“IN SEARCH OF BLUE”: FOUR ARTISTS AT LAFA.

By Nii B. Andrews.

The last decade and a half has seen contemporary African Art make a tremendous impact on the international art scene – shows at leading galleries and blue chip auction houses.

In a few cases the value of work by artists from Africa has reached levels that would have been unthinkable prior to this epoch.

But unfortunately, even though there has been a significant increase in the number of local galleries operating in Ghana, the ecosystem still remains largely under developed.

ARTIST: EDWARD OFOSU

Title: A LOVED ONE 

Medium: Mixed Media on Fabric

Size: 100x100cm

Title: WHO’S AUTHORITY

Medium: Mixed Media on Fabric

Size: 100x100cm

Title: WATCHING ISRAEL KILLING CHILDREN

Medium: Mixed Media on Fabric

Size: 51x76cm

In this context the work of LA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS (LAFA) provides a bright spark. 

It operates from a well appointed space along the La Beach Road.

As a follow-up to an earlier exhibition solely of female artists, this exhibition, IN SEARCH OF BLUE features paintings by four emerging male artists.

Collectively the four artists provide a gorgeous splendour of work; an animated colorful, patterned commentary on contemporary issues that confront us with an unavoidably dimmest possible view of the human character.

Whether it is by unmitigated armed violence or plain illegality perpetuated by crass impunity; ecocide and genocide are streamed live onto our smart phones and TVs on a daily basis.

We are all familiar with the bombed out cities and their numerous maimed orphaned children from beyond our national borders; ditto for the dark brown rivers and the now lunar like landscapes of former farmland in our own motherland.

ARTIST: NANA KWASI KUMI

Title – ECHOES OF WAR 

Medium- Acrylic and soft pastels on canvas 

Size : 100x80cm

Title – VEILS OF THE INNER SELF 

Medium : Acrylic on canvas

Size : 100x100cm

Title – THE HIDDEN TRUTH

Medium: Acrylic on canvas 

Size : 100x100cm

In the former case, the world looks on unconcerned; in the latter, those who protest peacefully on the streets are hauled off to jail and brutalised – the messengers are now the villains.

Hence we can understand DRIATEHE aka Pitcho when he asks, “Where are you going?” with a canvas populated with ethereal figures in pastel colors.

Or when OSEIGYEI KUMAH states, “Peace and Love in my dreadlocks”- with the skin of all his figures in blue.

Or the fragmented and contorted faces of KWASI KUMI and EDWARD OFOSU in their paintings, “Faces of War” and “Watching Israel Killing Children” respectively.

ARTIST: CLAUDE-YANNICK DRIATEHE

Title: NAP TIME

Medium: Acrylic and cardboard sheet on crumpled paper

Size: 40.16×32.28 inch

Title: WHERE ARE YOU GOING

Medium: Acrylic and marker on canvas

Size: 32.29×45.27 inch

None of these paintings portray a defensive knee jerk anger nor clichéd protest semantics.

But make no mistake, there is thinly veiled angst and rage -‘a Pandora’s box rich in a complexity of traumatic emotional and psychic experiences.

The words of Robert Frost appear to ring true everyday:

“Some say the world will end in fire, 

Some say in ice.

From what I have tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice, 

I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice 

Is also great

And would suffice”.

After so much blood and ehrm……gold; we are faced with nothing but disappointment and continuing mass poverty; at best perhaps, ominously a soporific opulent banality of the purveyors of “ablo”,  the sadists and merchants of death.

ARTIST: SAMUEL OSEIGYEI

Title: PEACE AND LOVE IN MY DREADLOCKS 

Medium: Acrylic on canvas 

Size: 60×48 inches 

Title: INNOCENCE’S INSIGHT 

Medium: Acrylic on canvas 

Size: 48×36 inches 

Title: BUKOM

Medium: Acrylic on canvas 

Size: 36×36 inches 

To survive, we can only then go IN SEARCH OF BLUE – a color that from antiquity has denoted the sky or depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, and intelligence.

Or if you prefer – a color denoting deep spirituality, heaven or peace.

Not to search for blue is not an option; blue is compatible with life and the divine favor.

The curated works by LAFA of the four emerging artists should provide some assistance on this onerous quest.

*********IN SEARCH OF BLUE.

17 OCTOBER – 20 NOVEMBER 2024

La Foundation For The Arts 

144 La Road, Accra.

+233 (0) 256899163

enquiries@lafa.org.gh

OPENING TIMES

Tuesday : 10am – 7pm

Wednesday : 10am – 7pm

Thursday : 10am – 7pm

Friday : 10am – 7pm

Saturday : 12am – 5pm

Sunday and Monday : Closed

ARTISTS:

Edward Ofosu

Samuel Kwame Oseigyei Kumah 

Claude-Yannick Driatehe Guei ( Pitcho)

Nana Kwasi Koranteng Kumi.

Art work photos in text are courtesy of LAFA.