Gideon Appah Ghana, b. 1987
In new other-worldly works, Appah depicts surreal scenes of unknown figures populating natural landscapes. Introducing jewel-like greens alongside washes of peach and pops of colour, his works reveal barely clothed figures against scenes miraged with tropes from legend and myth.
Through nostalgic blues and verdigris, his worlds are abstracted and fragmented, with glimpses of nature and ghostly reflections barely visible. Through these ethereal works, Appah focuses on presence or feelings evoked, in turn alluding to the organic transformations of memories over time. Using thick, rough application of acrylic to build up his compositions, his works respond directly to his own familial stories, whilst also reflecting on a country’s national history.
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[West] African Renaissance
Gallery 1957 in collaboration with Christie's Dubai 14 Nov - 14 Dec 2021These artists have been trailblazers in what is considered to be a Renaissance for modern and contemporary art from Africa and the African diaspora, with artists from the continent gaining...Read more -
Gideon Appah X Tiffany Alfonseca-‘South Facing South (Ghanaman X Quisqueya)’
London 7 Jan - 14 Mar 2021Gideon Appah Gallery 1957 is pleased to present a presentation of Ghanaian artist, Gideon Appah (b. 1987) on view January 2021 in our London Gallery. In this new body of...Read more -
Gideon Appah-Love Letters
Accra, Gallery I 29 Jun - 15 Aug 2019This summer, Gallery 1957 hosts its first solo exhibition of Ghanaian artist Gideon Appah, curated by Katherine Finerty and Michael Babanawo. This multi-media exhibition presents a journey through the individual...Read more -
18:20 The Collection
Accra, Gallery I 25 Aug 2018 - 5 Jan 2019Gallery 1957 presents a group exhibition highlighting several reputable artists from our collection. All respected in the African art scene, these artists explore themes such as identity, family and society...Read more
Gideon Appah is a mixed media artist who draws from personal experiences of life in the capital of Accra. In new works created for 1-54, Appah responds directly to his upbringing, by presenting them in the context of a family setting. The series titled Memoirs Through Pokua’s Window, transforms the booth into Appah’s Grandmother’s house, using old family photo-albums and half-memories as reference material.
Growing up in a large family, the works are reflective of a life characterized by strong emotional bonds, religious activities and folklore. Through nostalgic blues, deep green landscapes and charcoal, his dreamlike compositions place typical domestic interiors from 1980s and 90s Ghana against surreal landscapes.
Pots, stools, lamps, windows, photographs and masks populate Appah’s works, appearing as fragments from inconsistent past. Presented alongside glimpses of nature—plains, trees, plants and particularly rivers—Appah alludes to the organic transformation of memories over time.
Using thick, rough applications of acrylic upon collaged layers of appropriated posters, prints and photographs, Appah directly references his own familial histories. The posters used—advertising haircuts, barber shops and tailoring—relate to occupations of his aunts, uncles and grandparents, the overall result becoming an artistic archive of communal life in Accra.
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Gideon Appah at the Institute of Contemporary art at Virginia Commonwealth University
Feb 19 - June 19, 2022 9 Mar 2022Forgotten, Nudes, Landscapes is Gideon Appah’s newly commissioned exhibition for the ICA. These paintings merge the artist’s interests in Ghanaian popular culture with his own...Read more -
Gallery 1957 Presents a Group Exhibition in Collaboration With Christie's Dubai
[West] African Renaissance presents some of the most significant West African artists. 10 Nov 2021On November 14 and for the duration of one month, Gallery 1957 will open [West] African Renaissance, an exhibition in collaboration with Christie’s Dubai. On...Read more -
Gallery 1957 on Artnet.com
28 Jun 2021Artnet.com have published an article on Gallery 1957's Gideon Appah at 1-54 New York. You can read the full article here.Read more -
Gideon Appah and Joana Choumali at MACAAL, Marrakech
25 Jun 2021Gallery 1957 artists Joana Choumali and Gideon Appah are currently on show as part of 'Welcome Home' at MACAAL, Marrakech. The exhibition showcases new acquisitions...Read more
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ICA at VCU Presents First Institutional Solo Exhibition of Ghanian Artist Gideon Appah
Alicia Puig, Create Magazine, 4 Mar 2022 -
Gideon Appah: Forgotten, Nudes, Landscapes
Art Plugged, 2 Mar 2022 -
Gideon Appah Explores Ghanian Cultural Memory at The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
Balasz Takac, Widewalls, 1 Mar 2022 -
Interview: Ghanaian Painter Gideon Appah Goes On A Journey Of Rediscovery
Something Curated, 8 Feb 2022 -
[West] African Renaissance in collaboration with Christie’s Dubai 14 November - 14 December, 2021. Christies Dubai, U.A.
Christies, 10 Nov 2021 -
Gideon Appah's Newest Project Is a Spiritual Rumination on His Ghanaian Upbringing
Ezinne Mgbeahuruike, OkayAfrica -
Why Gideon Appah is about to become a sensation at 1-54 art fair in New York
Claude Grunitzky, True Africa -
Gallery 1957 Heralds a New Era for West African Artists on Their Own Terms
Charlotte Jansen, Artsy, 15 Dec 2020 -
African Connections: Artists to Watch at 1-54 and Frieze Masters
Rebecca Anne Proctor, Ocula, 8 Oct 2020 -
Five Artists In The UAE That Should Be On Your Radar
Arsalan Mohammad, Harpers Bazaar Arabia, 6 Apr 2020 -
Art Dubai Residents: Nostalgia through Ghanaian artist Gideon Appah’s eyes
Katrina Kufer, Arab News, 24 Mar 2020 -
Meet the Ghanaian Talent Heating Up Africa’s Contemporary Art Scene
William Hanley, Surface, 17 Aug 2018 -
4 Artists and Projects to Discover at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Taylor Dafoe, Artnet, 4 May 2018