Accra, the capital of Ghana in Africa, will soon have a new contemporary art space, slated to open on March 4 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Ghana’s independence.
Launched by the arts organization ANO—which was founded by Nana Oforiatta-Ayim—the multi-purpose space will be situated in the Osu neighborhood in the center of Accra. It will host performances, screenings, and exhibitions. The venue will also provide a headquarters for ANO.
ANO’s inaugural exhibition is “Accra: Portraits of a City,” in which six artists from Ghana will explore the city through drawings, photography, sculpture, architecture, research, and film.
Mae-ling Lokko, 21st Century Coconut Project. Courtesy of Mae-ling Lokko.
Included in the exhibition will be images from Deo Gratias, the oldest photography studio in Accra. The city began its transition to the city it is today in the 19th century, in parallel to the development of photography.
Serge Attukwei Clottey will be giving a performance at the Kpeshie Lagoon, exploring Ghanaian philosophy and mythological traditions and their modern meaning; Paa Joe will exhibit sculpture in the shape of the famous, ornate and decorative fantasy coffins used in Ghana; and Latifah Idriss and Mae Ling Lokko focus on the relationship between the city and its architecture.
Also on view for the first time in a gallery setting will be work by Felicia Abban, Ghana’s earliest female photographer, who has had a studio in the city for 60 years. ANO has plans to turn Abban’s studio into a museum dedicated to her legacy and providing workshops for young photographers.
An online resource, the Cultural Encyclopaedia, will launch concurrently to the opening of the space. The archive seeks to make information about the history and contemporary culture of Ghana available to a wider audience.