Profile: Samuel Akainyah

SAMUEL AKAINYAH - AIMING HIGH

CHICAGO:- Innovativeness is not new to Samuel Akainyah. A first generation Ghanaian in Chicago who has proven that America is indeed a land where anything is possible, Akainyah, through his paintings has established himself as a journeyman who will remain as one of Africa’s true trailblazers in the US. His brother, Sir Lawrence Akainyah was a University of London graduate and was a Ghanaian legal giant and a former law professor. His mother, a superintendent of the Ghana Board of Education instilled in his son the value of education, an advice that young Akainyah would heed.

Akainyah attended the University of Science and Technology in Ghana after graduating from high school. While at the university, he studied fine art and art history. He would immigrate to Chicago shortly afterwards to pursue his passion at the School of Art Institute. Following his graduation, Akainyah studied diplomacy and international law at the University of Chicago’s graduate committee on international relations.

The year 1989 would be big in the life of Samuel Akainyah. In 1989, Akainyah established Akainyah Ltd., and established The Akainyah Gallery Museum in 1993. Located in the River North section of downtown Chicago, the gallery has been the venue for many social functions and fundraisers that has featured famous patrons including President-elect Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Samuel Jackson and Danny Glover among others. It was also in 1989 that Akainyah’s artistic talents would gain national exposure. His paintings were seen on the set of the NBC movie “The Father Clements Story.” It was the same year that an Akainyah fresco was sold at the highest bid during the legal defense fund’s celebrity auction held at Christie’s. He also developed “Dualism,” the epic art movement that embodies two images in one painting. During the 1996 Democratic Convention Akainyah collected an honor second to none. He received a distinguished reputation when he was selected as the official artist for the convention. Three years later, the Cook County Board of Commissioners proclaimed February 15, 1999 as the “Samuel Akainyah Day” in Chicago and Cook County.

A partial list of his collectors include Bryant Gumbel, Michael Jordan, Henry Louis Gates, Angela Bassett, Randall Robinson, Samuel L. Jackson, Diann Burns, Harry Porterfield, Cheryl Burton, Marion Brooks, Bill Kurtis and Robin Robinson. His corporate clients include All State Insurance, BP, McDonalds and Sears. Akainyah was also selected as the official artist for BMS North America’s Art of BMW 2002 campaign.

The ever-busy Akainyah is also a powerhouse in the speaking circuit. He has given speeches, lectured or has been the keynote speaker at the Northwestern University Kellogg Business School, the University of Chicago, Columbia University New York’s Business School, West Virginia University, Prairie State College, The Democratic National Convention where he opened the lecture with “Democracy as Prologue” and unveiled his painting for the convention at the Chicago Cultural Center. In addition, he has spoken at the University of Illinois, Christ Hospital, Kennedy King College where he was a professor of Art, Art History, Art Methods, Curatorialship, Painting and Visual Communications from 1997 – 1998. His speaking cred- its also include stints at the DuSable Museum in Chicago, the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida, British Petroleum, Kraft Foods, Quaker Oats, South Shore Cultural Center and Diversity Best Practices in Washington D.C.

His collection “Beyond Peace, Beyond Progress Towards Global Cooperation” is scheduled to visit over 5 countries and 15 museums worldwide including London, Brussels, Paris, Tokyo, Helsinki, Boston and Los Angeles. He is currently working on a 10’ x 12’ canvas titled “Requiem – From a grateful migrant to his wounded nation” in memory of the casualties of 911, and a second colossal work titled “Creation,” in memory of the late Pope John Paul II, which will be presented to the Vatican upon completion.

On December 10, Akainyah held yet another important event in his esteemed gallery. This would be the unveiling of his “Change, USA-Yes We Can” painting. This mural is dedicated to President-elect Obama. On hand for this exclusive event was state senator Jacqueline Collins who took the occasion to celebrate her 50th birthday. Among the patrons were many Chicago stalwarts who have exceptional bond with the artist. One of the highlights of the evening no doubt consisted of a display of the Northwestern University Choir - 30 members strong - that belted out an anthem specifically written for the occasion and composed by Akainyah who adds to his implausible repertoire an accomplished composer.

During his presentation of the painting, Akainyah, an expert wordsmith wasted no time in explaining his masterpiece to the patrons. Centered on Obama and his meteoric rise to prominence, the painting depicts thousands of people on hand to cherish the moment of his victory. Supporters carrying flags with the word change line up to listen to their idol whose image is silhouetted in the painting. The illustration of Obama is not easily discernable and has to be pointed out to most people. To signify change, an old bald eagle passes on an American flag to a young one marking the beginning of a new era. The images of the people in the painting consists of a diverse crowd including students, firemen, old and young and well wishers from all aspects of life implying the impact that Obama has on the populace.

To Samuel Akainyah, making history has been a specialty for his siblings including SIR LAWRENCE AKAINYAH ESQ, a former law professor and a recipient of a VATICAN KNIGHTHOOD-bestowed on him by the late Pontiff Pope John Paul for his contributions to the Catholic Church and the Holy See.

ERNEST KOFI AKAINYAH ESQ was the first African to have graduated with (both) the LLB and LLM with HONORS from CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY in ENGLAND. He is a senior legal counsel for the embattled Liberian President Charles Taylor at the INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE at THE HAGUE.

DR. CLARA AKAINYAH-TENKORANG is the first African female to receive a PHD in FRENCH PHILOSOPHY and LINGUISTICS from the French University of the SORBONNE-recently a retired professor.

NATHANIEL AKAINYAH is an Investment Banker with a specialty in AGRICULTURAL & DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS and was formerly the V.P. and Senior Risk Advisor for the NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK GHANA.

DR. LILLIANE AKAINYAH-BOURQUAYE, an anesthesiologist and a professor of Medicine of the University of Texas Medical School. Last but not the least is EMMA AKAINYAH-AMAKYE Esq., a distinguished lawyer and legal counsel to the BRITISH CONSULATE in Ghana.

Akainyah is married to his lovely wife Kim and they have three children.