Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah (1976) was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone and is known for his intricate and innovative designs, and his ability to successfully blend the “fancy” and “fierce” aesthetic common to Sierra Leone masquerade arts. Based in the Fourah Bay community, he is the resident kotu (builder/artist) of Gladiators Power Ordehlay Society (co-founded by his father), and contributes to other societies, such as Tourist Ojeh and Omo Jessah Hunting Society.

Fofanah’s work spans various masquerade genres, including Jollay, Ordehlay, and Hunting, and his designs are sought after in Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and internationally in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, illustrating how masquerades serve not only as performative art forms but also as symbols of identity and connectivity in a rapidly changing world. Fofanah’s designs are part of prestigious collections, including the Sierra Leone National Museum. His work has been displayed for national celebrations, such as the British Museum’s commission for Sierra Leone’s golden independence anniversary.