HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2025.

By Nii B. Andrews

The unannotated art work  that graced the text of our last post generated quite a bit of discussion offline and side bar. 

They were a series of barber signs that came from the ARTcapital collection and were collected in Ghana during the 1990s. 

The best examples are graphically vibrant and colorful pieces that the usually young barbers carried in order to advertise their skills and attract potential customers long before the 24 hour economy was proposed or before dumsor aka “light off” became part of our lexicon.

****LADIES IN WAITING: Yussif Sherrif Apatewin, mixed media on canvas, 51.4 x 41,5 inches, Private collection.*****

Their use in the article was to remind ourselves of the cruel “haircuts” meted out to the pensioners and alluded to in the text.

 Far removed from the creative impulses of our barbers and sign writers,  we marshalled them to emphasize that we are certainly not enthused at all nor shall we forget the treachery of those who should know better and have often presented themselves as gurus of economic policy and financial management.

Second the signs were a veiled reminder that the author still plies his day job as a surgeon. 

The antecedents of surgery of course in the UK being the barbers. Today, it is still the brain surgeons who offer free haircuts as a prelude to intracranial surgery. 

In this instance the barber surgeons occasionally  match the stylistic thrust of our local barbers with the former maintaining a predilection for a variant of the Mohawk.

Furthermore the life partner- the indomitable Ms. Damali, is a pioneering hairstylist.

But the prior reasons pale into insignificance when the illustrated hairstyles  – or haircuts and their names can be read as a historical record and cultural commentary.

Need we remind ourselves of ECOMOG, or the oblique references to VC 10 or TOKYO JOE and their societal impact at various periods of our nation’s history? 

We shall continue to scrutinize and appreciate the work of our artists in the coming year and hopefully pluck up enough courage to share our perspective on their work in this forum.

*****THE DAY THE MASQUERADERS CAME: Anne Blankson-Hemans, oil on board, 76,5 x 97.5 cm, 2021. Courtesy of the artist.

Since we live in a developing country with a significant population of young people who are yearning for steady and sustained progress, we have not shied away from robust and polemical statements in order to shed light on uncomfortable truths.

Indeed, the solution or resolution of any problem lies in the thorough knowledge and understanding of the facts of the case.

We thank you for your support and trust that your engagement with us will continue.

 Surely our society sorely needs regular reasoned discourse anchored in solid Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric in whatever language we select to use.

With the knowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done; let us all go out and as strict ethical hedonists usher in the New Year with discerning style. 

*****DESOLATION: Adjei Tawiah, oil on canvas, 132 x 114 cm, 2020, Private collection.**

If you ask me, velvet and silk are my preference for clothing; and of course for the feet, the Mary Janes  aka pumps with a satin or grosgrain bow on the vamp.

Cut crystal also helps to lend a festive, genteel and grateful vibe along with whatever premium beverage is your shtick; bubbles of course always have a certain cachet especially under candlelight – even more so when paired with raw oysters .

If you have vintage 1920s champagne glasses, this is the time to bring them out.

And when the clock strikes midnight; rise to your feet if you can; smile, hug a stranger or offer them a firm handshake while making eye contact and make sure you are wearing a tall, conical, colorful, shiny hat while making some noise with a tambourine or whistle or rattle.

Let us always remember to offer deep gratitude and reverence to the Giver of All Good Things.

Happy New Year, FOLKS.