Ablade Glover; Ghanaian 1934-; People Scene B12/14 ,2014
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Notes : Named by Bonham's London as one of the founding fathers of modern African art, this year, 2024, marks Ablade Glover's ninth decade, out of which he has spent seven as an artist. Glover's People series delves into the profound concept of the power of the people. Who are the people, the faceless masses, the people without power? Ghana was the first country in Africa to gain independence from Europe in 1957. The first democratic president Dr. Nkrumah selected young artisans to study in Europe and America through bursaries and then return to Ghana and pass on their trade through an apprenticeship program. Glover was personally selected by the newly elected Dr Nkrumah to study textiles, whose influences can still be seen in his work today. The world looked upon Ghana as the shining example of the continent's first democratically elected government. Sadly Dr Nkrumah's grip on power turned toxic, leading to his authoritarian rule and subsequent ousting. Glover's People Scene B12/14 explores how the power lies in the people in electing the elected official, but often once the official is elected, the people become powerless hence the faceless masses. Through his art, Glover raises important questions about the role of the people in shaping their destinies and the potential for power to become concentrated and disconnected from those it is meant to serve. This lot has been selected by Curatorial Voice: Ugoma Ebilah.
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