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The Artists

 

The demand for flags, which become an important phenomenon in the first half of the 20th century, (decreasing progressively in the following decades), lead to the development of different artistic schools. These are principally located in the centers of Saltpond, Kromantse, Anomabo, Denkyra and Shama. The competition and opposition between the various companies contributed to refining production and incrementing volume. Thus favored, with the demand for new allegories, the creation of works of notable artistic value.

The major part of the flag makers lived and died without asking to be considered artists but given their indispensable social role, they carried out their work with pride and passion and acquired respect and consideration within their own community.

Amongst these we are duty bound to mention: Kweku Kakanu, Nana Kwaw Kuta, Kobina Badowah, Kwamina Amoku, Baba Issah and Egya Kwaw Ano.

Even though many of the flags produced by these artists have been illustrated in international publications or displayed in thematic exhibitions and museums, it is rare that their talented creators are recognized or accredited their own, specific artistic work.

 

translated by Jon Roger Firman

 

 

Exposition

The exposition is not meant to be completely exhaustive on the various and extensive artistic production of Asafo flags, but it would like to illustrate some important and characteristic examples present in the Italian collections. Furthermore, the selection tries to provide an overview of the artistic evolution of  the Asafo Flags with examples made before and after the WWII and after the independence of Ghana (1957).

 

           

 

           

 

           

 

           

 

           

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Acquah G.A. – 1957 – The Fante of Ghana;

Adler and Barnard – 1992 – Asafo;

African Art at the art Institute of Chicago vol.23 n. 2 - 1997

Aggrey, J.E.K. – 1978 – Asafo;

Alexander, J.E. – 1837, Vol. I – Narrative of a Voyage of Observation among the Colonies of Western Africa;

Amoako/Fosu – 1999 – Festivals in Ghana;

Anquandah, K. – 1999 - Castles and Forts of Ghana;

Astley – 1745 – Voyages and Travels Vol. II;

Bowdich, Thomas Edward – 1819 – Mission from Cape Coast to  Asantee;

Brackenbury, Capt. H. – Huyshe, Capt. – 1873 – Fanti and Ashanti;

Buah, F.K. – 1998 – A History of Ghana;

Christensen, James Boyd – 1958 – The role of Proverbs in Fante Culture;

Clarke, Dunkan –  2002 - African Textiles;

Cruickshank, Brodie – 1853 – Eighteen Years on the Gold Coast of Africa (reprinted 1966);

Dapper, Museum – 2003 – Ghana, Yesterday and Today;

Dupuis, Joseph – 1824 – Journal of Residence in Ashantee;

Foulkes, Arthur - 1904 – The company system in Cape Coast Castles;

Garrard, T. – 1972/73 – Studies in Akan Goldweights 1,2,3,4;

Guse – 1995 - Asafo Fahnen aus Ghana;

Hutton, William – 1820 – Voyage to Africa;

M’Leod, John – 1820 – A Voyage to Africa;

McLeod, M.D. – 1981 – The Asante;

Okyere, V. – 2000 – Ghana a Historical Survey;

Picton, John – 1995 – The Art of African Textiles;

Rattray, Capt. R.S. – 1927 – Religion and Art in Ashanti;

Reindorf, C.J. - 1895 - History of Gold Coast and Asante;

Ross and Cole – 1977 - Arts of Ghana;

Ross, Doran– 1979 – Fighting With Art;

Ross and Garrard – 1983 – Akan Trasformations Problems in Ghananian History;

Ross, Doran – 1980 – Cement Lions and Cloth Elephants: Popular Art of The Fante Asafo;

Skertchly, J.A. -1874 - Dahomey as it is;

Stepan, Peter – 2001 – Africa – Prestel;

St.Clair, William – 2006 – The Grand Slave Emporium;

Sotheby’s catalogue – part 1, June 2006 London– sales of textiles from the Alistair Mcalpine Collection;

Sotheby’s catalogue – part 2, May 2007 London– sales of textiles from Alistair Mcalpine Collection;

Tosi, Marco - 1981 - I nuovi quaderni dell’ antiquariato.

 

African Arts Magazine – AFRICAN STUDIES CENTRE – UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)

African Arts – Winter 2002;

African Arts – Autumn 2003;

African Arts – November 1982;

African Arts- November 1979;

African Arts – October 1977;

African Arts – Spring 1975;

African Arts – October 1992;

African Arts – February 1980 – Monni Adams – Fon Appliqued Cloths

 

  
 

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