Kwame Photooo 2022

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Cornelius Annor's captivating painting, "Kwame Photooo," created in 2022. What are your first impressions, Editor? Editor: Well, my first thought is…film. It feels like a strangely formal home movie about to start. There’s a quiet energy here, like a moment suspended right before the camera rolls and everyone pretends they're not posing. Curator: Precisely! And let’s delve into how Annor achieves this effect using acrylic paint on canvas. It’s a relatively contemporary portrait, placing individuals within a constructed interior space. The figures, the textiles, even the treatment of light--it all contributes to a specific mood. It blends modernism, naive art, and elements reminiscent of street art graffiti in a very interesting way. Editor: The bold colours, like the vivid teal of the shirt, they practically vibrate. And that wallpaper! I love the way he throws off the constraints of realistic colour matching. It’s this joyous tension, you know? This portrait feels…true, yet completely imagined at the same time. I imagine it’s from memory. A photograph recalled and retold in paint. Curator: I see what you mean. Annor skillfully engages with representation, labour, and materiality here. We can consider, for instance, how the artist uses everyday material, like acrylics, to present high quality portraiture which plays off historical canon while incorporating popular street styles. Editor: Absolutely! It elevates an everyday scene into something iconic and incredibly evocative. Each person feels very specific, and yet they become archetypes, too. I like that friction a lot. Curator: The interaction with themes such as identity is unmistakable, particularly considering contemporary approaches to figuration and portraiture. We might even consider his stylistic and conceptual contributions. Editor: Yes. There is so much here: it really makes you think. You are also correct—identity IS the central thing it makes you question! Curator: Indeed. "Kwame Photooo" not only demonstrates Annor's technical prowess, it also invites viewers to contemplate themes of modern life. Editor: A vivid reflection of life through Annor's very unique artistic lens. It gets into your soul!