samuel akainyah - african artist
ronald.h.davis
in chicago) was a repeat showing originally aired during black history month
in which the hostess, funmi apantaku, interviewed african artist samuel
akainyah. mr. akainyah is an artist who has received national/international
attention. he displayed some of his work on the show, imho, he is REALLY
good, a significant comment from me since i don't normally go for the art
stuff. some of his works were also on display in the nbc tv movie "the
father clements story".
i might add (from my brief conversation with the guy) that he came across to
me as being really intelligent and knowledgable about his field - in fact, as
i recall, he was originally trained as a lawyer but blew it off to become an
artist (cool!). you may get a chance to see a suite of his works on display
in a year or so; he is currently working on set of paintings commemorating
the release of nelson mandela from prison which will, as i understand it, be
a part of a travelling exhibit at art galleries around the world although the
schedule has not been completed as yet.
mr. akainyah, who as i recall is a native of nigeria, depicts scenes from
african life in his works. many of his works are frescos so the texture
did not come across on tv (according to what he told me, this is a technique
that has been used for centuries in africa although i suppose michaelangelo's
"sistine chapel" is probably one of the more famous frescos around). while
watching "africans in america" i was impressed by his explanations of what
his paintings represented. as it turns out, he said that he thoroughly
researches his subjects before sitting down to paint, and this was evident
during the interview. he has a gallery in chicago and displays his works by
appointment only. as it turns out, and unfortunately for the art dilettante,
mr. akainyah does original art only and refrains from the commercial art
scene (which means that you won't see his stuff produced in volume - although
i suspect he would by highly marketable, but this is his decision). according
to what i have read, collecting art by black artists is becoming quite
fashionable: so if you are, or are aware of people who go for the art
gallery/art collection scene i would highly recommend him as being someone
to look into.
if you wish to speak with mr. akainyah his telephone number is:
samual akainyah: (312)769-4669 (chicago il, usa)
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while i'm gabbing about things african, and art i might add that at the
art institute in chicago is an exhibit called "the gold of africa: jewelry
and ornaments from ghana, the ivory coast, mali, and senegal." it will
be in town through august 25. i haven't been to it so i can't give you any
endorsments on it but if it's as good as the yoruba exhibit that they had
last year (to which i did go) then it will be quite interesting. for more
information you may call the art institute at (312)443-3600.
__ ______ __ / __/ |
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The right half of the brain controls the left half of the body.
This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.