join forces to create and explore themes as they relate to water and sustainabilty. The discussions and interviews resulted in the production of this book. We hope that this collaboration drives people to value the earth’s natural resources.
www.jocelynsalim.com
morrisfrimpong.com
JOCELYN SALIM
Jocelyn A. Salim is an illustrator and designer born in Indonesia but calls Singapore home. She graduated with a degree in Illustration and Nature-Culture-Sustainability-Studies from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2023. She is the recipient of the 2019 Design Singapore Scholarship. Jocelyn cares a lot about the planet and hopes to create meaningful and powerful images that will educate and inspire young minds. She is interested in children’s book illustration, book cover design, editorial art, and game/toy design, among other fun things. When she is not working in the studio, she enjoys cooking and crocheting.
MORRIS FRIMPONG
Morris Frimpong-Manso was born in Kibi, Eastern, Ghana. He was raised in Koforidua by his grandmother before schooling in Accra. In 2017, He graduated from Commonwealth College and continued to New York Institute of Photography to study professional photography.
Morris is an artist who has gained several years of experience in film, photography, design, and music and also contributed to a number of different industry publications like GlitzAfrica and others. He is currently a freelance artist-in-residence at the Kokrobitey Institute.
A fishing village in Accra and home to many locals and tourists in Ghana. Our collaboration began here and the street above leads to the Kokrobitey Institute campus.
This is Kokrobite!
Water is a life-giving resource. Water bodies have been used for recreational purposes.
Mami Wata is a well-known and revered water deity in African mythology. She is believed to live deep in the sea. She is a protector of the ocean and is believed to have spiritual and healing powers.
Exploring batik with different mediums to communicate the theme of water as inspiration for art, Jocelyn designed an applique.
Water scarcity is a growing problem for billions of people worldwide. After interviewing with some locals in the Kokrobite village, we found that a majority of people collect and store water in recycled oil gallons.
WATA IS
IS LIFE
I provided photos and Jocelyn used her illustration skills to reimagine these images.
Drinking water from a recycled glass bottle.
adinkrahene
Knowing Jocelyn’s interest in Ghanaian traditions, I introduced her to the Adinkra symbols. They are visual proverbs valued in West Africa.
Adinkrahene translates to ‘King of the Adinkras’ and this design inspired the creation of all other Adinkra. Although the symbol has a simple design, it represents authority, power and charisma, essential characteristics of good leaders.
sankofa
Sankofa is a word in the Twi language meaning “to retrieve” (literally “go back and get”; san - to return; ko - to go; fa - to fetch)
Photograph
Photograph + Illustration
Photograph
Photograph + Illustration
We should honor the ways of our forefathers and remember we are a part of an interconnected ecosystem.
“two heads are always better than one”
WATA
www.kokrobiteyinstitute.org