'Beyond Form' Painting Exhibition by Edward Ofosu (Runs until 27th April)

EDWARD OFOSU presents for the 1st time these new series of abstract figurative paintings, which came about through a sense of a deeper stillness revealing itself as the space in which our phenomenal experiences occur. The female figure, which has a strong attraction force, is use only as a means to give a state of this
place of stillness. Our eyes-only registers what is familiar in our experience, which comes from the past, and yet there are unlimited infinite possibilities of experiences, which can be seen as well. Using the paintbrush and colors, EDWARD OFOSU tries to bring forth these other realities which we can embrace and use as a vehicle to transcend our limited view of reality. These striking images makes it possible to look at something in a different perspective and he hopes life as we see it can be seen in a different light and we can all meet at the place of no place, from where all is perceived. Together we can experience inner-joy and spiritual ascension into the absolute reality.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Ghana in 1973, EDWARD OFOSU is a self-taught artist. From the age of eight he knew he would be an artist. He wanted to paint as a career but was encouraged to study science by his family.

By 1997 he could no longer ignore his creative passion so started painting in his spare time. With no formal training EDWARD has learnt from magazines and other painters' work. He feels he should embrace his creative talent and commit to share it with others and keep working with what comes naturally.

Throughout the years he has improved and acquired a state of inner peace by following his instincts and now desires to share his inner beauty with the world and convey the importance of communing with our souls. His works are versatile and he likes to experiment with various mediums and forms of artwork. His works are based on realism but like exploring a more abstract style. Visionary artist Alex Grey and Leonardo Da Vinci have been his source of inspiration. EDWARD moved to London six years ago and has taken part in group exhibitions. In 2009 he was a runner up in the Artist of the year award, organized by Artists & Illustrators magazine.

INFO
EXHIBITION TITLE Beyond Form, _Painting Exhibition by Edward Ofosu
DATES: Thursday 7th April to 27th April
OPENING HOURS: open daily, 12noon to 12midnight
ADDRESS: Open The Gate, 33-35 Stoke, Newington Rd, London N16 8BJ
ADMISSION: Free
INFO / PUBLIC ENQUIRY: Sandrine Herbert : 0207 503 6099 or contact@openthegate.org.uk
(Credit: A big thanks to Freya of: http://www.shadders.net/ for this info)

Art: Artist/filmmaker Akosua Adoma Owusu, artist Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and photographer Kwaku Alston are all showing at Studio Museum in Harlem –right now…

Diplomacy III, 2009 by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye



Artist and filmmaker: Akosua Adoma Owusu

Akosua Adoma Owusu’s work is currently showing at the Studio Museum in Harlem’s ‘Changing Same Show’ in their Video Studio and runs until the 13th March 2011).

Photography: Kwaku Alston
To be perfectly honest, I have no idea if uber photographer Kwaku Alston is Ghanaian/of Ghanaian origin or not -but I do know that he is talented and I hope to work with him -someday. I stumble across his work in the latest Issue of Marie-Claire magazine and was pretty impressed (plus my father’s called Kwaku –and they tend to be nice)…

Kwaku’s at the very top of his game and has photographed the likes of: Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods, -worked for hot publications like: The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Essence magazine–and advertising for: Coca Cola, Blackberry and Target, -and is presently showing at the Studio Museum of Harlem –as part of their Harlem Postcards - Fall/Winter 2010/11 show (showing until 13th March 2011).

**Ghana Rising favourite, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye is also showing at the Studio Museum in Harlem -her very first solo museum exhibition entitled ‘Any Number of Preoccupations’, organized by Associate Curator Naomi Beckwith.

For more information visit: http://www.studiomuseum.org/
Studio Museum in Harlem
Address: 144 West 125th Street, New York, New York
Telephone: 212.864.4500
Opening Hours: Thursday 12:00 – 9:00PM; Friday 12:00 – 9:00PM; Saturday 10:00 – 6:00PM; Sunday 12:00 – 6:00PM

Enjoy Ghanaian Art and Cultural history at The British Museum

‘Man’s Cloth’ by El Anatsui [2001]

Art by Owusu Ankomah [2006]

‘Kokrobite’ by Atta Kwami [2007]

‘Kente Rhapsody’ by El Anatsui [2001] –with Ghanaian Kente from the 20th Century [Adwineasa] in the background.

King Alex and I went to The British Museum to see their newly extended African Collection –and we were pleasantly surprised to discover a whole section on Ghanaian Art and Culture comprising: ‘funky coffins’, drums, royal swords [and other royal regalia’s], photographs of Ghanaians, funeral artifacts, stools –and much more on the ground floor. The basement was awe inspiring with art work by uber Ghanaian artists -El Anatsui, Atta Kwami and Owusu Ankomah. The British Museum also carries an extensive array of Kentes, masks, and art from other African countries. Presently, they have a fabulous exhibition about the ‘Kingdom of Ife’ [a must for all African art lovers]. For more information about The British Museum please visit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/

The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG
020 7323 8000

Art: 'Off My Back' by Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah

1995  [The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art]

b. 1956, Ghana
Owusu-Ankomah was born in Secondi, Ghana, and attended art school in the capital Accra. After several trips to Europe in the early 1980s, the artist established a studio near Bremen, Germany, where he currently resides and works.

**Do we have work by Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah in Ghana?

Art: Lynette Yiadom Boakye

Diplomacy II [2009]

'The Magnifying Monkey's Glass' 2009

'I like the decadence of oil paint. I like decadence in general. I wanted to paint the person that soul singers have written love poetry for, or the type that missionaries would like to teach. In the end, the history and act of painting is what matters.' Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

It’s lovely when there’s a creative buzz about you –and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye has been causing artistic explosions since 2007. Ekow Eshun called her, ‘a rising star'; Charles Saatchi is 'sitting-up-and-taking-note'....and she continues to exhibit internationally -yep, Yiadom-Boakye is hot right now! You can catch her at the upcoming ‘The Armory Show 2010' in NYC this March. ...Contact Details:
Date: March 4th -7th 2010
The Armory Show, Inc.
7 West 34th Street, Suite 1027
New York, NY 10001 USA
TELEPHONE -212.645.6440
www.thearmoryshow.com

Home & Art: El Anatsui’s wall hanging.......

I’m loving the golden wall hanging by uber artist El Anatsui on the wall of Rosita Missoni[founder of fashion house Missoni]’s home. Rosita Missoni’s beautiful sitting room demonstrates perfectly – how to display [and decorate with] African art in the home.... [Photo: House & Garden magazine]

Art: George Hughes

Heritage
Genealogy
Mask
“Art has become a ‘forum’ through which I visually analyze the predicaments of humanity such as war, violence and tragedy. Our beliefs, occupations, destiny and how they affect our relationship with fellow human beings, continues to intrigue and inspire me to work.” George Hughes

As you all know, -I love Art and I’m very exited by these Abstract gems by contemporary Ghanaian artist and poet, George Hughes aka Afedzi. Just feast your eyes on Heritage-1, Genealogy and Mask, ‘09, I want them –now! For more information about George Hughes please visit: www.gohughes.com

George Hughes at work [2007]

I was wondering, –when was the last ‘Retrospective’ of George Hughes work in Ghana or better still, –do we have a museum dedicated to contemporary Ghanaian Artist? ...xx

Art: Atta Kwami

Amedzofe 2007

Kpong 2006

Harmonium 2001

"The starting point of my inspiration is my environment. Many of my images have been shaped by my experiences of Atonsu Agogo, a commercial/workshop area in Kumasi, close to my studio. My works are not transpositions of African or European images but become new and real entities brought about by material concerns. The Ewe saying "All things belong to the earth" with its animistic connotations has implications for my art practice." Atta Kwami

Artist and academic, Atta Kwami was born in Accra in 1956. He lives and works in Kumasi, where he is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Painting & Sculpture at the College of Art, KNUST [Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi]. He studied painting at the College of Art in Kumasi from 1976 to 1980, gaining a BA and has taught at the college since 1986. He has made many international teaching visits as Visiting Lecturer to universities in England, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria -and he gained an M.Phil in African Art in 1992 and was Fellow in Printmaking at Chelsea College of Art & Design, The London Institute in 1992/93.

Atta Kwami has exhibited extensively around the world [including: 2002/03 Nicolas Krupp Contemporary Art Gallery, Basel, Switzerland 2001 Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland 2001 Beardsmore Gallery, London 2000 L´Alliance Francaise de Kumasi, Ghana 1999 Lake Naivasha Studios, Naivasha, Kenya 1998/99 National Museum of Ghana, Accra 1996 School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 1995 Newtown Galleries, Johannesberg 1995 Beardsmore Gallery, London 1994/95 Point of View Gallery, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC, USA 1993 Castle Museum Nottingham, UK 1980 British Council, Accra, Ghana].
*Note -The above artworks are a small sample of Atta Kwami's work -and can be purchased from the, Howard Scott Gallery at:www.howardscottgallery.com