FEATURED ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Featured Artist Kofi Agorsor(Ghana)

Kofi Agorsor completed Ankle College of Art in Accra in 1989. This is after few year stint studying architecture. He was born in the Volta region of Ghana. Agorsor works predominantly in painting, Sculpture and Music.

In his paintings, Agorsor uses pulsating colors that become an interpretation of the essence of lived experiences of modern Africa. His subject matter borders on the generic but rendered often in a buoyant, semi-abstract and witty manner. His canvases may be sparsely populated; often with a solitary figure in a sensuous pose, two lovers enjoying the presence of each other or they may be very populated, inhabited by crowds of market women or glitterati at events. Some of the canvases may be encumbered with splashes, drips and flows of paint that intertwine to become forests or mazes of enchantment. His sculptures are an embodiment of spontaneous orderliness.

Agorsor is also a musician and a member of the Afro-world band called “AGORSOR. An engagement with his musical work, just like his art work, is very rewarding. It often reflects the energetic subtleties of the collective of musicians he has worked with over time. Recently he has been spending a lot of time in the recording studio with his band.  Inspired by both the natural and supernatural worlds, Agorsor’s art and music inspires publics greatly.

Kofi Agorsor (Artist’s Statement)

I waged war into the spiritual kingdom. On my return, I became positively sound, and sleepy. The most interesting part of it was that it lasted only 17 minutes. On the soil of Ghana, I had a dream. When I woke up, I found myself permanently in Gagahuli, Ouida, in the Republic of Benin.

This is how art is for me. It is a constant battle between the material and the spiritual. To be an artist doesn’t just mean painting, playing music, sculpting or even acting, it also means opening up to such ideas as preserving and developing one’s spiritual cultural heritage into Science and Technology.

My work is generally about love and affection; about simple everyday situations like relationships, music, religion and being at peace with one’s self and the world at large. Some people have said that my work has characteristics that can be likened to a European or American’s interpretation of African life. Some would say it is the work of an African, interpreting the contemporary concerns of my age. Yet others will also say my work is universal. I feel very universal. 

I am always happy as an artist. Art makes me see both in the physical and the spiritual.
The purpose of art then is about brightening the corner where you are. The purpose of art is to be sound in mind, body and soul. It’s not about what others are doing or what someone decided.  Art does not depend on someone prescribing a mainstream system. Art is freedom.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1990 –  “OURA” NOVOTEL HOTEL, ACCRA – GHANA

1993 – NOVOTEL HOTEL, ACCRA-GHANA

1993 – SIGNATURE GALLERY, ABUJA-NIGERIA

1996 – GATOBAR, LOME -TOGO

1997 – SIGNATURE GALLERY, LAGOS – NIGERIA

1998 – MANY MOUTHS TO FEED, ALLIANCE FRANCAIS, ACCRA – GHANA

2000 – THE AGORSOR: THE PAINTER – PLAYER – GOLDEN TULIP – GHANA

2003 – TOTAL FINA ELF NIAMEY AND CCFN, NIAMEY – NIGER

2004 – FIMA NIAMEY CCFN, NIAMEY- NIGER
2004 – THE BISCUIT FACTORY, NEWCASTLE – UK

2004 – AGORSOR THE PAINTER PLAYER, GOLDEN   TULIP HOTEL, ACCRA – GHANA

2005 – ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE, ACCRA -GHANA

2005 – AGORSOR – HOTEL BERCHTOLD, BURGDORF – SWITZERLAND

2008 – MY MOTHER, NOVOTEL HOTEL, COTONOU- BENIN 

2010 – AGORSOR  IN  LUSAKA, ALLIANCE  FRANCAISE, ZAMBIA 

2011 – “TOTOBIETO” (INTO THE DEPTHS OF LIGHTNESS,  DARKNESS  AND  THE  SPACES  IN – BETWEEN.)  ESSAY  BY  BERNARD AKOI-JACSON.  ACCRA, GHANA.

2013 – “ETERNAL FEELING” BAGINSKAYA GALLERY AND STUDIO. DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATE

2014  – “I SING INTO THE COSMOS” ART PLACE INTERPRED-WORLD TRADE CENTRE, SOFIA – BULGARIA

2014 – “COLOURS IN  WATER” AN EXHIBITION OF WATER COLOURS,

  SOFIA – BULGARIA.

2015 – “THIS IS LOVE” BAGINSKAYA GALLERY AND STUDIO, DUBAI – UNITED ARAB EMIRATE

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1990 – INNER EXPRESSIONS, GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL, GHANA
1995 – OF MINES AND MEN ,NATIONAL THEATRE , GHANA
1996 – AGORSOR AND TULLY, ALLIANCE FRANCES,  GHANA

1998 – ARTE FIERA, BOLOGNA – ITALY
1998 – GALERIE DAUPHIN, SINGAPORE
1999 – ART EXPO 98, LOS ANGELES – U.S.A.
2003 – BETTENDORFF’SCHE GALERIE, HEIDELBERG – GERMANY
2003 – FRESH ART SHOW, LONDON- UK
2004 – BLACK  HISTORY  MONTH, ALLIANCE  FRANCAIS, GHANA
2004 – CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS,  REGUS BUILDING, CHIPSWICK, LONDON – UK
2004 – CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS,  BUSINESS PARK, LONDON – UK
2005 – CONTEMPORARY COLOURS II, FITZROY SQUARE – LONDON
2006 – WOHN-ART INGOLD, ROHRBACH -SWITZERLAND
2006 – DIVERSE  COLOUR  I,  MAYFAIR  ZIZI GALLERY, SHEPHARD MARKET, LONDON – UK
2006 – SLIDES OF COLOURS, OSO  ARTS CENTER, BARNES LONDON – UK
2006 – DIVERSE  COLOURS  II, FITZROY SQUARE, LONDON – UK

2007 –  FIRST INTERNATIONAL ORIGINAL CONTEMPORARY  ART  EXHIBITION  AND  LIFE  AUCTION, GENEVA – SWITZERLAND

2007 – CONCENTRATION, NOVOTEL  HOTEL, ACCRA -GHANA

2007 – CONCENTRATION, GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL, ACCRA -GHANA

2007 – ANANSI MASTERS,TROPEN MUSEUM  – HOLLAND 

2007 – RHYTHMS OF LIFE,  OSO  ARTS CENTER, BARNES, LONDON – UK
2007-2008 TRAVEL TO THE AFRICAN MUSUEM, BERGENDAL – NETHERLANDS

2008 – 2009 AFRICA/NOW: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM  AFRICA – NORWAY
2009 – AFRICA/NOW: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM  AFRICA, TAMPARE MUSEUM – FINLAND

2009 – AFRICA/NOW:  CONTEMPORARY ART FROM  AFRICA,  COPENHAGEN – DENMARK
2009 – ART IN THE GARDEN WITH FRED SPINNLER (CATALOGUE LAUNCH) SWITZERLAND EMBASSY – GHANA

2009 – WORLD CLASS CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS, THE HAYLOFT COURTYARDS, 3 BOND STREET,     CHIPSWICK, LONDON- UK

2009 – RENDEZVOUS  EXHIBITION  AND  ARTISTS  MEET , NUBUKE  FOUNDATION, GHANA.

2010 – FIFA FINEART, SOUTH AFRICA
2010 – WORLD CLASS CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS, THE AFRICA CENTER, LONDON – UK
2010 – PAUSE THE PULSE: PORTRAIT OF ACCRA, ACC GALERIE, WEIMAR – GERMANY
2010 – PAUSE THE PULSE-THE PORTRAIT OF ACCRA, ACC GALERIE, WEIMAR – GERMANY
2011 – 3+3. 3 ARTISTS FROM DENMARK, 3 ARTISTS FROM GHANA, GALLERY GOFS – DENMARK

2011 – “MUNYU”  MATTERS  ARISING .ESSAY  BY  BERNARD  AKOI-JACKSON.  ACCRA  GHANA

2012 – ACROSS  THE  VOLTA  TO  THE  NIGER.  ACCRA  GHANA

2012 – PEACE  SPLASH  “THE  ARTIST  VOICE  FOR  THE  PEACE  OF  MOTHER   GHANA” .  ACCRA  GHANA

2012 – GALLERIE  BENEDICT  “KUNSTREFF  SONNENFELSGASSE  ” VIENNA – AUSTRIA  

2013 – GHANA CONTEMPORARY   “ KALEIDOSCOPE”  ACCRA – GHANA

2013 – CELEBRATING ACCRA  AND  TWENTY  YEARS OF THE ARTIST ALLIANCE,  ACCRA – GHANA

2013 – OREZE  (THE KING’S CROWD)  ONITSHA – NIGERIA

2013 – “SPORT LIGHTING ARTIST OF THE ALLIANCE” THE ARTIST ALLIANCE GALLERY, ACCRA-GHANA.

2014 – GALERIE GOFS “Mød verden på Gofs” –  DENMARK

2015 –  GALERIE MY TRUNK  Dansk fjernvarme Merkurvej , DENMARK
2015 –  “AFROFEST 2015”     SAINT PETERSBURG & MOSCOW RUSSIA.

2015 – GALERIE MY TRUNK , Dupont Art association (Bio Science Company) Aarhus, DENMARK

2015 – GALERIE MY TRUNK ,,  Marel Art Association (Seafood Company) Aarhus N, DENMARK

2015 –  GALERIE MY TRUNK Godsbanen, Skovgaardsgade Aarhus C, DENMARK

2015 –  The State Library, GALERIE MY TRUNK, Victor Albecks Vej Århus C, DENMARK

2015  – The Church in Paarup Solgårdsvej 40, 5210Odense NV,GALERIE MY TRUNK, DENMARK

2015 –   Cowi Art Association (Economic Adwice Center) GALERIE MY TRUNK,Jens Chr. Skous Vej 9, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

2015  –  GALERIE MY TRUNK, ANA Art association (The University in Aarhus) Aarhus C, DENMARK

2016  – GALERIE MY TRUNK, The City Hall in Vejen -Rådhuspassagen 3. 6600 Vejen, DENMARK

2016  – GALERIE MY TRUNK, Kolding Hospital – Skovvangen 2-8, 6000 Kolding, DENMARK
2016  – GALERIE MY TRUNK, SPX Flow Technology – Pasteursvej 1 8600 Silkeborg,DENMARK

2016 – Tetra Pak (company) -GALERIE MY TRUNK – Søren Nymarks Vej 13 .8270 Højbjerg,DENMARK
2016  –
High School in Egmont –GALERIE MY TRUNK – Villavej 25, Hov -8300 Odder,DENMARK2016 –  Ministry of Environment,GALERIE MY TRUNK Strandgade 29, 1401 Copenhagen, DENMARK2016  – Art Society in Hammel – The Culturehouse:GALERIE MY TRUNK,  InSide, Dalvej 1, 8450 Hammel, Denmark.
2016
  –   “Music and African Paints” Sheremetev’s Palace  Museum of Music  Fontanka Staint. Petersburg,    Russia.
2016  – “Bright colours of Africa”, Trade Fair Center –Kosmonavtov Highway, Perm city ,Russia.
2016  – 
GALERIE MY TRUNK, The City Hall in Silkeborg – 8600 Silkeborg,DENMARK2016  – GALERIE MY TRUNK Landowners’ Investment Company (GI) – Ny Kongensgade 15, 1472 Copenhagen K, DENMARK2016  – GALERIE MY TRUNK -3F -Denmark’s largest trade union – Kampmannsgade 4 1790, Gallery My Trunk, Copenhagen V, DENMARK
2016 –
GALERIE MY TRUNK -Expedit, Toftegaardsvej 4 ,8370 Gallery My Trunk- Hadsten, DENMARK
2016 –
GALERIE MY TRUNK, Telia ( Headquarter of the phone company), Holmbladsgade 139 2300-  Copenhagen, DENMARK
2016 –
Deliotte (Investment company) – Weidekamsgade 62300 GALERIE MY TRUNK – Copenhagen, DENMARK

2016 – GALERIE MY TRUNK, Horsens Cityhall, 8700 Horsens, Denmark

2016 – GALERIE MY TRUNK, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense, Denmark

2016 – GALERIE MY TRUNK, Vejle Hospital, 7100 Vejle, Denmark

2016 – GALERIE MY TRUNK, NEA Energy, Skelagervej 1, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark

2016 – Cowi Odense, Ingeneering Company, GALERIE MY TRUNK,  5000 Odense C, Denmark

2016 -Holstebro Hospital, GALERIE MY TRUNK,  Hospitalsenhed Vest Lægårdvej 12, 7500 Holstebro, Denmark

2016 – Codan Aarhus, Insurance Company, GALERIE MY TRUNK,  8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

2016 – Vejle Cityhall, GALERIE MY TRUNK, 7100 Vejle, Denmark

2016 – Farsoe Hospital, GALERIE MY TRUNK, 9640 Farsø,  Denmark

2016     “Music and African Paints” Sheremetev’s Palace  Museum of Music  Fontanka Staint. Petersburg,    Russia.

2016 – GALERIE MY TRUNK ,Expedit, Toftegaardsvej 4 ,8370 Hadsten, Denmark

2016 – 3F -Denmark’s largest trade union, GALERIE MY TRUNK – Kampmannsgade 4 1790 Copenhagen V, Denmark

2016 -Landowners’ Investment Company (GI) GALERIE MY TRUNK – Ny Kongensgade 15, 1472 Copenhagen K, Denmark

2016 –  GALERIE MY TRUNK ,Unilab, Nygårdsvej 32 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

2016 – Semco Maritime, International Communication Company, GALERIE MY TRUNK ,6700 Esbjerg, Denmark

2016 – FTF, Danish Union, GALERIE MY TRUNK Niels Hemmingsens Gade 12, 1010 Copenhagen, Denmark
2016 :  “Africa-Peter Festival”: “Bright colours of Africa”, , the international exhibition of fine art “ART-PERM”, Perm city, Russia (Diploma).
2016 – “Bright colours of Africa”, Trade Fair Center – Kosmonavtov Highway, Perm city ,Russia.
2016 – NEW THREADS, SMO CONTEMPORARY ART, LAGOS – NIGERIA.
2017 – GATINGO ART Festival: “EDIKANFO”,  Theater named after Raikina, CDC Moscow, St. Petersburg, Russia
2017 – “EDIKANFO”, the international exhibition of fine art “ART-RUSSIA”, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (Diploma).
2018 – “A F R I C A”, Gatingo Art Gallery and Gorartist Gallery , St. Petersburg, Russia

2018 – 26th International Festival of Arts “MASTER CLASS”, St. Petersburg, Russia (catalog pages 176-177)
2018  .. Shika Shika Art fair/chale Wote Festival, Accra – Ghana.
2019 – “A F R I C A. GATINGO ART”, Russia-Africa Summit, Sochi, Zimniy Theater, Russia
2019  – Shika Shika Art fair/chale Wote Festival, Accra – Ghana.
2020 –  “GATINGO ART. From the ARCTIC to AFRICA”, the international exhibition of fine art “Poneaili”, CEC Expoforum, St. Petersburg (Diploma)
2020 – “GATINGO ART. A F R I C A”, State Academic Capella, St. Petersburg, Russia (Diploma)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • SPINNLER, F. AND ADEYEMI E., 1995 – 2005. ZEITGENOSSISCHE KUNST –NIGERIA & GHANA / CONTEMPORARY ART IN NIGERIA & GHANA, FRIEDRICH  REINHARDT  VERLAG, SWITZERLAND. (pp. 256- 260.)
  •  1998 ARTISTI  CONTEMPORANEI DEL  GHANA –PITTURA , SCULTURA, CERAMICA(CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS FROM GHANA –PAINTING, SCULPTURE, CERAMICS), ARTE FIERA  PAD.32B4, BOLOGNA ,ITALY .(EXHIBITION CATALOGUE,p.10)
  • HERE AND NOW- NIGERIAN  ART  MEETS GHANAIAN  ART, ESSAYS  BY OLUWATOSIN ONILE-ERE ROTIMI AND WEMEGA-KWAWU, R.,  IROKO ART CONSULTANTS LTD., NIGERIA, 2010 .(EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE ,p2)
  • AFRICA /NOW : CONTEMPORARY  ART  FROM  AFRICA  2008 – 2009.TINE THORUP ART, DENMARK. (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE, pp. 26-27).
  • ARTHOUSE  CONTEMPORARY  LIMITED, MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY ART, ART LAGOS, NIGERIA, 2010. ESSAYS BY JEGEDE, B. AND OKEKE-AGULU, C. (AUCTION CATALOGUE, p.53)
  • ART HOUSE  CONTEMPORARY  LIMITED. MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, LAGOS, NIGERIA,2010. ESSAYS BY CHIKA OKEKE, A. AND NICODEMOS, E.  (AUCTION CATALOGUE, p. 9)

MODERN

  • ”TOTOBIETO” (INTO THE DEPTHS OF LIGHTNESS,  DARKNESS  AND  THE  SPACES  IN- BETWEEN.)  ESSAY  BY  BERNARD AKOI-JACSON.  ACCRA, GHANA. 2011. (EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE)
   
  • ARTHOUSE   CONTEMPORARY LTD. MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY     

           ART.LAGOS, NIGERIA.2011.( AUCTION  CATALOGUE,p26,,,,BACK COVER  LOT# 28) 

  • “MUNYU”  MATTERS  ARISING .ESSAY  BY  BERNARD  AKOI-JACKSON.  ACCRA  GHANA , 2011

              .(EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE,P7)

  •  BONHAMS/AFRICA   NOW , LONDON    2012.( AUCTION     CATALOGUE,P88 ,,,,LOT # 183)

             ARTHOUSE   CONTEMPORARY   LTD. MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY     

             ART. LAGOS, NIGERIA, 2012. ( AUCTION  CATALOGUE,p101 )

  •  ACROSS  THE  VOLTA  TO  THE  NIGER.  ACCRA  GHANA ,2012.  ( EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE, P 6-9)
  •  PEACE  SPLASH  “THE  ARTIST  VOICE  FOR  THE  PEACE  OF  MOTHER   GHANA” .  ACCRA  GHANA    2012.  (EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE ,  P 21)
    GHANA CONTEMPORARY  “ KALEIDOSCOPE”  ACCRA -GHANA,2013  ( EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE,P 41-  47)           
  •  “ORAKWUE”   LET  THE  WHOLE WORLD  TALK. LAGOS – NIGERIA , 2013. ( EXHIBITION  CATALOGUE,P  14)  
  • ARTHOUSE   CONTEMPORARY   LTD. MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY     

           ART. LAGOS, NIGERIA, 2013. ( AUCTION  CATALOGUE,p42–44 )

.         OREZE  (THE KING’S CROWD)  ONITSHA – NIGERIA,2013. (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE, p22)

.  “ETERNAL FEELING” BAGINSKAYA GALLERY AND STUDIO,  DUBAI – UNITED  ARAB  EMIRATES, 2013.         (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE)

  •  ARTHOUSE   CONTEMPORARY   LTD. MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY     

           ART. LAGOS, NIGERIA, 2014. (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE,p40)

“I SING INTO THE COSMOS” AN  EXHIBITION OF SCULPTURES AND PAINTINGS, ART PLACE INTERPRED-WORLD TRADE CENTRE,SOFIA – BULGARIA ,2014 “EXHIBITION CATALOGUE”

  •  ARTHOUSE   CONTEMPORARY   LTD. MODERN  AND  CONTEMPORARY     

           ART. LAGOS, NIGERIA, 2014. (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE,p109)

  • AN AFRICAN DECADE  ACCRA – GHANA, 2014.  (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE , pgs 15-18)
  • NEW THREADS, LAGOS – NIGERIA. CURATED BY SANDRA MBANEFO OBIAGO. 2016, (EXHIBITON CATALOGUE pg,, 24-31)
  • 2018 – 26th International Festival of Arts “MASTER CLASS”, St. Petersburg, Russia (catalog pages 176-177)