Al Hassan Issah: Seduced by the Charms Of a Mistake

Nubuke Foundation presents a solo exhibition of works by Al Hassan Issah, an artist based in Kumasi, Ghana. The show titled, “Seduced by the Charms of A Mistake'' opens on Saturday, 18th December 2021 at 12:00 pm. Al Hassan Issah studied Painting at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Currently pursuing his MFA in Painting, this young artist’s practice extends through to sculpture, architecture, metalworking and others. Issah begins this exploration by investigating the application of paints in our surrounding material environment; the finishings of metal pots (that sit on top of makeshift kiosks), the looming gate grills, burglar bars and billboard signage that are found in our shared spaces. Forms and shapes inspired by intricate baroque swirls, adinkra symbolism, objects and colours pulled from surrounding informal and formal architecture become varied references across his welded constructions. Connecting the art of painting to this, the artist’s works provoke an environmental familiarity. Viewers across different walks of life may be reminded of objects which are commonplace in surrounding residential areas, migrant settlements, backstreets and business districts. Pulling inspiration from the oddities that form the material makeup of these places, Issah’s multimedia works push the boundaries and provoke his audience beyond what they imagine traditional paintings to be. During the opening, Al Hassan Issah will be in conversation with Kwabena Agyare Yeboah, in an Art Talk at 16:00. nubukefoundation.com