Culture: Nana Oforiatta Ayim

Nana Oforiatta Ayim is a cultural historian, writer and filmmaker based in Accra and London. She is currently working on a research publication and exhibition for the EU/AU on cultural heritage and contemporary arts institutions in Africa with architect David Adjaye (2011, Bozar, Brussels) and a book on Ghanaian photographer James Barnor (2010, Trolley Books, London). Her writing has appeared in publications such as The National Geographic, The Statesman, The Dubliner and Time Out. She has lectured and presented her scholarship at Universities, including Cambridge, Kumasi, London and Oxford. She has curated exhibitions and events for institutions such as The British Council, The British Museum, The Liverpool Biennial, The Royal Festival Hall and The Victoria and Albert Museum. In her fiction and short films she deals with the themes of translation and the gaps within language. Her first fiction book 'The Tightrope Walker' will be published in May 2010. Her films have been nominated for awards at various festivals, such as The Milan African Film Festival, The RAI Ethnographic Film Festival and The Real Life Documentary Film Festival. They have also been shown at venues such as The Museum of African Diaspora and used in university curricula. She is a founding director of ANO, a non-profit organization dedicated to the interface of culture and development in Africa and its Diaspora. She has an MA in African Art History and is completing a PhD in African Languages and Cultures at the University of London. [Credit: http://www.thisismyafrica.com/]

Art: Reiner Opoku

As an international curator and contemporary art dealer, Reiner Opoku has been a leading figure on the global art market since 1983. He has managed some of this era’s premiere avant-garde artists such as Georg Dokopil and Martin Kippenberger and has worked on projects with Julian Schnabel and Sigmar Polke. Through his role as artist manager, he has successfully established a broad network of contacts which has bolstered his capacity as both curator and developer.

The projects to which he has contributed, include the establishment of the Asian sales network of Benedikt Taschen’s publishing house as well as the founding of KUNSTHAUS- Europe's first art department store. KUNSTHAUS of which he is co-owner, offers high quality art including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and photographs of numerous artists.

As curator, Reiner Opoku has delivered numerous exhibitions of principal artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Josef Beuys as far a field as Tokyo, Prague, Vienna, Berlin and Hamburg. He was recently the curator of the prestigious St. Moritz Art Masters (SAM). The St. Moritz Arts Masters gave visitors a taste of the varied mediums of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, video and audio installations. Works from more than 250 international artists including Pablo Picasso, David Duncan Douglas, David LaChapelle, Carl Andre, Leiko Ikemura, Helmut Newton, Yves Klein, Joseph Beuys were just a few of the artists showcased.

Opoku’s reputation, acquaintances and extensive industry knowledge combine give Wolfgang Roth & Partners, Fine Art a platform for confident dealing and a clear view of the marketplace. [Credit:http://www.wrpfineart.com/html/information.asp]

**I’m so happy to share uber curator, Reiner Opoku with you. I heard about him -a while back and thought he was [and continues to be] a great asset to the Ghanaian community. I don’t know if he has worked in Ghana [or is planning to] but wouldn’t it be fabulous to see him working with Ghanaian artists?