Ghana is a treasure trove of vibrant arts and crafts, blending tradition and modernity in captivating ways. Contemporary art in Ghana has evolved over time due to urbanization, globalization, and the burning desire by artists to express themselves by evolving traditional artistic forms. From local galleries showcasing contemporary works to cultural hotspots preserving age-old crafts, Ghana’s art scene is as diverse as its people.
Map of Ghana Regions
The Historical Roots of Ghanaian Art
The history of arts and crafts in Ghana is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and social traditions. For centuries, Ghanaian artisans have used their skills to create items that are both functional and symbolic, from Kente cloth symbolizing unity and prestige to Adinkra symbols representing philosophical concepts. This rich heritage has become a major attraction for tourists and art lovers from around the globe.
Travelers are drawn to Ghana not only for its scenic beauty but also to explore its vibrant craft markets, galleries, and workshops where traditional techniques are preserved and celebrated.
Key Art Destinations in Ghana
Here are some of the key places where you can immerse yourself in Ghana's vibrant art scene:
Read also: Ghana's Art Scene
Accra
The Art Centre in Accra is a bustling marketplace where Ghanaian culture comes to life. Located near Independence Square, it’s a hub for traditional crafts, sculptures, kente cloth, and beads.
Nubuke Foundation
Located in East Legon, Nubuke Foundation is a Ghanaian contemporary art and cultural institution. As a beacon of contemporary art in Ghana, the Nubuke Foundation in Accra serves as a platform for both established and emerging artists. The Foundation serves as a nexus for preserving, recording, and promoting contemporary arts and culture. The foundation’s exhibitions, workshops, and events highlight the dynamism of Ghana’s creative sector. The Foundation has a wide range of programs supporting Ghana's arts, culture, and heritage and strives to support the practice of Ghanaian artists: young, mid, and late careers.
Gallery 1957
Located within the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Gallery 1957 is a premier destination for contemporary African art. Presenting a program of exhibitions, installations, and performances by the region's most significant artists, Gallery 1957 bridges the gap between local and international audiences. The gallery hosts exhibitions by some of the continent’s most talented artists, providing a global platform for their work. Located inside one of Ghana’s prestigious hotels, Kempinski, the gallery has a very welcoming atmosphere.
Artists Alliance Gallery
Perched along the coast in Accra, the Artists Alliance Gallery is a three-story space showcasing the best of Ghanaian and African art. From traditional artifacts to contemporary paintings, this gallery is a testament to the depth and diversity of the region's creativity.
Ano Institute of Arts and Knowledge
The Ano Institute of Arts and Knowledge in Accra is a cultural powerhouse that merges art with storytelling. This innovative space hosts exhibitions, workshops, and research projects, focusing on the intersections of history, identity, and creativity.
Read also: Art and Conservation at Hemingway Gallery
ADA Contemporary Art Gallery
The ADA Contemporary Art Gallery specializes in the work of emerging artists across Africa and its diaspora. The gallery is an open space for art fanatics and collectors. Paintings by Nigerian artist Deborah Segun are featured here.
National Museum of Ghana
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Accra, the Ghanaian capital, stands the National Museum of Ghana. The museum's grand edifice was unveiled to the world on March 5, 1957, as part of Ghana's independence celebrations. The Duchess of Kent, Princess Marina, had the honor of performing the official inauguration, with A.W. The National Museum of Ghana is a treasure trove of objects from diverse domains such as archaeology, ethnography, and fine art. The ethnography gallery hosts an array of captivating exhibits, including chief’s regalia, traditional Ghanaian musical instruments, gold weights, beads, textiles, stools, and pottery. Beyond the borders of Ghana, the museum also houses objects from other African countries, acquired through exchange. These include the Senfu masks from Ivory Coast, Zulu wooden figures and bead-ware from Southern Africa, ancient Ife bronze heads from Nigeria, and Bushongo carvings from the Congo. The art gallery, though compact, presents an impressive array of contemporary Ghanaian African paintings, rendered in oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, and collages. The National Museum of Ghana invites you to step into the vibrant narrative of African heritage.
Other Galleries in Accra
- Amba Gallery: A contemporary African art gallery designed to exhibit, promote, and educate diverse audiences about Africa’s art history.
- The Mix Design Hub: A cosmopolitan gathering place showcasing innovation through art, nestled in the trendy neighborhood of Osu.
- Berj Art Gallery: Home to some of Ghana's leading artists, showcasing their paintings, sculptures, and photographs in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Kumasi
Nestled in the heart of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, the Art Centre in Kumasi offers a unique glimpse into the region’s artistic traditions. Renowned for its intricate wood carvings, ceramics, and textiles, this center is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the roots of Ghanaian craftsmanship.
Bonwire
Bonwire is the birthplace of Kente, Ghana’s iconic woven fabric. Located in the Ashanti Region, this village is a testament to the skill and artistry of Kente weaving.
Tamale
Located in Tamale, the Red Clay Studio is an innovative space created by renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama. This art hub merges creativity with community development, featuring large-scale installations, educational programs, and unique architectural designs.
Read also: National Museums of African Art
A Visit to Bonwire Kente Weaving Center | How Kente is Made | Twi Edition
The Rise of Contemporary Art
Many of Ghana’s young artists found their voices in the years leading up to the Covid pandemic. Some used social media to amplify their work, defying traditional attitudes against art as a legitimate profession. A burgeoning upper-middle class emerged to appreciate local talent. New galleries abroad exhibiting Ghanaian works opened Western eyes to artists who’d been germinating for years. Then, in 2019, there came a boost in the form of the Year of Return, a government initiative aimed at encouraging the African diaspora to come to Ghana and helping to increase interest in local art.
Even before all that, in 2016, a Lebanese emigré called Marwan Zakhem started a mini-revolution with the opening of Gallery 1957, named for Ghana’s year of independence from Britain. In a city that had previously had no major art museums, Gallery 1957 became a beacon.
Changing the Narrative
Adora Mba, an African-art specialist who runs the ADA Contemporary Art Gallery, conceived the idea as a corrective in an industry where the “gatekeepers,” as she describes them, “tend to be Caucasian Westerners - people who don’t know my home discussing our narrative, our work. I wanted to be the person doing it authentically.” She sees her job as promoting and protecting young artists. In only three years, she’s witnessed a shift in what’s deemed ‘Black art’ from portraiture to more abstract, multifaceted work, and has seen the global gaze settle on Ghana. Suddenly, ADA Contemporary Art Gallery is a key stop on the international art trail.
“I’ve always had to travel to New York, Paris, London to see gallerists,” Adora says. “And for the first time, they’re coming here - major institutions, gallerists I look up to… we’re now a place people want to come to. It’s not considered strange.”
Art as a Reflection of Life
In a city burdened by the legacy of slavery, colonialism, dysfunction and poverty, art is a beautifully poignant way of learning about the struggle and the scars.The work by Accra’s newest art darling, Araba Opoku, is a case in point. When we meet at Artemartis, she tells me about the region’s ongoing water crisis, which at one point forced her family to live nocturnally, waking at midnight to collect water in buckets while the taps flowed. In a new abstract series, Araba used diluted acrylics to convey the physical and psychological toll of that time, “but also the joy and satisfaction in that struggle,” she says. “That [paradox] is a universal theme in art around the city.”
Contemporary Art and Tourism
Through the celebration of Ghanaian culture, history, and creativity, contemporary art serves as a bridge, connecting people from diverse backgrounds and fostering a deeper understanding of the country’s identity. As Ghana continues to position itself as a cultural hub in West Africa, the influence of contemporary art on its tourism sector is poised to expand further, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Tips for Exploring Accra's Art Scene
- The Pan African Heritage Museum is set to open later this year, featuring art, crafts, and artifacts from African civilizations.
- Visit the W.E.B. DuBois Centre for a crafts market run by women on the last Saturday of each month.
- Explore Makola Market, where traders are predominantly women.
Q&A: Supporting Women in the Arts
Carina Tenewaa Kanbi, co-founder of AYA Editions, shares insights on supporting women in the arts in Accra:
How are women in the arts being supported in Accra?
We’re seeing more spaces now where artists are nurtured, like the Nubuke Foundation, which showcases a lot of female artists. The online network Trybe Africa hosts a showcase of female talent the first Thursday of every month at Kukun, a cafe in Osu.
Where can visitors find female artists in Accra?
Female DJs often spin at Palm Moments, which also does a big Thursday-night party called Fake Fridays. Also Terra Alta, run by the artist Elisabeth Sutherland. The incredible Freedom Skatepark just signed an agreement with Spotify to create a practice studio for female DJs.
Where are the best craftswomen found?
For a range of fashion and souvenirs, check out the women-run crafts market held on the last Saturday of every month at the W.E.B. DuBois Centre (make sure to bring cash). And you can’t skip Makola Market, where the traders are predominantly women.
National Museum of Ghana
Popular articles:
tags: #Ghana
