Illustrator spotlight: Afua Somuah Bediako

Afua Somuah Bediako is a Black British, Ghanaian digital illustrator and writer from North London. Her art is all about spreading joy one illustration at a time and portraying black people, especially black women, in a soft and magical way, contrary to negative stereotypes. Drawing has always been a huge passion of hers, with her art style having a large emphasis on being colourful, magical, and light-hearted.

She sources my childhood, movies, and books she’s read and her heritage as her biggest inspirations. Growing up, she noticed a lack of black characters in the media she consumed, especially in the fantasy, comic book and sci-fi genres, which she particularly enjoyed. Thus, she strives to fill that gap through her illustrations as she understands how important and inspiring it is for people of colour, especially young people, to see themselves in the media they consume.

Find her on Instagram @afuasdrawingcorner or website: http://www.afuasdrawingcorner.com/