Ghana Is A Weird And Wonderful Place

On the last Amazing Race, the teams had to negotiate a very busy market in a crowded city in Ghana, West Africa. It was wild to see such a place as it exists day to day.

I have to admit that I also felt stress from watching the crowds of people packed into so tiny an area. However, this is the way bidness is done in Ghana.

Everybody who has something legitimate to sell gather in one spot. Over time that area became it's own neighborhood where people lived 24/7. Proof of that is found in the knot of wires and cables travel from one pole to another and cross over the main walkway if necessary. People need electricity in their homes. The whole place is one big fire hazard just waiting to happen.

There are trappings of the developed world mixed seamlessly with local Ghanaian traditions and practices. It is a barters market. The price on the signage found in this market can always be 'negotiated'.

Markola Market



Kumasi Market


This is another story that comes from Ghana and it involves and artist named Marc Anthony. His art is unlike anything you have ever seen. We recognize there are objects in these painting but we have no idea how they combine to tell a story.

These paintings are based on Ghanaian myths and legends which only makes them more inaccessible without having some background information. I need to find out what these stories are all about now that I have seen these pieces.




"Ghanaian master artist Mark Anthony (born c.1943) is acclaimed for his signage-inspired paintings which attract audiences to itinerant theatrical performances or “concert parties” by local musicians and actors. This exhibition of Anthony’s work consists of sets of paintings for three different plays; 1) Some Rivals Are Dangerous, 2) In This World, If You Do Not Allow Your Brother to Climb, You Will Not Climb, and 3) When A Royal Dies, We Take Him Home.

During the twentieth century this type of painting became integrated into the arts of Ghanaian communities with playwrights often basing their work on well-known stories that explore current issues. Of particular interest are tales that reflect the social pressures brought about by rapid change and globalization. Each set portrays key scenes from the plays, designed to attract attention and promote discussion as people walk or ride by. The size and combination of image and writing make the works feel like an exhibition of bizarre roadside billboards. To make these oversize paintings transportable, the artist constructs them in two sections connected with hinges. They can then be folded and tossed on and off trucks—and they show the wear from this use and abuse."

Follow the link to 'Monster Brains' if you are interesting in seeing more examples of the artist's work. That blog specializes in the weird and unusual found in art and design. You always get tons of pictures and analysis of what you just looked at. I am a big fan of specialty blogs like this one. I always know there will be great genre stuff to absorb every time I visit.

Check out 'Monster Brains' won't you. It's the 'Cave of Cools' blog of the day.

http://monsterbrains.blogspot.com/