artemartis
accra, ghana
Artemartis, founded in 2018, is an Art Collective & Agency that focuses on development and management of visual artists.
With a physical studio space in Accra, Ghana, we currently represent emerging artists with art forms ranging from paintings, sculpture, literature, photography, to conceptual art.
Since our Launch, we have steadily evolved into a solid collective with artists and a well-known and respected brand, and this is evident through our collaborations with artists and art galleries, museums and institutions around the world.
Abdur Rahman Muhammad
THE SOUND OF OUR SOULS
Group Exhibition: UTA Artist Space
We are happy to announce that Abdur Rahman Muhammad will be participating in “The Sound of Our Souls”, an exhibition by UTA Artist Space - on view from November 17 - December 9, 2023, curated by Adora Mba, Founder and Director of ADA Contemporary Art Gallery based in Accra, Ghana. This exhibition is an extension of UTA Artist Space’s ongoing mission to provide a platform for paradigm-shifting gallerists who may not have a physical presence in Los Angeles.
“The Sound of Our Souls” is comprised of 15 emerging artists from the African continent, all showing in California for the first time. At a time when the international gaze is excitedly looking upon these young creative talents, the exhibition aims to present their proud and unapologetic voices and stories.
Exhibiting artists include:
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun, Barry Yusufu, Boluwatife Oyediran, Deborah Segun, Eniwaye Oluwaseyi, Ekene Emeka-Maduka, Abdur Rahman Muhammad, Gabriel Tendai Choto, Isaac Nana Opoku, Ishmael Armah, Khia Poitier, Ousmane Bâ, Samuel Olayombo, Youssra Raouchi and Zandile Tshabalala
Kwaku yaro:
LOOK AT WHAT YOU’VE SEEN
Solo Exhibition: Gallery 1957
Join us on the 9th of November to witness ‘Look at What You’ve Seen’, a new solo exhibition in Gallery 1957 by Kwaku Yaro curated by Nuna Adisenu-Doe.
Exhibition starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm.
In the heart of Labadi, a coastal fishing community nestled along Ghana’s Atlantic Ocean’s edge, lies the inspiration for this extraordinary exhibition.
Yaro’s portraits breathe life into what might otherwise be considered waste. He repurposes these materials, infusing them with new narratives, purpose, and significance- an affirmation of the soft influence of cultural exchange into the social fabric of his society.
‘Look at What You’ve Seen’ is accompanied by a curatorial text by Nuna Adisenu-Doe.
We look forward to your presence at the opening reception on Thursday 9th November 2023 from 6pm - 9pm at Gallery , Accra.
Kwaku yaro:
FILLING IN THE PIECES IN BLACK
Saatchi Gallery & Maruani Mercier
We are pleased to announce that Kwaku Yaro will be participating in "Filling in the Pieces in Black", a group show curated by leading television broadcaster, author, and diversity advocate June Sarpong OBE June Sarpong, featuring works by a range of international artists including Larry Achiampong, Cornelius Annor, Larry Amponsah, Radcliffe Bailey, Kwame Akoto Bamfo, Kwesi Botchway, Wonder Buhle, Samuel Desaboia, Godfried Donkor, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Johnson Eziefula, Modupeola Fadugba, Marcel Gyan, Lyle Ashton Harris, Yinka llori, Hassan Issah, Sthenjwa. Luthuli, Alexis McGrigg, Mario Moore, Kaloki Nyamai, Joshua Oheneba-Takyi, Zak Ové, Patrick Quarm, Sheena Rose, Samuel de Saboia, Mickalene Thomas, Uthman Wahaab, Khari Turner, Lulama Wolt, and Kwaku Yaro, among others.
Kwaku Yaro takes on the roles of observer and storyteller. He uses woven plastic mats as his canvases, which have many functions across the continent including for eating, talking, and relaxing, to bring to life different characters, each with their distinct style and swag, unique stories and histories, and together form a community.
We are pleased to announce that Kwaku Yaro will be participating in the 1-54 Art Fair in London, taking place from 12 to 15 October 2023 at Somersethouse.
Kwaku Yaro will be represented by SEPTIEME Gallery: Booth S17 at 1-54 London 2023!
Kwaku yaro:
1-54 London
We are pleased to announce James Mishio’s collaboration with Galerie Farah Fakhri, which includes a residency program and solo exhibition in Ivory Coast.
With his recently ended residency, James explores the communication and understanding among people, and lays emphasis on the eyes of his subjects as the portal through which people communicate. Eye contact between the figures in the paintings and the viewer creates an active dialogue with his audiences.
Mishio's lyrical figurative paintings focus on society's view on men with long hair and dreadlocks. The sensitive exploration of the humanity of his subjects fuels his work.
He is known for his signature textured pieces created using acrylics with a palette knife.
We are looking forward to his upcoming solo exhibition with the gallery, yet to be announced this year.
James Mishio:
Artist In Residence - Galerie Farah Fakhri
“WORLDMAKING”
We are pleased to announce that Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali and Araba Opoku will be exhibiting in “Worldmaking” by Mitchell-Innes And Nash - a group exhibition curated by Gideon Appah & Ylinka Barotto.
534 West 26th Street, New York
July 13 - August 25, 2023
This summer, Mitchell-Innes & Nash presents 'Worldmaking,' a group exhibition of ten emerging artists living and working in Ghana, with many showing their work in New York for the first time. The show will commence with a performative intervention by Nana Yaa Poku Asare-Boadu.
Encompassing significant new commissions and recent work spanning painting, sculpture, photography, video, and site-specific installation, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the vibrant art scene that characterizes Ghana todav. 'Worldmaking' features work by Hawa Ali Awanle Ayiboro, Dela Anyah, Rita Mawuena Benissan, Eric Gyamfi, Kelvin Hazel, Gideon Hanyame, Al Hassan Issah, Godelive Kasangati Kabena, Kay Kwabia, and Araba Opoku.
Congratulations to the brilliant artist, Kwaku Yaro, on being an artist-in-residence at Gallery 1957 in Accra, Ghana! We are thrilled to witness your incredible talent being recognized and celebrated within the art community.
Kwaku Yaro's artistic journey is a testament to his unique vision and artistic versatility. His ingenious use of multiple materials, combined with the incorporation of prayer mats into his works, creates a captivating fusion of art and spirituality. We are eagerly anticipating the culmination of this incredible residency with a solo show later this year, curated by Nuna Adisenu-Doe. The upcoming exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of his artistic prowess and the stories embedded within each artwork.
Kwaku Yaro: Artist In Residence 2023 (Gallery 1957)
In this collection of eight artworks, Awanle Ayiboro seeks to capture the vibrant and spirited essence of the traditional Ghanaian game of Ampe. Through her choice of blue colors and expressive brushstrokes, she evokes the joy, freedom, and rhythmic movements that define this cherished activity amongst her subjects, who are school children.
Congratulations to Awanle Ayiboro on her participation in the ongoing group exhibition, 'UNLIMITED II,' in Gallery 1957, Accra.
The second edition of UNLIMITED, curated by Marwan Zakhem gathers artists into a multi-layered dialogue which whispers from the immaterial world and explores consequences in the physical world.
UNLIMITED II (Gallery 1957): Awanle Ayiboro
We are pleased to announce that Kwaku Yaro will be participating at 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, New York 2023 - Stand 26 - in a group show by Septieme Gallery, with works from Aplerh-Doku Borlabi, Kaloki Nyamai, Kwaku Yaro, from May 18th to 21st, 2023.
The 2023 iteration will be held in a grand modern venue located in Manhattanville Factory District in West Harlem (439 W. 127th St).
This year’s New York edition features a total of 26 galleries hailing from across Africa, Europe and the U.S.—from Nevlunghavn to Cape Town and Los Angeles to Lagos, presenting the work of over 80 artists from Africa and its diaspora.
Kwaku Yaro 1-54 Art Fair 2023: New York
EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, features leading international galleries alongside the highest quality platform for contemporary art and culture. In 2023, EXPO CHICAGO will host 170 leading international exhibitors at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall.
The booth 113, from Gallery 1957 will showworks from artists Araba Opoku, Gideon Appah, Nadia Waheed, Patrick Alston, Eric Adjei Tawiah and Aplerh-Doku Borlabi.
Thursday, April 13 | 12:00noon – 9:00pm By Invitation Only.
Friday, April 14 | 11:00am – 7:00pm Saturday, April 15 | 11:00am – 7:00pm Sunday, April 16 | 11:00am – 6:00pm
Chicago's historic Navy Pier Festival Hall 600 E Grand Ave Chicago IL.
Chicago EXPO 2023:
“The Abandoned Playground”:
Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali, a 26-year-old Ghanaian painter, presents “The Abandoned Playground” at gallery Mathilde Le Coz, her very first personal exhibition. Through fifteen never seen works, the artist rewrites, under the blue filter of dreams charged with spleen and hope, the broken stories of women married by force, married too young, married before having been able to live their life.
13th April 2023 - 13th May 2023
11 rue Michel le Comte, 75003 Paris
The vaporous impression diffused by the shades of blue and the fluid touch of the artist make these characters float in a soothing dream. Awanle Ayiboro mends the past, regaining control of the stories entrusted to her. In “The Mother” (2023) the little girl is not given in marriage in front of her primary school, she is accompanied home by her mother. In “The Playground” (2023) if the little girl holds the “goro” a candy traditionally offered to families in northern Ghana when a marriage is arranged, a partially truncated sign reads “Watch Children” - the artist summons the parents of the little girl to protect her, encourages them to stop the ongoing negotiations. Her stylized paintings, by the simplification of forms, the black outline and the simplification of backgrounds - not unlike certain Nabis works - have a universal scope and facilitate the identification of the viewers. The artist addresses children as well as their parents, she calls on society as a whole to change mores and evolve mentalities. In her series of small formats “Career Day” Awanle Ayiboro portrays little girls during an event which, in primary school, takes the form of a role playing game where children can imagine themselves as adults in their dream job. The canvases are framed like family photos, an exhortation to let daughters, sisters, nieces choose their future.
“Visual language:
the art of protest”
Visual Language: The Art of Protest, is a group exhibition and survey of the symbiotic relationship between art and activism. The exhibition by Subliminal Projects & Coates and Scarry features a selection of pivotal artists whose practice challenges systematic corruption imposed by those in power. The tone of the works gathered range from political, ironic, typographic, autonomous, and abstract, collectively serving as a beacon of resistance, awakening, and a confrontation of regressive politics.
We are delighted to share that Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali is an exhibiting artist in this show.
Visual language: The Art of Protest opens on Saturday, 11th February from 7pm-10pm and will run through till the 25th of March
The exhibition includes works from Andrea Bowers, Awane Ayiboro Hawa Ali, Barbara Kruger, Cey Adams, Cheryl Dunn, Christopher Martin, David Shrigley, Ed Ruscha, El Seed, Emory Douglas, Gary Taxali, Gordon Cheung, Guerrilla Girls, Hana Shahnavaz, Leila Pazooki, Lina Puerta, Maya Hayuk, Pussy Riot, Penny Byrne, Renee Cox, Robbie Conal, Ron English, Salah Elmur, Shepard Fairey, Stan Squirewell, and Juana Valdez.
RSVP@subliminalprojects.com
1331 SUNSET BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA
“When the birds fly home”
Artemartis is pleased to collaborate with Gallery 1957 to present an exhibition of recent paintings by Abdur Rahman Muhammad, Araba Opoku, Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali, Courage Hunke, Efia Serwah Barning, James Mishio, Joshua Oheneba-Takyi, Kwaku Owusu Osei Achim and Kwaku Yaro.
In the heart of Dansoman, Accra, next to a noisy primary school, there is a blueish-grey house where the members of the collective Artemartis gather and work. ‘When The Birds Fly Home’ is a group exhibition dedicated to showcasing these artists’ individuality in a variety of mediums and visual languages, as well as interrogating what it means to belong to a collective art space in contemporary Ghana.
As a collective - the ‘birds’, will be presenting their works together in their home country for the first time as an act of ‘flying home’. As different as their processes and techniques are, their works share narratives that are socially and politically engaged, arising from a common sense of belonging.
-Extract from curatorial text by Angelica Litta Modignani
The exhibition runs form 7th February to 15th March, 2023
“A Night Out With Lariba And Friends”
Kwaku Yaro’s solo exhibition presents an opportunity for one to explore and learn about the importance of community and how each passing hour of the day cumulatively contributes to what we are, what we feel and what we seek to be.
SEPTIEME GALLERY presents Kwaku Yaro’s solo exhibition: A Night Out With Lariba And Friends (Value Of Dreams)
In this collection of works, the artist finds himself reconnecting with an old friend, Lariba, with whom he had lost contact for years. The rift that distance and time created has split them into two completely different worlds. Luckily for them, the moment they are in presents an opportunity for both friends to engage in a test of memory and friendship.
A NIGHT OUT WITH LARIBA AND FRIENDS
SEPTIEME Cotonou
Opening Friday, February 3rd, 2023 at 6pm
C/641 bis Mifongou - Gbegamey