On the 4th of August 2011, I attended the ‘Adventurers in the Diaspora Series’ at Accra’s Golden Tulip. The topic for discussion was “Revitalising Ghana’s National Museum of Arts”, and judging by the huge turnout the subject was clearly of interest to a large number of people. There were several ‘distinguished’[1] persons on the panel. This is how members of the panel were described in the event posted on Facebook:
“Mrs. Frances Ademola -artist and owner of Ghana’s first private art gallery, the LOOM
Mr. Seth Dei—Ghana’s largest collector of contemporary art and whose Dei foundation supports various Ghanaian artists and indigenous high-tech initiatives. He is also a partner at Blue Skies industry, a pre-eminent agro-business based in several countries around the world.
Hon. Fritz Baffour, MP- Chairman of the Museum board
Hon. J.S. Annan (MP)- Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and ex-Minister for Education
Prof, Atukwei Okai- Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and professor of African literature
David Adjaye- principal of Adjaye Associates, a world-leading architecture firm based in London and New York.
Kofi Setordji- reknowned artist and sculptor, co-director of Nubuke Art Gallery”
I feel like there were a lot more panelists at the actual event than described above, and I cannot remember Professor Okai being there (but I could be mistaken).
A couple of the panelists struck me for diverse reasons. Frances Ademola struck me, because she is a woman artist, the founder of an Art gallery and was credited by many members of the panel as the one who had nurtured their appreciation of Art, yet I had no prior knowledge of the existence of either her or her art gallery. David Adjaye because I have heard so much, and read so much about this award winning Ghanaian British architect yet I had no idea that he even visited Ghana or was in any way active here[2] and finally Kofi Setordjii because he gave a compelling call to action when he spoke.
At the end of the evening I was having a drink with one of my artist friends – he’s a photographer, likes to strum the guitar, writes and has an amazing eye for fashion and style.
Me: I want to go and check out the Museum of Arts, I had no idea one even existed.
Him: Yes, let me know when you want to go and we’ll make a trip of it.
Me: I want to see what potential there could be for AWDF to work with the Museum. We want to build an African Women’s Museum but we’re putting that on the backburner for now. Maybe we can fund an exhibition of women artists.
Him: [laughing] Which women artists?
Me: Yeah, that’s the point isn’t it? I am sure there are women artists everywhere but we don’t know about them. And it depends how you think about art – there is photography, fashion, writing…
Him: True. A lot of the time people do not think of photography as art…
Our conversation got me thinking. Who are the African women artists and where are they? I am especially interested in African women artists who use their art as a tool to provoke social consciousness. I started to create a mental list of African women artists that I know are doing this and then I thought, “I should blog about this and ask people to add to the list”. So that’s what I’m doing. My list is only going to comprise of people that I know in some way, and for the sake of brevity I will highlight only 10 African women artists. Either I have read their books, watched them perform, heard them speak, seen a trailer for their movie or engaged with them in some way – even if it’s only been via twitter 🙂
Do me a favour and add on to this list in the comments box. Let’s track who the African women artists are, what they do, and where they are.
Here’s my list:
- Frances Ademola? – I’m a bit confused as to whether to add her to the list. Is she an art gallery owner or an artist? Is the owner of an art gallery also an artist because they have an artistic eye or does an artist always create? AiD’s programme described her as an artist but in googling her I have come across this interview, which quoted her as saying, “I’m the eye of the buyer. It’s a good thing that I’m not an artist”[3]
- Nneka – Nigerian/German songstress who sings in English and Pidgin about the need for Africans to take responsibility for the problems we face on the continent (The Uncomfortable Truth), jogs our collective memory on the issues confronting Nigerian society whilst reminding us of the importance of remembering Ken Saro Wiwa and the causes for which the prominent environmental activist died , (Soul is Heavy) and the need for us all to recognize our inherent beauty (Beautiful). Nneka agreed in 2010 to work as an Arts Ambassador for AWDF and I’m really looking forward to exciting collaborations between her and AWDF
- Yvonne Chaka Chaka – One of Africa’s most powerful voices who also lends her support to many admirable initiatives. Yvonne Chaka Chaka sits on the AWDF South Africa board, is a member of the African Women Leaders Network for Reproductive Health, serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Malaria and also has her own NGO, The Princess of Africa Foundation. I personally met Yvonne when she attended AWDF’s 10th anniversary celebrations in November 2010 and I was struck by how nice Yvonne was as a person. Sometimes when you meet huge stars you’re disappointed because they act like divas but Yvonne is niceness personified.
- Wanuri Kahiu –I get most of my updates on Wanuri via her twitter handle @wanuri . I have seen the trailer for her film Pumzi and unfortunately missed an opportunity to see the full length film at the last Environmental Film Festival of Accra yet what I have seen of her trailer has been enough to convince me that this is the type of work that organizations like AWDF need to fund if we are going to use the arts as a tool for gender empowerment. In researching Wanuri further I came across her blog and it looks like she is not only nifty with the camera but with words too.
- Ama Ata Aidoo – Where do I start from when it comes to this doyenne of African literature? Like many people in Ghana, I first came across Ama Ata Aidoo in secondary school as “Dilemma of a Ghost” and “Anowa” were on our reading list. At university I decided to write my dissertation on the concept of ‘home’ as seen through the works of Ama Ata Aidoo and Buchi Emecheta (another stalwart of African women’s literature). In 2008, I met Auntie Ama face to face and was thrilled to be able to interview her for AWDF’s very first e-newsletter.
- Asa – I have been told Asa is my lookalike but that’s not why I have included her on this list 🙂 Recently I’ve heard one of her songs, which touches on the issue of sexual abuse. Please let me know what the title is if you know the song I’m describing – she sings about a young girl who has been abused and somehow the girl’s Father is involved.
- Jessica Horn – Jessica is a personal friend, poet and an all round inspiration to me. She’s the author of “Speaking in tongues” and a dynamic member of the African Feminist Forum’s steering committee. Jessica is also a women’s rights consultant focusing on issues of health, women’s rights and social change
- Leila Djansi – I first heard of Leila when her film “Sinking Sands” came out. I eventually watched ‘Sinking Sands’ with a friend and immediately afterwards was interviewed by Joy Fm for our perspectives on the film. Although we liked many aspects of the film we both felt that it’s a shame the male lead had what many may perceive as an excuse to be violent to his wife, especially as domestic violence is such an every day occurrence all over the word. Despite this, and upon continued reflection on the film I feel that ‘Sinking Sands’ is an important milestone in the Ghanaian film industry. The lead actress Ama K Abebrese did an amazing job and was well rewarded with an African Movie Award for Best Actress in a lead role. Kudos to Leila for highlighting the issue of domestic violence.
- Yaba Badoe – ‘The Witches of Gambaga’ is a powerful documentary, which brings us the real life stories of women condemned to live as witches at the Gambaga camp in Northern Ghana. I first saw this documentary at the 3rd African Feminist Forum in Dakar, Senegal, and subsequently at its premiere in Ghana. ‘The Witches of Gambaga’ always provokes a variety of reactions in the audience – shock, disbelief that women are accused of witchcraft in this day and age, and a strong desire to change the status quo. It is my hope that this documentary remains a powerful tool for creating a more just world for women and men.
So in your opinion where all the African women artists who use their art as a tool for social justice and the empowerment of women?
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
Programme Officer for Fundraising & Communications
AWDF
[1] I believe this was how the panel was described. In Ghana and to my understanding, being distinguished usually means you’re a Member of Parliament, a Minister or a Politician of some sort. Sometimes the term ‘distinguished’ is used to refer to a person who has excelled in their profession or life work.
[2] I’m assuming David Adjaye is in some way active in Ghana’s artistic/cultural purely events purely because he was selected for the panel discussion. Of course I could be totally wrong.
[3] http://visionofthefuture.blogspot.com/2009/11/art-matriarch.html
The song by Asa you are referring to is ‘Fire on the Mountain’
I know quite a few female artists. We struggle to be heard but most of the time, people do not like originality. They prefer counterfeits or similar. I myself studied painting at UST and was a teaching assistant for a year. There were 2 others in my class one of whom I hear is still painting in Ghana – Betty Acquah. Adwoa Badoe who was in UST with me but studied medicine is now a brilliant writer and storyteller in Canada. I myself do not paint anymore but design fabrics and paper products. Alice Wilson of Nsona Beads takes bead making to a different level.
I remember Ama Ata Aidoo when she used be editor of the magazine “Obaa Sima” and run a children’s club called the “Kid’s Club”of which I was a member. I now have children who are about to have their own children and yet she still remains the one talked about? I realise that often, we do not make room for new talent except in the popular arts like music and fashion. I myself am usually frustrated when I tell people I’m a designer and they assume I’m talking about fashion.
There are lots of women out there as frustrated as myself and though we are trying to breakthrough, people (men) want us to sell out. I have lost count of the times when I have received unsolicited advise from well meaning people who have no idea of what it is to be an artist and think it’s all about mass profit!
Sorry but I do tend to get carried away when a subject strikes very close to home.
Thank you so much Awino Okech for sending this extremely useful list via email:
Malika Ndlovu – Poet, writer, performer – Cape Town – well published with a recent hall mark piece on still birth
Zanele Muholi – Photographer – South African
Wangeci Mutu – NYC based Kenyan visual artist
Mwenya Kabwe – Zambian performer, theatre director, lecturer UCT – Drama department
Berni Searle – award winning South African visual artist – showcased globally
The Mothertongue Project – a collective of women artists – Cape Town
Gabi Ngcobo – South African curator
Naima McClean – Poet, musician – South African/American
Ndoni Khanyile – poet, performer, filmmaker
Mbali Kgosidintsi – South African poet, performer
Nandipha Mntambo – Swazi visual artist
Judy Kibinge – Kenyan filmmaker
Bibi Bakare Yusuf – Cassava Press
The Africa Centre – is a also a good place to look and/or contact – they hold the annual Pan African Space Station, a poetry festival as well as actively support what they call “infecting the city” innovative performances in spaces outside the stage
Pumla Dineo Gqola – Scholar and literary analyst
Pan African:
Stacey Ann Chin – Jamaican/American
D’bi Young – Canadian/Black
Artists such as:
Simphiwe Dana
Zamajobe
Thandiswa Mazwai
Sara Mitaru
Suzanna Owiyo
Judith Sephuma
Sibongile Khumalo
The late Busi Mhlongo
The late Makeba
are just the many who we could add to the musicians list alone …
Pan African:
D’bi Young – Canadian based poet
Stacey Ann Chin – Jamaican/American poet and performer
My two cents is that the spaces in which radical artistic work occurs are not the spaces “we” inhabit – those involved in “mainstream development”. Yet the discourses that emerge from these spaces are extremely powerful and visceral. I am certain from some of them we would be able to generate a diverse African list.
There is also an analysis worth making about countries such as South Africa that are invest greatly in the arts … from government funds, festivals to private foundations
Great article Nana.
I think Grammy award winning singer Angelique Kidjo can also be added to your impressive list. She is a human rights activists through her artistic capacity and current UNICEF goodwill ambassador. I feel her music inspires and shines light to the challenges and triumphs of African woman and girls.
I’ll be sure to comment if more comes to mind 🙂
this is nice
Dear Nana
This is a subject very close to my heart. I myself am a Ghanaian artist with an academic background in human rights, social anthropology, gender and international development. Since 2009, I have been working with women artists and NGOs using art as a tool to raise awareness on social and human rights issues. Incidentally in 2009, I approached Mrs Ademola at the Loom Gallery to discuss possibly joining forces to have a women’s exhibition in Ghana but due to lack of funding that has not yet materialised. As you know, I am currently working with Art Works for Change which specifically champions female artists and has been involved with renown African artists most recently in the Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women & Art Exhibition which has just toured to Dakar. Among the African artists who participated were: Wangechi Mutu – Kenya, Khadijatou Sow – Senegal, Fatou Kande Senghor – Senegal, Amal Kenawy – Egypt. Others such as Unoma Giese – Nigeria, Amarachi Okafor – Nigeria, Ndide Dike – Nigeria, PJ Casely Hayford – Ghana and Eva Campbell – Ghana / USA are all interested in taking part in the exhibition, funding permitting, once it begins touring in Africa again. So you can see, we are out there, as passionate as ever, trying to create opportunities to showcase our work and raise awareness on issues of importance to us and our communities. All we need is a litle bit of support – lets all join forces and make it happen…
hello,
below are names of Ugandan female writers.
Jackee Budesta Batanda, she won the 2003 Africa Region BBc short story competition.
Mildred Barya, has 3 poetry publications to her name.
Monica Arac de Nyeko, winner of the 2007 Caine prize for African writing.
Beatrice Lamwaka, shortlisted for the 2011 Caine Prize for African writing.
Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, published poet and founder of the first ever nanual poetry award for women, also published in the recent Extraordinary Significant Women of Uganda book for her role as a poet in Uganda.
Goretti Kyomuhendo Byaruhanga, first coordinator of Uganda Women Writers’ Association (FEMRITE) and founder of African Writers’ Trust.
Dr. Susan Kiguli, published Ugandan poet for her award-winning publication, The African Saga
Wow. I am overjoyed and so grateful at all the names, references and African women artists that you have all contributed. Thank you so much! I feel strongly that we need to generate more support for African women artists who use their art for social justice.
Greetings-
I am interested in letting African Women know about SPIN. Silk Painters International. This is an organization based in the U.S. They have a page on FaceBook also. There is a wonderful conference coming up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This group meets every other year. Women from every continent are represented except Africa. This much change.
Silk Painting is a beautiful art that goes beyond scarfs, fashions and fine paintings.
I have been painting for about 23 years.
Keep well, Tommi Childs
Neo Ntsoma – multi award winning South African photographer.
DO YOU CONSIDER BEAD DESIGNERS AS PARTNERS? I AM ONE AND THOUGH NOT TOO KNOWN I THINK AND HOPE I WILL BE BIG SOON.
Ndidi Dike
Fatima Tuggar
Marcia Kure
Nnenna Okore
Njideka Akunyili
Toyin Odutola