From Ghana to Dubai: Yaw Owusu’s Sculptural Symphony

Yaw Owusu, a Ghanaian artist, has brought his distinct vision to the Middle East, with some of his most recent pieces appearing at Efie Gallery. The artist’s first solo exhibition in Dubai, curated by London-based art advisor and curator Kami Gahiga in 2022, has ten new pieces exhibiting Owusu’s unrivaled creativity. His artistic talent reveals how resources from all around the world are collected, changed into currency, and made available to a global audience. This accessibility has also been shown in other entertainment sectors that were unusually hard to get into in certain jurisdictions, like online casino sites in the Arab Gulf countries. Yaw Owusu’s imaginative creations not only demonstrate his global vision but also reflect a broader trend toward inclusivity.

Analyzing the Exquisite Work of Art

At first glance, one may think Owusu’s work is simply a collection of gleaming metal strips stitched together to create house decor. A diligent examination of the work of art, on the other hand, unearths the artistic genius hidden in the more than valuable piece of art.

“In the Cool of the Day,” exhibits the artist’s unusual ability to transform seemingly worthless things, such as US pennies, UAE fils, and Ghanaian pesewas, into a magnificent and significant masterpiece. “These works are an extension of my journey exploring ideas of value and ideas inherent in the type of material used,” explains Owusu. “Even from my studio in New York, when you look out at the beautiful sky, you start seeing these fabrications of steel, which means a new building is coming up.”

The artist intends to persuade spectators to rethink the materials used to generate the coins and the installations that create the fine art. “The demographics of neighborhoods and communities will change as a result of these new buildings. This type of rapid societal development or change has inspired me. I’m now using steel and copper to demonstrate how these basic materials are extracted and transformed into currency,” adds Owusu.

A Synthesis of Culture and Fine Art

A closer examination of Owusu’s artwork exposes the cultural features that make it the ideal piece for the Emirati exhibition. For years, the Ghanaian artist has been alternating between Accra and New York, with most of his works evoking the phenomena between the two contrasting places. His artwork resembles a jumble of gems but with a twist. They readily hypnotize viewers into understanding the artist’s intention.

In most cases, his objective is to delve into society’s political, social, and economic issues, particularly in the context of international trade and the post-coloniality. Owusu’s awareness of Emirati culture is of old trade routesery display, which includes coins from the UAE, among other things. The coins allude to the impact of ancient trade routes on modern interactions and commercial activity. The exhibition is informed and influenced by his time spent with renowned Emirati artists such as sculptor Dr Mohamed Yousif, as well as his visits to local cultural institutions such as The Africa Institute and Mid East Art, Sharjah Art Museum, and Etihad Museum.

Wrap-up

Owusu’s “In the Cool of the Day” exhibition at Dubai’s Efie Gallery is not only a gorgeous work of art but also a demonstration of communicating essence. The artwork broadens his horizons and sources of inspiration to the Middle East, assisting in the communication of information that is important to the societies involved and the global world as a whole.