Showing posts with label African Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African Art. Show all posts

13.3.25

Artist Spotlight: Winfred Nana Amoah shows us the spirit of Ghana and the beauty of its people

Winfred Nana Amoah who hails from Ghana is an artist who deeply cares about the environment, social issues and the country of his birth. He explores the dynamic relationships of his people in an impeccably sourced way. His strong conviction about repurposing plastics transitions into his work as he utilizes various materials to show the depth of his philosophy. His images are strong but always joyful and he encompasses the spirit of Ghana in all of his work. His paintings are almost always vibrant with colour and a menagerie of images. He has great sympathy for his subject matter and it shows vividly. His approach to life is centered on his personal beliefs rooted in the land, in mental health and his everyday surroundings. His authenticity is unmistakable. He paints what he feels is reflective of his philosophy. I want to thank him for his honest and beautiful interview. I wish him great success not just in Ghana but the rest of the world. I hope that one day I can visit his country to see exactly what inspires him and maybe view his work in person. Please enjoy.




1. Tell us a bit about your hometown of Ghana, what was your life like growing up?

I grew up in Hohoe, a beautiful town in the Volta Region of Ghana, surrounded by lush landscapes and a strong sense of community. Life growing up was a blend of tradition and modern influences. I was always surrounded by creativity, from the vibrant local markets filled with colorful textiles to the storytelling traditions that shaped my imagination. Farming is also a big part of life here, so I developed a deep respect for the land and sustainability from an early age.


2. What influenced you to become an artist? How much support for the arts is there in your hometown?

My artistic journey was influenced by my environment—especially the way everyday materials tell stories. Seeing waste materials discarded carelessly made me think about how they could be repurposed into something meaningful. Also, mental health is something I deeply care about, and art became a way for me to explore and express those themes.

In my hometown, art is often viewed more as a craft than a profession, so support for contemporary artists can be limited. However, there is a growing appreciation for creativity, especially as more young artists push boundaries and merge traditional and modern styles.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from everyday life, mental health, and sustainability. My work is influenced by human emotions, conversations, and the impact of waste on the environment. I want my art to make people reflect—whether it’s about their inner struggles or the world around them.

4. You use a variety of materials in your work. How did that come about?

It started with my interest in sustainability and my belief that art should not be confined to traditional materials. I began experimenting with textiles, plastics, news articles, and acrylic on canvas—each material adding a different layer of meaning to my work. For example, plastics symbolize waste and consumerism, while news articles capture moments in time and societal issues. This combination allows me to tell deeper, more textured stories.


5. Where do you hope to show your work in the future?

I hope to showcase my work both locally and internationally. I would love to exhibit in galleries that focus on sustainability and contemporary African art, as well as corporate spaces like banks and eco-conscious organizations that align with my themes.


6. If you weren’t an artist, who would you be?

I would probably be a full-time environmental advocate or work closely with farmers on sustainable practices. My love for nature and my concern for the planet are deeply tied to my artistic practice, so I imagine I would still be involved in something that allows me to make an impact.




7. What do you do when you’re not working?

When I’m not creating, I’m usually engaged in climate volunteerism—educating farmers on sustainable practices and repurposing plastics in my community. I also enjoy exploring nature, reading about different art movements, and connecting with other creatives.


8. What do you want people to know about you as an artist?

I want people to know that my art is more than just visual expression—it’s a conversation starter about mental health, sustainability, and the stories we leave behind. Every material I use carries meaning, and my goal is to make people think, feel, and reflect on their surroundings.


9. What do you wish people knew about your homeland of Ghana?

Ghana is a country of resilience, creativity, and warmth. Beyond the headlines, we have a rich culture, a deep connection to storytelling, and a growing art scene that deserves global recognition. Also, sustainability is something deeply rooted in our traditional ways of life, and I hope more people see Ghana as a place of innovation and artistic potential.




17.10.23

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2023 was well worth the wait

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair was a delectable fair featuring artists from all over Africa, and its diaspora. Here I have selected several favourites to show the wide diversity of art coming out of this continent. It is not only beautiful but meaningful in its inherent dialogue. Take Chiderah Bosah, who is a largely self-taught artist. Here he renders a couple in a warm embrace with a subdued softness in expression. They are bound together like he is to his art full of delicate emotions. Àsìkò is another Nigerian artist who uses photography and collage to create a narrative of his Yoruba culture. The Yoruba people belong to the South Western part of Nigeria. Here the figure is divinely set against a backdrop of a full moon. Her beauty is on full display and her body shows the markings of a deity. Wendimagegn Belete is an Ethiopian artist who uses mixed media to create a rendering of his African heritage. Identity politics is in full bloom and his subjects are carefully shaped by a symbolic language he wishes us to engage with. Yonatan Wondwosen is anothere Ethiopian artist whose Blue Gate is a beautiful abstract work balanced carefully by the colours he chooses. Nothing can be identified and it is up to us to figure out its meaning. It is enchanting nonetheless. Tatenda Chidora is Zimbabwean photographer who chooses his painted subjects to show their connection to their environment and hence Africa. In, A lot has been happening, we see a black figure with hands and feet painted the colour red. The body is luminous and darker than the soil that the model is lying on. We don't know exactly why but she is turned away from us making her withdrawn character is an enigmatic part of the piece. The soil representative of Africa is laced with meaning and the history of the continent. It is a strong juxtaposition and we can only guess at what has transpired to create it.

1 Chiderah Bosah, I am because you are II, 2023, Nigerian



2 Godwin Champs Namuyimba, Untitled, 2023, Ugandan


3 Souad Abdelrassoul, Hezel Eyes I, 2022, Egyptian


4 Lulama Wolf, The Outpour I, 2023, South African


5 Amani Bodo, La Memoire des Siecles, 2023, Congolese


Àsìkò, Adorned by the Heavens, 2020, Nigerian



7 Kingsley Ayogu, Malcolm X Hope of Renewal, 2023, Nigerian


8 Wendimagegn Belete, Between Matter and Memory 11, 2023, Ethiopian



9 Alice Marcelino, Kindumba, 2015, Portuguese Angolan



10 Roland Dorcely, Untitled ca. 1958, Haitian


11 Joanna Choumali, The world unravels before you, 2023, Ivorian


12 Madou Dieng Yacine, Sarah and James, 2023, Senegalese


13 Mmangaliso Nzuza, Almost Still, 2023, South African 



14 Babajide Olatunji, Girl with blue scarf III, 2023, Nigerian


15 Yonatan Wondwosen, Blue Gate, 2023, Ethiopian


16 Hako Hankson, Toumai and Lucy, 2023, Cameroonian


17 Antoine Carbonne, Marine, 2005, French



18 Teresa Roza d'Oliveira, Untitled, 2005, Mozambican


19 Kyle Weeks, Eugenia, 2022, Namibian


20 Tiemar Tegene, Untitled III, 2023, Ethiopian


21 Tatenda Chidora, A lot has been happening, 2023, Zimbabwean


22 Stacey Gillian Abe, Whisphers of Sorghum, 2023, Ugandan


23 Nabil El Makhloufi, Chercheurs, 2023, German



24 Houda Terjuman, Diving into intricate waters, 2022, Moroccan


25 Samuel Fosso, Le Marin, 1997, Cameroonian



22.6.23

1 54 Contemporary African Art Fair

I love the artwork that is coming out of Africa and its diaspora. And this edition of 1 54 Contemporary Art Fair is no exception. Featuring the likes of Lulama Wolf, Aplerh Doku Borlabi and Jared McGriff, the fair shows that diversity is at the heart of its existence. Meeting of the Wildflowers shows the cerebral ingenuity of its subject matter. Poised and elegant it speaks wonders to the gentlemen rendered. Mmangaliso Nzuza's The Possibility of Change, displays the choices we are presented with, one each swelling with opportunity. This figurative work shows a woman with a door not knowing what's behind it. Slightly abstracted it ponders her fate.

1 Aplerh Doku Borlabi, Okuntakinte, 2022

2 Jared McGriff, Meeting of the Wildflowers, 2023,

 

3 Lulama Wolf, Nomalizo, 2023, South African


4 Dawit Abebe, Hands Matter No.10, 2023, Ethiopian


5 Malick Welli, Untitled, 2017, Senegalese



6 Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, Portraits, 2023, Nigerian


7 Mmangaliso Nzuza, The Possibility of Change, 2023, South African



8 Salifou Lindou, Trois potes dans le bruit, 2022



9 Saidou Dicko, Untitled 2023, Burkina Faso


10 Dindga McCannon, Pat is Pregnant, 1977


11 Tigist Yoseph Ron, Before Shabat, 2023, Ethiopian


                                             12 Option Nyahunzvi, Deja vu, 2022


13 Ngimbi Luve Bakambana, Nanga Boko 2, 2019, Congolese


14 Ronald Hall, Madams of the Black Ether, 2023


15 Mous Lamrabat, Brozart, 2019, Belgian




Amadou Sanogo, La corde a sauter, 2021, Malian