W Ta Shi – We Have Taken Our Sit 2022

‘For me, archiving as an art form has the potential to open up discussions on lost and forgotten histories.’ ️ We all know that art can offer us a lens into the past – but whose past? We’re used to seeing portraits of the wealthy and famous, from monarchs to mythological characters. However, the Ghanian figurative painter Cornelius Annor (b. 1990) uses his art to shine a light on the often overlooked activities of everyday life. Born into a family of artists, Annor has exhibited his work across the world. His father, also named Cornelius, was a celebrated sculptor in Ghana – yet his work was never displayed elsewhere during his lifetime. What might this say about the changes that have occurred in the international art world over the last few decades? This work, painted by Annor in 2022, is titled ‘We Have Taken Our Sit’. It depicts four Ghanian women sitting on a porch, with a young boy who is dressed in vibrant colours. The tone is casual and intimate; it almost reminds me of a photograph that you might see in a family photo album. All of the women seem comfortable and unposed. The second woman has even kicked off her flip-flop! The women are dressed in exuberant prints which match their beaming smiles. This creates a joyful energy. Annor used acrylic paint as well as cutouts of fabric for this painting. The work is a diptych, meaning it consists of two separate pieces of canvas which form a pair. If you zoom in, you can just about see the dividing line in the centre of the frame. ‘We Have Taken Our Sit’ belongs to Annor’s series titled ‘Memories We Share’. This collection aims to capture both memorable and ordinary moments from day-to-day life. The painting represents a conventional family gathering, bringing together multiple generations. It’s a great example of how contemporary artists are using their practice to highlight less traditional subjects. 🖼️