SHOWCASE

KOFI SETORDJI - THE BLACK STARS OF GHANA: http://bit.ly/18JWs95

Kofi Setordji was born in Accra in 1957. He learned the craftsmanship, which he later utilized to create internationally renowned sculptures and paintings and reach the minds and conscience of his audience, during an education as a commercial painter and graphic artist. In his younger years he earned his living by working as a billboard painter, painting according to the instructions of his clients, before studying sculpture with famed Ghanaian artist Saka-Acquaye between 1984 and 1988. Nowadays as a fine art painter and sculptor he only works for himself pursuing his own artistic and creative endeavours.

Kofi Setordji’s perhaps best-known work is “Genocide,” a multi-dimensional installation that he created in memory of the countless anonymous victims of the genocide in Rwanda and as a monument reminding us of the ever-repeating circle of similar atrocities around the world.

Kofi Setordji works with different materials like wood, metal, bronze, stone, terracotta and paint to create sculptures and paintings commenting on historical, social and political issues.

A five metres high sculpture of Kofi Setordji which was commissioned by the city of Accra is now standing opposite the national theatre (“Entre Amies”). Other sculptures explore the “Brain Drain” from African countries interpreting it as a grass-roots revolt or they accuse corrupt politicians by showing them without hands, because they never touch the bribe money, but it reaches them by wire transfer.

In a retrospective in 2012 Kofi Setordji was called one of the most outstanding contemporary Ghanaian artists of his generation with an abundance of expressions as varied as his eclectic style, having worked literally in every conceivable medium, genre and style, from photography through painting to his signature work as a sculptor having been exhibited in important museums and institutions in the U.S., South Africa, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark.

Besides being a sculptor, painter and photographer, Kofi Setordji has become one of the foremost mentors of young artists in Ghana. In his ArtHAUS compound students from all over the world gather around the master. This is where discussions, arguments, work and laughter occur, as Prof. Gert Chesi noted. This dedication for the cultural development of Ghana’s still expanding art scene is complemented by Kofi Setordji’s work on the board of the Nubuke Foundation which promotes Ghanaian art, culture and heritage both at home and abroad.

Safia Dickersbach

See more about the project on “This Is Africa”: http://bit.ly/16ejiHb

KWADWO ANI - THE BLACK STARS OF GHANA: http://bit.ly/15OOsUn

Kwadwo Ani was born in 1966 and comes from Mamfe Akuapim in the Eastern region of Ghana. Already as a young boy he was developing his artistic talent with drawings that caught his mother's attention. While his father insisted on him working in his father's bus as a driver's mate, Kwadwo Ani's mother was supporting him in pursuing an education as an artist. Kwadwo Ani later graduated at Ghanatta College of Art with a Diploma in Painting and continued to study at Ankle College of Art where he received a Diploma in Practical Painting.

Kwadwo Ani's painting style borrows from the toys of his childhood. He paints his figures with open mouths and big open eyes like kids observing the world around them with wonder.

Kwadwo Ani illustrates situations of urban and street life or social interaction addressing everyday issues of life in an African society like injustice and greed, violence and strife, but also friendship and charity, social inequalities and political corruption. His unique painting style that is reminiscent of naive art puts problems of contemporary society into a challenging contrast with the childlike protagonists of his artworks.

The morality that Kwadwo Ani expresses in his paintings does not accuse the viewer thanks to the mostly humorous way in which human interaction and behaviour is depicted. This is true even if the audience feels rightfully addressed by the message that the painting epitomizes and illustrates. The serious subtext that Kwadwo Ani wants to bring across, that everybody should think about his own demeanour and potential wrongdoing, is always accompanied by a sly smile on the face of his paintings.

Safia Dickersbach

See more about the project on “This Is Africa”: http://bit.ly/16ejiHb