Omenai Gallery inaugurates its hybrid, digital-physical model with a presentation of In-Between Ashes, a solo exhibition of Ghanaian artist Kwaku Owusu Achim’s works. It opens from 19th July to 23rd August 2024 at Omenai Gallery’s new space in Chicago West Town.
Existing between two planes, the spiritual and the physical, Owusu’s work goes beyond verbal and non-verbal communication to affirm the need for human connection, individualism, and community. Born in Accra Ghana, his surrealist works offer a glimpse into the unknown with mythical and human-like figures. In “In-Between The Ashes,” he explores the mind and body as constitutes of the physical and spiritual realm. His subjects are distinct in color and form with different figures having arms protruding from their heads.
He reaffirms the importance and tensions of the unseen, as the world becomes more globalized. Through sign language and gestures, he showcases the importance of individuality in communities. As the different subjects interact and communicate, they ultimately coexist in this ‘other world’ cemented by acceptance of individualism and respect for values within various communities. There is a sense of urgency in his work that emphasizes the need for Africans to be in a community with people with common interests. With each painting in this series, Kwasu explores the boundaries of human empathy by visually representing modes of verbal and non-verbal communication.
Founded in 2021, as a social media and digital editorial platform, its mission is to democratize global access to the contemporary African art market. OMENAI exists as a community-building space, providing transnational industry news and insights and carving its identity as an active support system for artists, galleries, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. Now launching its first physical gallery space in the city of Chicago, OMENAI is committed to forwarding its mission through thoughtful partnerships and collaborations and continues to serve as a nexus of activity across emerging market sectors with the upcoming launch of the OMENAI app.
The Omenai Gallery will host a collector’s preview on the 17th of July with a curated culinary experience with Alasé.
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