Bernard Kyei Baffour/ The Sea of Emotions

Bernard Kyei Baffour, professionally known as Ben Kay, is a Ghanaian-born interdisciplinary artist whose work traverses artistic photography, moving image, and conceptual filmmaking. Based in the UK, Ben’s practice is rooted in Afrocentric storytelling, weaving together symbolically rich narratives that interrogate identity, resilience, historical trauma, and the ongoing impact of colonial structures on African life and culture. Ben’s creative path began in 2011 at Kumasi Academy, where early exposure to visual arts sparked his deep interest in narrative imagery. Raised in Kumasi after being born in Accra, he developed a sharp visual sensibility shaped by his surroundings, history, and the stories passed down through generations. This early foundation evolved into a committed practice rooted in visual symbolism and critical engagement with African experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Technology and Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design from Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ghana, where he played leadership roles across creative and student platforms, and was honoured with a major award recognizing his contributions to visual storytelling. In 2022, he earned a partial International Talent Scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts in Film and Television at Falmouth University in the UK, completing the program in 2023. In 2025, Ben founded BENKAY VISUALS LTD, a UK-based creative production company specializing in artistic photography, video production, and creative direction. The company reflects its interdisciplinary approach and its commitment to amplifying African narratives within global visual culture. Through this platform, he continues to develop a visual language that is at once personal, poetic, and politically resonant. Ben’s works have been exhibited internationally, including in the UK, the US, and Europe. Recent exhibitions include “Future Stars Digital – 6th Edition” and “Art on Loop” with The Holy Art in London, Athens, and Los Angeles; “Portraits” at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography; and “Spring Open” at The Poly in Falmouth. His participation in the FORMAT25 Photography Festival in Derby and COAST by The Photocopy Club at Grays Wharf in Penryn further underscores his growing footprint on the international art scene. Key works such as “Silent Breath”, “Equilibrium”, and “Bound by Labor” have garnered critical attention for their emotional depth and symbolic commentary on postcolonial realities, global health inequality, labour exploitation, and the psychological cost of survival under oppressive systems. His style blends conceptual rigor with visual poetry, often using metaphor and environment to elevate the Black experience beyond surface representation. A co-founder of Snaphactory Media House in Ghana, Ben formerly led the videography department there until 2022. He is also the founder of Ghab Photographic Equip Hub, an initiative aimed at empowering Ghanaian creatives through greater access to photographic equipment and technical resources. Although proficient in digital post-production tools such as Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere Pro, Ben considers these skills to elevate his artistic vision, not define it. His focus remains on the narrative power of images, how they can challenge dominant perspectives, stir collective memory, and serve as vessels for healing and resistance. Ben Kay’s work has been profiled by platforms including The Holy Art, Citi Newsroom, Pulse Ghana, and Bella Naija, all recognizing his role in shaping a bold, culturally rooted aesthetic that speaks to both African and diasporic experiences. He continues to build his international presence through exhibitions, interviews, and collaborative projects that centre the African story in global discourse, honouring both tradition and innovation in every frame.