African gallerist, cultural visionary, and environmental advocate Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe, founder of ENA Gallery, delivered one of the most compelling artistic contributions at the 2025 GUBA (Grow Unite Build Africa) Awards in Barbados, an event already marked as one of the most historically symbolic gatherings of the Pan-African world in recent years. This year’s GUBA Awards commemorated a profound milestone: the arrival of the first-ever chartered flight carrying free Africans directly from Ghana to Barbados, a powerful reconnection across the Atlantic that celebrated shared ancestry, unity, and the rekindling of long-standing cultural bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.
Against this deeply meaningful backdrop, Selorm and his collective of ENA Gallery artists presented a series of artworks that captured the essence of this reunion and drew widespread acclaim from government leaders, academics, cultural authorities, and members of the global African diaspora. One of the most notable presentations was a striking mixed-media portrait of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, crafted by Ghanaian recycled-arts specialist Eric Kwadwo Afranie. Using discarded plastics, metal fragments, fabric remnants, and refined waste, Afranie transformed what would have contributed to Ghana’s pollution crisis into a regal, majestic representation of the revered traditional leader. The piece was formally presented at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, during the inauguration of the new Hilary McDonald Beckles Administration Block, an event attended by distinguished regional and international guests.
The significance of this presentation was deepened by a symbolic historical connection: in 2008, during an earlier visit to UWI Cave Hill, the Asantehene planted a baobab tree on the campus grounds. The baobab, known throughout Africa as “the Tree of Life,” is a symbol of resilience, nourishment, longevity, and spiritual grounding. Its ability to endure harsh climates and sustain communities made it an emblem of strength and continuity across generations. Revisiting the campus with an artwork made from recycled materials—objects given new life—served as a poetic reminder of the Asantehene’s enduring message of growth, unity, and legacy. The new art presentation, juxtaposed with the now-maturing baobab, underscored the symbolic continuity of African resilience and the ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
ENA Gallery’s artistic presence at the GUBA Awards expanded further with the exhibition of two celebrated textile portraits honouring Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and global superstar Rihanna, both crafted by master thread and kente artist Michael Appiah Yeboah, widely known as Mr. MAY. His intricate handwoven designs blended traditional Ghanaian weaving culture with Barbadian pride, creating visually compelling homages to two iconic Barbadian women whose leadership and influence have reverberated worldwide. Mr. MAY’s portraits were widely praised for their cultural sensitivity, technical mastery, and powerful storytelling through fabric.
Adding to the collective’s impact, Selorm also showcased two unique fabric collage artworks of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Bob Marley, created by Ghanaian textile innovator Kweku Davinci, another leading member of the ENA Gallery family. Davinci, renowned for his ability to transform traditional African textiles into vibrant, emotionally stirring compositions, captured the spirits of two of the most influential figures in Black liberation, global unity, and cultural revolution. His portrait of Nkrumah honoured Ghana’s first president and the architect of African independence, while his depiction of Marley paid tribute to the Jamaican legend whose music and activism became the heartbeat of global resistance and Pan-African consciousness. These fabric collages enriched the visual narrative of the GUBA 2025 celebrations, bridging Ghana and Barbados through art that honoured shared heroes and interconnected histories.
Together, these presentations reinforced ENA Gallery’s growing reputation as a hub of African artistic excellence, environmental consciousness, and cultural diplomacy. Founded by Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe, the gallery is home to a family of multidisciplinary Ghanaian artists—including Afranie, Mr. MAY, and Davinci—who each bring unique skills and perspectives while contributing to a shared mission: elevating African creativity while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges. Under Selorm’s leadership, ENA Gallery has championed the transformation of waste into meaningful works of art, created youth employment through recycling-based art production, led large-scale community clean-up initiatives, and promoted sustainable artistic practices across Ghana.
Selorm’s work at the GUBA Awards served as both a celebration and a call to action. It highlighted the power of art to educate, connect, and inspire—demonstrating how creative expression can foster unity across continents while addressing environmental degradation. His participation underscored the renewed bond between Ghana and Barbados, especially in light of the symbolic first charter flight linking the two nations. As audiences experienced the artworks—woven from kente, crafted from discarded materials, shaped from African textiles—they were reminded of the enduring strength, resilience, and shared aspirations of people of African descent worldwide.
As the world moves toward a future rooted in sustainability, cultural pride, and global cooperation, Selorm Hilary Kojo Fiadjoe and the artists of ENA Gallery stand at the forefront of this transformative movement. Through every portrait, installation, and recycled artwork, they continue to demonstrate that art is more than expression—it is a bridge, a message, and a catalyst for unity and healing across the world.