Abstract
This paper discusses some recent developments in Ghana’s contemporary art scene which have escaped the critical lens of African art scholars. The discussion is an exercise in reasoned methods of dialogue, logic and argumentation to arrive at pragmatic measures to address the pertinent issues plaguing contemporary art practice in Ghana. The various issues on aesthetics, imposed creative narratives by “gatekeepers” and the politics of identity were discussed through the exchange of ideas, logical analysis of concepts, trends and approaches to contemporary art practice in Ghana. For instance, what does our art and collective creative expression reflect about our national orientation, cultural identity and public philosophy as a people? This has been a central issue of concern in this discourse to unravel what Dr Kwame Nkrumah meant by forging the African personality within Ghana’s cultural institutions. The analysis ultimately reveals a significant tension: while a new generation of artists is actively crafting a dynamic and self-defined African identity, their efforts are often constrained by institutional frameworks that have not kept pace with this evolution. The chapter concludes by proposing a critical re-evaluation of these institutional structures to better foster an organic and sustainable artistic ecosystem. The data was collected through informal interviews and participant observation that included attending art exhibitions, art talks, art festivals, and seminars on contemporary art in Ghana. More data was generated by drawing on blog interviews, informal discussions, exhibition catalogues, social media commentaries and curatorial statements by curators documenting their creative practice in Ghana.
Presenters
Sela Kodjo AdjeiHead of Department/Research Coordinator, Multimedia and Design, University of Media, Arts and Communication, Greater Accra, Ghana
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Art History, Criticism, Contemporary Art, Identity, Aesthetics, Plagiarism, Psychology, Philosophy
