Basic 5 · Creative Arts · Thinking and Exploring Ideas
Visual Artists of Ghana and Africa
In this topic you will explore and study the works of some Ghanaian and other African visual artists.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name some Ghanaian and African visual artists
- Describe their artworks, media and styles
- Explain what we can learn from their work
What you already know
- Visual arts in Ghana (Basic 4)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Visual Arts
- Sub-strand
- Thinking and Exploring Ideas
- Indicator
- B5.2.1.1.1 – Explore and study some compositions and performances of Ghanaian and performing artists living in Africa
Introduction
Ghana and Africa have produced many great visual artists. Their paintings, sculptures, prints and textiles tell stories about African life, history and beliefs, and are admired around the world.
1. Ghanaian Visual Artists
| Artist | Media and style | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| El Anatsui | sculpture from bottle tops, copper wire, wood | huge shimmering wall hangings; Golden Lion award, Venice 2015 |
| Ablade Glover | oil painting with a palette knife | colourful market scenes and crowds; founder of Artists Alliance Gallery, Accra |
| Kofi Antubam | painting, sculpture, design | designed state regalia, including the presidential seat, at independence |
| Vincent Kofi | wood and stone sculpture | powerful figures showing African strength and emotion |
| Grace Salome Kwami | sculpture, painting | one of Ghana's first female sculptors and art teachers |
2. Other African Visual Artists
| Artist | Country | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Esther Mahlangu | South Africa | bold Ndebele geometric painting on walls, cars and canvas |
| Bruce Onobrakpeya | Nigeria | printmaking using new techniques; images of Urhobo culture |
| Ben Enwonwu | Nigeria | sculpture and painting, including the famous portrait "Tutu" |
| Chéri Samba | DR Congo | colourful paintings with words that comment on society |
3. Studying an Artwork
When you study an artwork, look carefully at it. Ask: What is shown? What materials did the artist use? What colours, lines, shapes and patterns can you see? How does it make you feel? What message might the artist be sending? For example, El Anatsui uses thousands of bottle tops from drinks. These remind us of trade between Africa and Europe, and also show how waste can be turned into beautiful art.
Ablade Glover's market paintings use thick strokes of bright colour applied with a knife. From a distance the strokes become crowds of women with head-loads and colourful cloth, capturing the energy of Ghanaian markets.
4. Lessons from These Artists
- Local materials and even waste can become great art.
- African culture, history and daily life are worth showing.
- Each artist develops a personal style through practice.
- Ghanaian artists can achieve worldwide success.
New words
- visual art
- Art that is seen, such as painting and sculpture.
- medium
- The material an artist uses.
- style
- An artist's special way of making art.
- sculpture
- A three-dimensional artwork.
- printmaking
- Making pictures by pressing an inked surface onto paper.
- gallery
- A place where art is displayed.
Summary
- El Anatsui, Ablade Glover and Kofi Antubam are famous Ghanaian artists.
- Esther Mahlangu, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Ben Enwonwu are famous African artists.
- Study an artwork by looking at what it shows, its media and its message.
- African artists show the beauty and meaning of African life.
Class activity: Artist Profile
- Choose one artist from the tables.
- Make a profile card with their name, country, media, style and one artwork.
- Present your card to the class.
You need: Printed portrait of Chinua Achebe, Physical copy or short printed excerpt of Things Fall Apart, Manila author-profile cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which Ghanaian artist makes wall hangings from bottle tops?
- A. El Anatsui
- B. Ablade Glover
- C. Kofi Antubam
- D. Esther Mahlangu
Show answer
Answer: El AnatsuiHe uses bottle caps and copper wire.2. Ablade Glover is famous for painting…
- A. market scenes and crowds
- B. cars
- C. snow
- D. space
Show answer
Answer: market scenes and crowdsWith a palette knife.3. Esther Mahlangu comes from…
- A. South Africa
- B. Ghana
- C. Nigeria
- D. Kenya
Show answer
Answer: South AfricaShe paints Ndebele patterns.4. Sculpture is a three-dimensional artwork.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueIt has height, width and depth.5. Kofi Antubam was a South African painter.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseHe was Ghanaian.6. The material an artist uses is called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: mediumPlural: media.7. Name two Ghanaian visual artists and the media they use.
Show answer
Answer: El Anatsui (bottle tops, wire); Ablade Glover (oil paint with a palette knife).Any two correct.8. What message might El Anatsui's bottle-top art send?
Show answer
Answer: It shows how waste can become beauty and reminds us of trade and history between Africa and the world.Interpretation.
Homework
- Find a picture of a Ghanaian artwork in a book or newspaper and describe it.