When I first saw these pictures on social media, I thought they were photos. As soon as realised they were actually paintings, I understood why social media was going crazy over them!
The oil paintings by Lagos-born Nigerian artist Oresegun Olumide, is definitely making us all take note of Nigerian artists. Working as a professional artist since 2005, water features prominently in Oresegun’s work because “water has no enemy”. The African art scene is taking shape and reaching beyond the shores of the continent. African artist are having their say.
Oresegun Olumide artwork
Ad+s Diaspora:
Snippets of an African legacy; from a colourful perspective
Art classes were the bane of my existence at school. I wasn’t born to paint (which is fine 🙂 and I realized that early on in life (with the help of a mean art teacher!). I’ve always envied those who can tell stories or capture moment with a sculpture or drawing.
I don’t really think of art as synonymous with Africans, and put that down to being raised in Europe where we’re force fed European art. I guess it’s also my fault for not being proactive in searching for African artists too! Academically, art isn’t a subject that is high on the agenda for most African parents in the diaspora or on the continent for that matter. Rarely are African children encouraged to purse their artistic side or made to believe it’s as a viable career choice.
African art and Artists are quite neglected compared to their European or American counterparts. The Foundation for Contemporary Art-Ghana (FCA), is one of its kind in the country, with a mission “to create an active network of artists, offer a platform for the presentation of contemporary art, and to develop a critical forum for the promotion of contemporary art in Ghana.” The growing collection of ‘Africa/ Africa Diaspora’ section of the resource centre focuses on artists working in Africa and its diaspora. After devastating floods in Ghana’s capital Accra, the FCA is asking for donations to rebuild the foundations headquarters and restore books and other valuables that were destroyed.
The diaspora has showcased it talents in various forms, more recently in portrayal of African-American celebrities wearing African garb, by Dennis Owusu-Ansah which grabbed viral attention on social media.
Check out @densahcl on instagram. More like African print than PinkPrint: Nicki Minaj
Dennis was apparently inspired to do the drawings after his friend was ridiculed by people in the street for wearing the traditional Ghanaian kente cloth. Dennis wanted to erase some of the ignorance surrounding an aspect of African culture.
Internationally celebrated Ghanaian artist El Anatsui, who’s sculptures have taken prominent stages in New York and Sydney, is described as ‘reflecting devastation and colonisation’, in his work. Anatsui was winner of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2015 Venice Biennale.
This year, his work showcased in Sydney, is a celebration of 50 years of work. Comprising drawings, wall and floor installations, as well as woodcarvings incorporating West African adinkra symbols.
Renowned architect, David Adjaye’s structural designs can be found across continents. Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents; there’s no doubt his eclectic upbringing has contributed to his architectural prowess.
“By the time I was 14, I had lived in Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Nairobi, Cairo, Beirut, Accra and Jedda, and had quite a complex view of Africa.”
“Yes, the project has failed. It’s gated, it has security cameras everywhere and it has barbed wire. But that is because of the context we are in now. I hope that in 10 years or in five years this changes.”
The centre built in honour of the slain black teenager, Stephen Lawrence.
Anyone who knows African culture is acutely aware that funerals are a big deal! There is no difference in Ghana, where craftsmanship is expressed throughout Ghanaian life, from the beginning to the end, literally! Who said a coffin was just a box?! Novelty coffins are becoming more and more popular in Ghana.
Paa Joe is said to be one of Ghana’s most famous coffin makers; with his creations reaching the UK and USA.
Creativity never likes being restricted, life experiences and cultures are the basis of any art form, whether it be song, dance, words, paintings or structures. Artists want to be known as just that….Artists.
“I have a genetic relationship to the continent, also a cultural and lived relationship. I now have an office in Ghana and other places [but] I am less interested in the definition than I am in the way I can use it to produce in the world.” David Adjaye, Architect.
Ad+s Diaspora:
Snippets of an African legacy from a colourful perspective
So, it’s nearly the end of June and the beginning of summer, a ‘British summer’ that is so I am not getting my hopes up! Usually June is pretty quiet for me, and a reminder that half of the year has gone! This year June was more eventful though, with the highlight being ‘A Touch of Art’. I’ll be honest, I’m no art critic but always admired the craft, especially as I am hopeless at drawing, but better at painting lol. I’ve visited the most popular galleries in London, including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Wallace Collection. I’ve also visited some of the most famous ones in New York, the Guggenheim and MoMA. There were amazing portraits and sculptures, but what I remember most, when I visited in 2011 were these two posters:
The Purpose Copywriter 