NEST EYE EXHIBITION 2011KNUST MUSEUM, KUMASI

November 21st – 27th

REVIEW BY CURATORS: Michael Sarkodie AddoAfari-Danso

Exhibition team: Michael Babanawo, Carboo Hartog, Emefa Sabina, Derrick Manu Acheampong, Agodza Solomon, Kwaku Ampadu

In collaboration with the department of painting and sculpture and the Artists’ League [TAL], The NEST EYE Exhibition 2011, organized by the Association of Painting Students[APS] was a highly successful event which platformed the contemporary art of several students of the college of art of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in Ghana. The NEST EYE with the theme ‘Illuminations; enlightenment through Art’, sought to encourage artist and the general public imbibe a contextual and idealistic approach to contemporary Art of Africa and also promote contemporary art of emerging artists.Putting together a range of multi-generational group of Artist, writers, critiques and more from the college, the exhibition presented not just thought provoking artworks but also issues that continues to be discussed on what art really is in this era of contemporary Art.

Starting with a forum which provided a discourse on the topic; The creation of the Ghanaian contemporary Art: the role of the first generation artist.The Audiences were educated on the Ghanaian art scene, the difference elsewhere around the world and the way forward for more advancement in our art practice. Speakers were: Mr. Michael Sowah [ Dei Center, assisting Curator, Accra ]

Dr. Karikacha Seidou [lecturer, College of Art, KNUST, Kumasi ]

KNUST MUSEUM

The exhibition also had a seminar session for some attendance throughout the days itwas opened and people were educated on what contemporary art is.

A number of high schools were also invited and given seminars as well.

SOME PARTICIPATING ARTIST AND THEIR ARTWORKS

IBRAHIM MOHAMMEDInstallation

Ibrahim explores ideas of identity, migration and others through his installation pieces. Mostly works with plaster of Paris[POP] where he cast his figures into life sizes accompanied by any other thing that communicate his ideas well to him. He is currently reading an MFA Painting

programme at the college of Art, KNUST.

DESMOND YOUNAYEL[Medium: Acrylic, Canvas]

Desmond questions issues of technology and its impact on mankind through his works.By superimposing the circuit board design on a human figure, he looks at the not far fetch future where technology would irresistibly become part of mankind and questions its prospects. He works in acrylic on canvas and also is into video installations.

AGODZA SOLOMON[Medium: Acrylic, Canvas]

Artist Statement.I paint to express my intention and feeling about society. My pursuit is on addressing societal and universal issues that gets my attention. In this regard my work sprung through politics, economics, religion and social issues that ruin humanity. These painting revisit issues of stereotypes about African ideals of beauty. It is interesting to note that most of the elements of beauty run through cultures, traditions and indigenous religion. I tackle such issues in my works to project the dynamism of culture and its evolution, to question people’s notion about African traditions, culture and customs which has evolved over time.

SABINA KALEKU EMEFAReflections of a Pantomime

[Medium: Acrylic, canvas, beads, fabrics]

Emefa’s works mostly concentrate on the female gender. Most works provides a scenario where a woman is doing a job commonly done by men and with that she questions people’s ideals on feminism.Her Installation at the Nest Eye Exhibition comes with this poem;

I give thee a treasure. To by pass your pleasure. You choose thine feature.To make thine exposure. Pains of mine grumpissure.To thee a fallen whorl.To be called a whore.Scared of thine own war.To thee I have no wall.Thee have now become mine squall.

ADDO SARKODIE MICHAEL[Medium: acrylic, canvas, sticky note]

Michael puts his works in the middle of issues to enlighten his audience on various options they perhaps don’t pay attention to. He works around the central them of consciousness, ignorance and issues pertaining to the memory. This installation combines various materials to address issues of consciousness and pushing people to look outside the ordinary. His works also addresses issues concerning attitude on the African continent as a reason for our underdevelopment. He states in one of his statements’; “the mind is a vital tool and if one feeds it with the right information, it can produce greater works.” He works in video installation as well.

GODFRED TETTEH[Medium: Acrylic, canvas]

Godfred works in acrylic on canvas and other materials as well. His paints are applied in a very thick form. He states ‘I often pour paints to make them drip and paint with them spontaneously, combining different techniques and styles of painting into one. The thickness gives the painting a strong effect of life, energy and character.’ Life is the central theme he explores in his works. He puts it in two parts, the present and the future from which he reveals certain issues that has been overlooked in history, its consequences and prospects. For him politics is funny, he dislikes it though but strangely have fun also portraying political themes in his works. He states; ‘political figures are interesting characters, their looks, gestures, etc, they seem to be living double lives’.

WILLIAM EKOW DUKU[Medium: Acrylic, canvas]

ARTIST STATEMENT As an artist my aim is not about doing work for it beauty but try to bring up issues in the society in my works. A situation whereby one ethnic group considers itself superior or above the other and due to this, there are divisions and misunderstanding in some part of the country.Seeing some ethnic groups in Africa not being in good terms or relationship with one another, resulting into conflict depicted this theme that is festival in the work to help solve some of the problems in the society. In my work, I painted umbrella tops to signify different ethnic groups being brought together due to festival and also to signify different ethnic groups being part of the festival with different colours being brought together, to suggest peace or unity. No matter how far one is festivals brings us together. So due to this festive moment issues are being solved .so there would not be anything like being superior to the other but as people of the same vision and goal.

ABEDI-BOATENG SARFO[Medium: Acrylic, canvas, newsprint, plastic etc]

GBLORKPOR JOSHUA MAWULI[Medium: Painting on canvas]

ARTIST STATEMENTA bell keeps ringing in my mind to motivate others and to make them keep hopes high through the changing scenes of life. This is to encourage great minds to forge on and not to back down on setbacks.Being carried away by various materials, placing and organizing them on a weak support posed a challenge yet I was able to compose them to create figures out of the many pictures and texts on the newspaper. The choice of additional elements and materials used in the work adds meaning and makes the message to be sent across clear. The work in its space stands alone to make it seen and attention to be drawn on it to project the true meanings I want the viewer to capture together with the users interaction with the work. Since the work aims motivating the viewer, the viewer is part of the work for the full meaning of the work to be realized. One of the works that signifies strength has defined the total exhibition space. This work puts all my newspaper works together as one.

Abedi Sarfo works in a variety of materials from canvas, newsprint and more. He employs surrealism in his work.His work addresses social issues, political and sometimes religious as well. He is a Christian and therefore incorporates Christian ideas in his works, for instance the creation story.

THOMAS YAMSON[Medium: Acrylic, canvas, newsprint]

SAAKA MORDECAI[Medium: Acrylic, canvas, newsprint]

ARTIST STATEMENTMy goal as an artist is not just to set out to produce art about one subject or another. I constantly try to use my art to address and criticize issues emerging from our day to day life. Sometimes I develop aspect of my life into more in-depth ideas as themes for my paintings.

This work tends to focus on our everyday activities. Africa as a continent has lost its pride and glory due to the lack of unity and understanding among its people. And also ignored their creator and rather put their trust in humans and worldly things.

God is our maker and he is the only one that can give us anything that we need and we should not depend on perishable things.

ARTIST STATEMENTThe dominant subjects in my work are women. This is because the body of a woman is full of mysteries every movement of their body sends out a message. My inspiration is drawn from women especially young and vibrant women. My work addresses some issues in the society. This I show through the pose, expression and dressing of the female body. The work is not complete without the inclusion of the viewer as it poses a question to the viewer. The work can be send to be complete if the viewer reacts to it.

AFARI DANSO

VABENE FIATSI

ARTIST STATEMENT

This artwork is an exploration into the birth of writing. I employed a technique I call ‘stickles’ to execute it. I was inspired by something I read in a book titled ‘landmark of world history.’ It talked about how certain writings were birthed. The hieroglyphics was another amazing thing.

A careful observation of the work shows various forms and shapes. The stickles also provide familiar alphabets and shapes in various forms.

Other Works Exhibited:

In recent years, exhibitions do not only transform thought patterns into art pieces but also authenticate the membership of artists into the creative world, such that it is impossible to talk freely about a piece of art work without having to mention its creator. The exhibition space is becoming so much an active space that it seals up artists’ membership into artists communities and it is even making it possible to simply express the notion that artists who do not exhibit do not exist.

The Nest Eye Exhibition hopes to continue to create this Avenue for the stabilization of a wonderful art society.

For Further Information on any issue concerning the Exhibition or Nest Eye in general;Curators: hornarte@gmail.com, addomichael@rocketmail.com.web: www.horn-art.blogspot.comPress office: hornarte@gmail.com, addomichael@rocketmail.com.Phone: +233 207505740.Post: P.O.Box T 209, Old-Tafo, Kumasi, Ghana.