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The signs and symbols of Owusu-Ankomah

Art, Graphic Design

Posted by Mark Sinclair, 5 September 2011, 11:54    Permalink    Comments (2)

Owusu-Ankomah, Thinking the Microcron No.1, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 120 X 140 cm. Photo by Joachim Fliegner. Image Courtesy October Gallery London

Ghanaian artist Owusu-Ankomah will be showing a series of new paintings, laden with mysterious symbols and signs, at the October Gallery in London from September 15...

Owusu-Ankomah, Looking Back into the Future, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 200cm

Based in Bremen in Germany, Owusu-Ankomah's art often depicts large scale human figures and for this new collection, Microcron - Kusum (Secret Signs - Hidden Meanings), each is surrounded and camouflaged by various symbolic sets and signs.

Owusu-Ankomah, Microcron - Kusum No.4, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 135 X 175 cm. Photo Joachim Fliegner. Image Courtesy October Gallery London

According to the gallery, for the new paintings Owusu-Ankomah has added well-known logos and Chinese calligraphy, as well as "visual signs of his own invention to the customary lexicon of 'adinkra' symbols, which each represent a particular concept used by the Akan-speaking peoples of Ghana. In the same Akan language, 'kusum', refers to sacred sites involved in the secret performances of mystery rites."

The exhibition is on at the October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL until October 29. More at octobergallery.co.uk.

2 Comments

If you don't know Owusu-Ankomah, you'd be thinking his artwork is a bit weird but it's not. His work is actually artistic using Adinkra symbols. I find it entertaining especially whenever I see his work, I would automatically look for a man because it's his trademark! Well, that is what art is about, right?
faith @ free brochure template
2011-09-06 08:04:13


Wow! amazing! Wish I was in London to see his exhibition!
Emine
2011-09-07 00:26:46


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