Darkness in retrospect
An exhibition of artworks by Dr. Sela Adjei that tends to convey mystery, danger, introspection, despair, grief and hope through darkness are currently on show at the Nubuke Foundation in Accra.
Indeed, the gallery is inundated by imagery shaped from sculptural figurines ranging from “Baule” (La Côte d’Ivoire), “Senufo” (La Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso), adinkra symbols (Ghana), linguist staffs, forms of ancient obelisks and “Yeve” religious symbols from Ewe- speaking parts of West Africa.
Darkness has often been used to convey enigma, risk or introspection in artworks ranging from Gothic novels to Film Noir, which was in vogue in the 1940s. Undeniably, many cultures associate darkness with the underworld or the abode of spirits, such as Hades in Greek mythology or the Egyptian Duat while others link it with creatures of the night including vampires, witches and ghosts.
Titled “Children of the Universe”, the artist appears to be immersed in a long eclipse of total darkness – to him, it is no longer a fleeting period in his life but rather a time during which he confronts the bigger cosmos while commenting on cultures that associate darkness with death, doom and negativity.
Fuelled by the aesthetics of West African sculpture, Adjei delved into the pressing issues of power, extra-activism and ecological degradation while crafting works that call for deep reflection on the interdependence of humanity and nature.
With backgrounds in either black or white, Adjei employs the use of thick and thin textured lines that flow in diverse shapes as extremely exaggerated figures evoke empathy, pragmatism and a shared sense of responsibility.
He tackles tensions, social unrest, existential threats to our water bodies, soil poisoning and degradation as well as birth deformities from a place of darkness, whilst looking out to the calm that beckons and to the embryonic forms waiting to birth new life and hope.
Currently a lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (Institute of Film and Television) in Accra, Adjei is a multidisciplinary artist, researcher and curator with degrees in Communication Design and African Art / Culture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Kumasi) alongside a PhD in African Studies from the University of Ghana (Legon).
The exhibition ends on Saturday March 29, 2025.