Let Art Shine, Ghana by Judith Addo
The Art World thrives within every culture across the Globe. Found in things such as music, dance, clothes, food, architecture and stories. Art is centre stage in our daily life on eARTh. Besides being Globally recognized for gold, coffee, cocoa, our amazing weather and people.
Ghana is undoubtedly blessed with a wealth of resources, of which art is a key part. We’re becoming hard to ignore in the art space globally. Our art is expressed not only through our culture-rich ethnic identities but also through our daily lives, history, interactions and interpretations.
Within the last decade (more or less) through the contributions of some Ghanaians in the art space, we have carved an identity which we’re proudly being recognized on the global scene. Art Review recently published its, ‘Power 100 The Most Influential People In The Art World In 2022’.
Ghana was promptly represented through the acknowledged influences of Ibrahim Mahama, Sir David Adjaye, and blaxTARLINES in their contributions to art. Ranking 98th on the list, blaxTARLINES is a decentralized platform, that nurtures and houses a community and network of artists, artist-curators and teachers in Ghana.
This collective was created in part as a response to a need for reformation in Ghana’s art spaces inspired by the work and practices of Professor Karî’kachä Seid’ou of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) Art Department. For close to a decade, it has provided and continues to provide, opportunities and platforms for talented artists to grow and showcase their work to the world, notable among them is Ibrahim Mahama, an alumnus of blaxTARLINES.
78th on the list is Sir David Adjaye a British -Ghanaian artist and an illustrious son of the African continent. His architectural exploits across the globe and in-depth approach to museum building haven’t gone unnoticed. Being only the 5th architect to be awarded Britain’s Order of Merit, Sir David Adjayes’ contributions to the art world through architecture have made him an influential figure in the world of art.
Ibrahim Mahama, ranked as the 47th most influential artist in 2022, according to Art Reviews’ Power 100 is Ghanaian-born and trained. His work influences discussions around topics such as decolonialism, renewal through failures and contemporary art spaces in the art world. His trio of institutions (SCCA, Red Clay and Nkrumah Volni) situated in his home region of Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana embodies his unique approach to art. His artist-run institutions open to all offers an opportunity for the public to freely interact with art.
Ibrahim is creating a space from which art can lead to discussions and actions that trigger development, inspires innovation and nurtures dreams for all who come into contact with his work. As a form of expression sometimes inexplicable, the power of art is amazing.
Art has been known to transcend all barriers known to man such as time, beliefs, distance, wealth, literacy and differences in opinions. In the world of art, Ghana has found yet another space to shine as the Black Star of Africa.
