African American • Karo Courtship by Lisa Green

Ancient Traditions – Contemporary Forms

October 1 – October 31, 2004

curator’s statement | artist bios | exhibition catalogue
 
Ancient Traditions – Contemporary Forms is an exhibition that explores the theory of atavistic memory. In Memory Lines: Art in the Pan-African World, Nkiru Nzegwu (2000) suggests that “experiences make up history and history is constituted by memories.” Genetically these memories, like cultural DNA, are passed down from generation to generation and serve as a historical roadmap to the rites, rituals and traditions of one’s kinship.

In this exhibit, we employ the artwork of Ghanaian and African American artists to explore and prove this theory. Their paintings and sculptures become the visual language by which the stories of their cultural histories are revealed.

Curators: Myrtis Bedolla and Kwaku Ofori-Ansa, Ph.D.

Artwork

Wesley Clark, African American • Afrobeat
Acrylic on Canvas • 32” x 40”

Richard Ward, African American
Emulation of Jazz: Comment 1
Oil and Acrylic on Board • 42” x 42”

George Obeng, Ghanaian • Northern Drummer
Mahogany • 2.5” x 7”

Ann Williams, African American • Jazz Spirit
Acrylic on Canvas • 30” x 46”

Henry Appiah, Ghanaian • Music Makers
Acrylic on Canvas • 35” x 50”

Kwabena Afriyie Poku, Ghanaian • Mellifluous
Oil on Canvas • 44” x 48”

Godwin Sowah, Ghanaian • Grotic Rhythms
Oil on Canvas • 36” x 30”

Larry Saxon, African American • Carnival
Acrylic on Canvas • 32” x 40”

Tim Davis, African American • Passion Dance
Acrylic on Canvas• 29.7 x 40.5”

Joshua Issac, African American • The Essence of a King
Oil on Paper • 20.5” x 16.5”

Samuel Ashong, Ghanaian • Freedom Fighter II
Textile Painting • 22” x 40”

Emmanuel Pecku, Ghanaian • Inspiration
Acrylic on Canvas • 43.3” x 32.1”

Michael Platt, African American • The Box
Pigment Print • 16” x 20”

Gina Lewis, African American • Open Ended Possibilities
Acrylic on Paper on Board • 48” x 60”

Kelina Davis Elswick, African American • The Totem
Acrylic on Canvas • 12” x 15”

Scrample

Cynthia Sands, African American • Mysterious Travelers III
Mixed Media on Paper • 18” x 24”

Dr. Oku Ampofo, Ghanaian • Mounted Mask
Replicated by Paul Avisu • Teak Wood
22.5” x 5.5” x 8”

Bernard Mensah, Ghanaian • Adowa
Acrylic on Canvas • 50” x 55”

Ampofo-Anti, Ghanaian • Bahdiagara
Clay • 12” x 13” x 66”

Sandra Pope, African American • Shauman’s Will
Bluff Clay and Sand • 20” x 9”

Godwin Sowah, Ghanaian • The Masks
Oil on Canvas • 36” x 30”

Bernard Mensah, Ghanaian • Ancestors
Acrylic on Canvas • 35” x 35”

Lisa Green, African American • Karo Courtship
Pastel on Paper • 30” x 40”

M. Scott Johnson, African American
The Mind of Benjamin Banneker
Marble • 26” x 11” x 5.5”

Emmanuel Adjei, Ghanaian • Best of the Best
Acrylic on Canvas • 36” x 36”

Joshua Issac, African American
Don’t Rush to Get Old
Oil on canvas • 34” x 40”

Floyd Roberts, Ghanaian • Basket Weaver
Steel and plastic, copper, African cowrie shells, glass beads,
bone and out-date coins.
39” x 15” x 24”

Eric Eddy, Ghanaian • Mother and Child
Acrylic on Canvas• 30” x 40”

Doris Kennedy, African American • Transition II
Oil on Canvas • 36” x 36”

Enoch Yew Mensah, Ghanaian • Village Concert
Acrylic on Canvas • 30” x 24”

Tim Davis, African American • Traveling Family • Acrylic on Canvas• 12” x 16”

Johnathan Pickett, African American • Joyful Noise
Lithograph• 24” x 30”

Lisa Green, African American• Wrapped in Tradition
Pastel on Paper • 26” x 32”

Jacob Bennett, Ghanaian
Kaba & Slete
Acrylic • 16” x 40”

Kwabena Poku, Ghanaian • Business as Usual
Pastel on Paper • 22” x 26”

Cynthia Sands, African American • Fertility
Acrylic on Canvas • 28” x 38”

Ann Williams, African American
Ann’s Place
Acrylic on Canvas • 24” x 36”

Emmanuel Peku, Ghanaian • Fertility
Acrylic on Canvas • 26.8” x 49.6”