Nicholas Opoku
the artist
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Ghana
Nicholas Opoku is a mathematician from Ghana focused on quantitative modeling of tumor-immune interactions using ODE frameworks, stochastic dynamics, and agent-based computational systems.
the artwork
Yareɛ ɛkita ho deɛ wɔ Onipadua Banbɔ Mu
Twi- The Tumor Witch in the Immune Village - 2025 - digital
1 days - 5 hours - 16 minutes
audio commentary
I am passionate about the science in my artwork because it tells the story of the fierce battle existing inside our bodies. The tumor is portrayed as a witch who sneaks in at night, trying to invade a peaceful village. But the village elders, portrayed as the immune cells, stand guard, ready to defend their home. My work shows this struggle between harm and protection, highlighting the strength and resilience of the body’s natural defenses against diseases.
Nicholas Opoku
mathematics in Ghanaian culture
In Ghana, the traditional Kente weaving reflects deep mathematical thinking, patterns are based on binary-like systems and precise geometric repetition. Each design encodes cultural meaning through symmetry, sequencing, and ratios, much like algorithms in computer science. This connection shows how our heritage holds embedded forms of computation and logic.