On Sir John Akomfrah’s Process and Notable Works in the Last Decade

John Akomfrah, an Artist Who Brings Order to Chaos - The New York Times — Image courtesy of The New York Times

John Akomfrah (b. 1957) is a Ghanaian-British artist and filmmaker known for his installation artworks, which often incorporate elements such as video, sound, and text, to explore themes related to history, migration, memory, and identity. With his multichannel video installations, he critically explores the effects of colonialism, the Black diaspora, and environmental degradation through montage, archival materials, and documentaries. To create compelling, multi-layered narratives that contrast historical and personal memory, the past and present, and environmental and humanitarian crises, Akomfrah combines original footage with archival material.

Here are some of his notable works from the last decade:

The Unfinished Conversation (2012) – This installation is based on the life and work of Stuart Hall, a prominent cultural theorist and intellectual who was a key figure in the New Left movement. It combines archival footage with contemporary interviews to examine the ways in which personal and political histories intersect. This installation was exhibited at Tate Britain.

John Akomfrah. The Unfinished Conversation. 2012 | MoMA — Stills from The Unfinished Conversation
Image courtesy of MoMA

Purple (2013) – This film is a seven-channel installation that explores the impact of climate change on the Arctic and the ways in which it is changing the world. It is a multi-layered and immersive experience that explores themes of memory, history, and identity. The installation consists of seven screens arranged in a circular formation, with each screen showing a different video. The work also reflects on the experiences of people of African descent who have migrated to different parts of the world and the ways in which their identities have been shaped by their histories and cultures.

Vertigo Sea (2015) – This three-channel video installation explores the relationship between humans and the ocean, and how the ocean has been both a source of life and a site of tragedy throughout history. The installation consists of three screens arranged in a triangular formation, with each screen showing a different video. It is a multilayered and immersive experience that touches on themes such as exploration, colonization, and the exploitation of marine resources, as well as the sea’s role as a place of refuge and sanctuary for some, and a site of violence and trauma for others.

A view of “Vertigo Sea” (2015), one of four multichannel videos in the New Museum survey “John Akomfrah: Signs of Empire.” — A view of “Vertigo Sea” (2015), one of four multichannel videos in the New Museum
Image courtesy of The New York Times

Auto da Fé (2016) – This film was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival and explores the history of colonialism and its impact on contemporary society. Auto da Fé is a diptych that looks at migration through the lens of religious persecution and continues Akomfrah’s longstanding interest in the transmutations brought about by relocation. Presented as a lyrical period drama, the film lays bare colonial and post-colonial experiences through its documentation of eight historical migrations over the last 400 years.

His process involves extensive research and the gathering of a wide range of materials, including archival footage, photographs, and other visual media. He often works with a team of collaborators, including researchers, writers, and other filmmakers, to develop the concepts and themes of his projects. Once he has a clear idea of the direction he wants to take a project in, Akomfrah begins the process of editing and refining the material he has gathered. This can involve selecting and sequencing footage, adding voiceovers or other audio elements, and using special effects or other techniques to create a cohesive and immersive viewing experience.

Akomfrah’s films often have a strong political or social message, and he uses the medium of film to explore complex and nuanced issues in a way that is accessible and thought-provoking for a wide audience.

His works have been exhibited internationally in galleries and at film festivals such as the ICA Boston, the New Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Barbican Centre, and the Tate Britain, amongst others.

In 2017, Akomfrah was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to art and filmmaking. In January 2023, he was awarded a Knighthood (Knight Bachelor) for services to the Arts in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours.