By John Owoo
(In Accra – Ghana)
Undeniably, the world is increasingly fractured by inequality and the harsh realities of the socio-economic problems – that engulfed world economies following the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic – alongside armed conflicts in various parts of the world.
Indeed, an exhibition of works by Germany-based Ghanaian artist Jeremiah Quarshie, which comprise symbolic yellow plastic containers that tend to confront this canker with unflinching clarity and poignant artistry, is currently underway at Gallery 1957 in Accra.
Through a diverse array of works, the show navigates the complex terrain of poverty, labor, class and survival, drawing attention to the invisible burdens borne by marginalized communities. Rather than offering easy answers, the exhibition urges viewers to pause, reflect and engage with the systemic forces that shape everyday life – inviting empathy while provoking critical dialogue.
Curated by Samuel Baah Kortey, Quarshie intertwines themes of unpredictability, memory, and power in a vibrant examination of Accra’s water crisis. The exhibition dilates on the persistent social and economic struggles in Ghana, reimagining them through an emotionally potent collection of works that provide a layered insight into the resilience of everyday Ghanaians.
With yellow plastic containers and subjects from all walks of life perching on them, his portraits are defined by the intersections of portraiture, studio photography, references to Old Masters’ traditions and a distinctive realism that challenges the very nature of imagery and picture-making.
In these new works, Quarshie revisits and deepens the themes explored in his 2016 exhibition at the same Gallery. Titled “Yellow is the Colour of Water” and curated by the American art historian Robin Riskin, it marked the debut of the now-iconic yellow gallons as a central motif in his practice.
Still captivated by their cultural symbolism, significance and the regal figures who once posed among the gallons like monarchs of their own domain, Quarshie’s latest pieces journey back to those formative moments – indeed they open up space for reflection, renewed encounters and deeper engagement.
He transformed the gallery into an immersive, participatory environment by inviting visitors into this dynamic interplay of game, chance and lived reality. Viewers are no longer mere spectators; they are drawn into a system where decisions must be made and outcomes remain uncertain.
Titled “Memories of Yellow: A Game of Power & Chance”, the exhibition ends on Saturday April 26, 2025.
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