Goings-on in Ghana

Shop Accra Goings-on in Ghana

By Ekow Barnes

In 2019, Ghana made headlines when it debuted its fi rst national pavilion at the Venice Biennale, designed by celebrated Ghanaian-British archtect David Adjaye. The groundbreaking exhibition displayed sculptures, paintings, and photographs from six artists of Ghanaian descent in a curving, ocher-colored space resembling a Gurunsi earth house, a traditional dwelling made from a mix of clay, soil, and straw. That same year, thousands of foreign tourists touched down in the capital city, Accra, for the Year of Return, a campaign aimed at reuniting members of the African Diaspora in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the landing of enslaved people in the United States. The multiday event was a celebration of the pan-African experience, with fi lm screenings, poetry readings, and a concert so ambitious it was billed as Afrochella.

The momentum didn’t stop there: last year, a striking elevated concrete gallery was unveiled at the Nubuke Foundation, one of Accra’s top art institutions, which has exhibited works by homegrown talents including photographer James Banor and sculptor and painter Kofi Setordji. And these are just a few examples of the country’s growing infl uence. To get a full picture of the scene, we spoke to the nation’s young generation of tastemakers for their local recommendations.

AMAARAE

Raised between Ghana and various cities in the U.S., the 26-year-old singer-songwriter is known for pioneering a distinctive Afro-fusion sound that’s heavy on R&B infl uences. In April 2018, Apple Music Africa dubbed her a favorite New Artist, and last November, she released her debut studio album, The Angel You Don’t Know, which Pitchfork selected as a Best New Album in November 2020. Her go-to spot to shop for music in Accra is God’s Time Vinyl, a stall in the downtown Arts Center market specializing in hard-to-fi nd records from African artists like Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor.

STEVE FRENCH

“I draw a lot of my inspiration from Ghana’s art, mujsic, culture, and history,” says the up-and-coming fashion designer, whose colorful,

billowing garmentsprinted in bright shapes and patterns-have been worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell. In 2019, he won a coveted

Guicci Design Fellowship, which celebrates underrepresented talent in the fashion world. Shop his looks at Elle Lokko, the city’s most celebrated concept shop, in the busy Osu neighborhood.

ARTSOUL KOJO

evolving, and how nuch energy is here.” Kojo says.

STEFANIA MANFREDA

The Ghanian-Italian businesswoman is the founder and creative director of Elle Lokko. “I spent some time in Italy and was particularly inspired by 10 Corso Como,” she says, referring to the trailblazing Milan boutique. “When I got back to Ghana, I felt the need to do something

The 24-yearold artist’s vivid fi gurative paintings incorporate Pop-art motifs and fragments of poetry. His works can be seen at Gallery 1957-one of Ghana’s fi rst contemporary art institutions, located in Accra and Londonas well as at the recently debuted Open House Studio, a communityminded space founded by Slovenian artist Tjasa Rener. “It’s inspiring to see how the scene is similar here. “Five years after its opening, Elle Lokko is still the spot to scoop up fashoins from young and established African brands like accessories line AAKS and ready-to-wear label I.AM.Isigo-plus locally made beauty products, ceramics and framed artworks. www.travelandleisure.com (March 2021) Image credit: myjoyonline.com, naturalmusic.co, vliscoandco.com, braperucci.africa, artsy.net, https:// kuulpeeps.com/2021/08/25/artsoul-kojo-preservingafrican-culture-and-philosophies-through-hispaintings/people, cac.gov.gh, Essence