Accompanying the solo exhibition, Freedom Rising: The Art of Owusu-Akomah, the talk explores the complex paintings of Owusu-Ankomah. The works depict an alternative world abounding with symbols and monumental human figures. Reflecting the artist’s own spiritual journey, the way in which these figures interact with the surrounding symbols has developed through several distinct phases over time.
When starting out, Owusu-Ankomah’s work drew largely on ancient African traditions of rock painting and masquerade, before his figures shed their masks and became mute actors afloat in an ocean of signs. Originally, the accompanying signs were all derived from the adinkra symbol set embodying the traditional wisdom of the Akan people of Owusu-Ankomah’s native Ghana. However, over time symbols from other sources and diverse cultures have also been added, including many novel glyphs devised by the artist himself.
Further information about the speakers to follow.
Image: Owusu-Ankomah, Microcron - Kusum No.4, (detail), 2011. Acrylic on canvas,135 x 175 cm. © Estate of Owusu-Ankomah. Courtesy Estate of Owusu-Ankomah and October Gallery, London. Photo © Joachim Fliegner.
