Born and raised in Ghana, Mark Buku, hails from the womb of Africa, where tribes and religions are not used to distinguish one from another. A place where the Way, as explained by Ayei Kwei Armah, is not such a distant memory, but rather a worthy cause for which we all struggle to recreate. Brilliant in his thinking and creative in his works, it is no wonder that he has amassed such great respect and acclaim as an artist and an individual.

In Africa, we are bombarded with the cries of Africans pleading, on the lowest levels, for a chance to leave her borders, and on the highest levels, for support from "donor" countries, to feed our own children.  One would think we have lost all sight of our many resources, the minerals that fuel the world's economy, the raw materials that produce the world's good, and the people that make it all happen.  Well, we are relieved to meet and be able to share the story of one brother who is upholding Africa's integrity through his own expressive means, and doing so quite successfully. 

Mark zeroed in on his craft as a child, but received constant pressure to keep it as a hobby and focus his energies on the sciences, a more respectable field for someone of his apparent intelligence.  As a young man, he was accepted into Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he began his pursuit of a career in Science.  Reverent to the wishes of his parents, yet driven by his own mind, Mark soon changed his major and graduated with a Bachlors of Art Honors degree in 1994 and a MFA degree in 1997.  Three years later, in March of 2000, he was nominated to do a month long residency in Vermont Studio Center, in the United States.  A young artist, with a clear vision and a wealth of natural inspiration, he was now able to intermingle with artist from all over the world, observing other creative processes and gaining a global overview or art.  This served to strengthen his foundation and encouraged him to delve deeper, still, into the crevices from which he gets his greatest inspiration.  During his first visit he was able to establish himself amongst the top echelon of artists and was soon re-invited to America, where he once again solidified his place amongst the world of artists and exposed the rich tradition and culture of Africa through his drawings.

Notably, as an African, he expected a greater reception from Africans born in the Diaspora, instead he was met  with indifference and hostility, no different than we, Africans, born in the Diaspora are met with upon our return home.  Nevertheless, he was undaunted and remained focused, not getting carried away with the glitz and glamour of the day, but accomplishing established goals so he could return home to where he left his heart and family.  Unlike many "Africans", Mark is culturally and socially attached to the milieu that makes Africa, and even more interestingly, he has  created for himself, a viable market in Ghana so that he does not have to sacrifice his soul in exchange of wealth.  He puts it in these words, "My umbilical cord is well attached to the the Motherland.  If even I severe it, I do so with its associate pains.  However, my mind, which is the most powerful part of my body, it is independent, refusing to conform to the rather myopic thoughts and selfish ways of some of her people."  With a mind like that, it is no wonder how Mark is able to propel himself to through all the obstacles that exist and establish himself, not only as a renowned artist, but also as the proud owner of his own gallery, Galleria Africana, located in the heart of Accra and receiving the patronage of many of Ghana's serious art collectors.

Mark associates many values with that of artistic training. He argues that "...art is everything.  A good education in art promotes excellence. Oration, understanding, creativity itself, resourcefulness, spirituality, and clarity are all exponents of art and its education.  Therefore, art must be funded and encouraged by the governments of Africa, because the benefits are far reaching and can not be quantified.  This is one way how Africa can get out of her doldrum."  Through his own work he makes a quiet, slow change,  by using his creations to expose negative practices, thoughts and habits and more importantly, revealing new ways of doing things.