A Credit to African Comtemporary Art

Nana Dankwa?s Egg Seed of Life is 100 centimeters by 140 centimeters.? This magnificent work of oil paint on canvas was created in 1996 by the Kumasi, Ghana native.? ??????????? Egg Seed of Life is an abstract form of visual perception mixed in with several obvious, less abstract, elements.? There is a sense of three-dimensionality that jumps off of the canvas and into the onlooker?s eye.? From this we can see the painting opening to several layers of depth meant to create chaotic symbolism.? This also enables the artist to take the piece to another level by adding forms of perspective.? First, we see linear perspective when our initial thought is to look to the imaginary line drawn through artistic styling, falling into place at the artists? desired figure.?? In this case we are drawn to the homage of female fertility.? Another perspective that has caught my attention is a bit unconventional in its manner.? Dankwa uses a unique form of atmospheric perspective.? He creates an abstract atmosphere and radiates its? existence by fading it out with the magic of foreshortening.? It is truly genius to create something abstract then apply formal technique to accent the overall work! ??????????? Color is a major portion of Egg Seed of Life?s beauty.? The primary colors worked by Nana Dankwa are spectacular.? He has made his canvas electric through his use of yellow, red, and blue.? He creatively incorporates the color green which is initially thought of as the color of the earth.? Dankwa threw familiarity out the window by using green as his skyline.? Circles varying in size illuminate the canvas with their olive, lime, and guacamole tones.? Purple is portrayed in Dankwa?s painting as the color of the human figures.? Once again he has withdrawn from conformity.? The rest of the space is occupied by a magnificent yellow background and earth toned sculpture and abstraction.? The piece is textured and the tone is bright making it an intense eye-catching work of art.? ??????????? The work of art Dankwa has painted is illuminated by its? light source.? Many paintings have a light source that comes into view from left or right or from the top or bottom of the canvas.? Dankwa uses an inimitable ray of light by painting the whole backdrop of lemon yellow paint, hence the reason the work appears to glow. ?His technique enlightens the whole work by creating a foundation for light that is both colossal and symbolic.? ??????????? Egg Seed of Life is a rapid horizontal composition with continuous movement that flows across the canvas.? The oil painting actually seems to move about.? I say this because the environment he has created is so full of verve.? The atmospheric bubbles look as if they are changing shape while the flowers blow in the smoky wind.? I attribute this illusion of movement to the artists? talent.? ??????????? ??????????? Through studying this particular work and researching its? meaning I went directly to the source.? Cyberspace gave me the ability to locate and interact with the artist Nana Dankwa himself.? The one question that I had to have answered by him was what his intentions with the subject matter were.? He, having responded in such a prompt and passionate manner, led me to believe that he is a kind welcoming soul.? The sort of person you do not meet everyday.? ??????????? The subject matter is moving, making complete and total sense.? Dankwa expresses the emotions he felt when his first child was growing in its? womb.? This element can be seen on the left of the canvas with the beauty he renders that is woman.? He expressed to me ?as an artist I really become part of the fetus, a cosmic diversity.? This demonstrates his enthusiasm in his role of father on an individual plane as well as expressing his place in the world on a more abstract level.? Next he spoke of another monumental component incorporated in the work, a stool.? Dankwa informed me that within the African traditions gifts are symbolic commissions that hold deep meaning.? The stool, as a gift to his unborn child, is meant to represent several slogans including, stay and live with us and you are welcome.? Similar fundamentals that embrace the unborn child are textiles, poetry and ornaments all of which hold significant purpose and are boldly portrayed on his canvas.? ??????????? The oils are successful at revealing a larger picture when we first take notice of the majestic creature centralized upon the image, an elephant.? Dankwa informed me that elephants represent power and balance of character.? He also told me of his thoughts enlightening him to the parallels in nature between humans and animals.? The artist can see that there is a great power between the two and their collaborative energy with the cosmos.? Through understanding his environment, his place in life and traditional values he gives us a great beauty to view and ponder upon.? ??????????? To justly understand an artist you must understand who they are.? Nana Dankwa lives an electric life full of success and accomplishment.? He is highly educated with his beginnings at Ashanti Juaben Secondary School and Kumasi High School in Ghana, where he graduated in 1985.? While attending high school Nana engaged in private studies at the renowned University of Science and Technology also in Ghana.? Here he had unlimited experiences working with an assortment of mediums including theater and metal castings. Dankwa also attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Mechelen, Belgium in the late 80?s.? In addition to education Nana Dankwa incorporates myth heard in his youth by his great-grandmother into his art.? The list of exhibits he has been a part of is unfathomable. His work has traveled all over the world and back again.?? Currently he lives a traveled life basing himself in Antwerp but frequently visiting The Netherlands.? ??????????? Nana Dankwa is to be applauded for his contemporary flare that mixes with time-honored story and tradition.? His talents shine in both technique and symbolism.? I admire his work for these two important reasons.? First, I believe he is a true talent in the field of art.? His work shows the high level of technical aptitude that he is capable.? Secondly, he creates brilliance on canvas through his symbolism.? The messages he portrays are of significant value. Dankwa unites humanity through his heightened sense of man?s vulnerability to the world around him.
This paper was written by Jacklyn Difrangia on her master degree studies on African Comtemporary Art at Ohio State University, USA.