Gideon Appah: A Visual Memoir
Surreal paintings exploring Ghanaian childhood, folklore, and architecture
Gideon Appah
Born in Ghana in 1987, Appah lives and works in Accra. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in 2012.
Memory in collage
Appah's artistic approach embodies surrealism, shaped by his 1990s upbringing in Ghana. He weaves together newspaper clippings, snippets of family photos, and posters, creating a tapestry of childhood memories.
A Placeholder (2017) by Gideon AppahOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation
Appah's color palette
Appah's choice of monochromatic colors—red, green, blue, and yellow—reflects his childhood experiences. Some refer to 'blue kiosks' as drinking joints because of the blue paint on their interiors and exteriors. Blue evokes coolness in a room.
Asubonten a3da y3n (The River That Divides in Two) (2017) by Gideon AppahOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation
A grandmother's legacy
In 2017, the Nubuke Foundation exhibited Gideon Appah's 'In Pokua's Place,' a tribute to his grandmother. The artwork honors her significant role in his life.
Appah's grandmother, a spiritual leader, played a central role in his childhood home. Many sought her prayers and guidance. Her passing 15 years ago left a lasting impact on his life and work.
Family Room (Abusua Asaso) (2017) by Gideon AppahOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation
Family life in paintings
Appah's family resided in a five-bedroom house shared by various family members, including grandad, grandma, aunts, uncles, children, and a domestic worker. Several paintings depict numerous people.
'My reason of using the charcoal was because when growing up, charcoal was everywhere. My grandma used to buy lots of it for the home and store them in the kitchen. Paper is mostly one of the first surfaces that a child learns to draw on.' - Gideon Appah, 2017.
'We had a small backyard garden. It had plantain, banana, pepper and others. I remember that there was an orange and pear trees and bleach berries in our next door neighbors house.' -Gideon Appah
Orange, Tree and Cat on fire (Akutu, dua ene okra a oda gyam) (2017) by Gideon AppahOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation
Appah's growing recognition
Captivating audiences near and far, the artist continues to create enthralling paintings that leaves an indelible mark on the art world. In 2016, he was shortlisted for the Kuenyehia Art Prize, and the Henrike Grohs Art Award in 2022.
Project manager: Kwabena Agyare Yeboah
Field assistant: Philip Soonti
Research, Text & Curatorial Support: Jemima Adansi and Abiodun Ayoola
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