Emmanuel Asamoah, also known as Kstony, is a contemporary ceramic artist born in Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa. He carries a profound respect for his heritage and the legacy of his grandmother. Kstony's familiarity with clay and its significance as a daily resource in his community inspired him to expand its use and pursue a formal education in ceramics. He earned a B.A. in Industrial Art (Ceramics option) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Currently, Kstony is a Third-year MFA candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, School of Art.
Kstony received the NCECA Multicultural Award in 2024, and his works have been showcased in multiple exhibitions in both Ghana and the United States. Notable exhibitions include the upcoming 2025 NCECA Student Juried Show in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2024 ‘ AKOKOA ‘ Solo Exhibition at Medici Gallery, UNL, 2024 ‘Art by the Foot’ Center for the Visual Art in Wausau, WI, 2024 – 2nd Ceramic Student Show at Concho Clay Studio and San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, Texas , 2024 UARK & UNL exhibition at the University of Arkansas, the 2023 Making History Exhibition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the 2023 Circa Symposium exhibition at the University of Colorado.
His artistic journey is rooted in the desire to honor the materials, heritage, and community members of Ghana. As a first-generation African immigrant in the United States, Kstony's work actively shares and celebrates the pride of his life, home, and culture through his art practice.
My work explores history, identity, and materiality through mixed media and ceramics. Drawing from my cultural heritage and personal experiences, I create sculptures and installations that examine cultural narratives, memory, and transformation. I combine traditional hand-building techniques with unconventional materials to challenge boundaries and tell stories through texture, layering, and contrast. Growing up in Bekwai, Ghana, I was inspired by my grandmother, who used to create functional pots. This early exposure to clay shaped my artistic practice and sparked my passion for ceramics. My work reflects the struggles of daily life influenced by socioeconomic and cultural systems, and I see art as a powerful tool for change. It allows me to express emotions, highlight humanity, and bring attention to underrepresented voices.