Ghana 2019

Title: “Ghana Freedom”
Curator: Nana Oforiatta Ayim
Commissioner: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Ghana 
Artists: Felicia Abban, John Akomfrah, El Anatsui, Ibrahim Mahama, Selasi Awusi Sosu, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
Architect: Sir David Adjaye OBE
Strategic Advisor: Okwui Enwezor 

The first national pavilion of Ghana at 58th Venice Biennale is the result of the joining of forces and ideas of architect Sir David Adjaye, curator Nana Oforiatta Ayim and six prominent artists from the cultural Ghanian landscape. For the occasion, Adjaye has created a site-specific elliptical structure, inspired by the traditional earth houses of the village of Sirigu in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Titled after the namesake song composed on the eve of the nation’s independence, the exhibition investigates the inheritance of that freedom. The pieces on view, by six artists from three different generations, include large-scale installations by El Anatsui and Ibrahim Mahama; representation and portraiture by photographer Felicia Abban and painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye; and a three-channel film projection by John Akomfrah and a video sculpture by Selasi Awusi Sosu. 

The exhibition takes place under the patronage of Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.