Vincent Akwete Kofi (1923–1974) was a

Ghanaian The Ghanaian people are a nation originating in the Gold Coast (region), Ghanaian Gold Coast. Ghanaians predominantly inhabit the Republic of Ghana and are the predominant cultural group and residents of Ghana, numbering 34 million people as of ...

artist and academic known for his

modernist sculpture Modern sculpture is generally considered to have begun with the work of Auguste Rodin, who is seen as the progenitor of modern sculpture. While Rodin did not set out to rebel against the past, he created a new way of building his works. He "dissol ...

, which was inspired by themes such as

Pan-Africanism Pan-Africanism is a nationalist movement that aims to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all Indigenous peoples of Africa, indigenous peoples and diasporas of African ancestry. Based on a common goal dating back to the Atla ...

and

decolonization Decolonization is the undoing of colonialism, the latter being the process whereby Imperialism, imperial nations establish and dominate foreign territories, often overseas. The meanings and applications of the term are disputed. Some scholar ...

. He was described as "Ghana's most important sculptor".

Early life and education

Vincent Akwete Kofi was born in Odumasi-Krobo, Ghana on 16 January 1923. He trained at

Achimota College Achimota School ( /ɑːtʃimoʊtɑː/ ), formerly Prince of Wales College and School at Achimota, later Achimota College, now nicknamed Motown, is a co-educational boarding school located at Achimota in Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana. The school ...

, which had the first and foremost art department in

West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...

. He also studied at the

Royal College of Art, London The Royal College of Art (RCA) is a public research university in London, United Kingdom, with campuses in South Kensington, Battersea and White City. It is the only entirely postgraduate art and design university in the United Kingdom. It offe ...

(1952–1955), and attended

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

, New York (1959). During his time in America, he visited the

Barnett-Aden Gallery The Barnett-Aden Gallery was an art gallery in Washington D.C., founded by James V. Herring and Alonzo J. Aden, who were associated with Howard University's art department and gallery. The Barnett-Aden Gallery is recognized as the first success ...

and its founder Alonzo Aden. He was painted by painter Alex Fournier. While in New York, he learned

metal casting In metalworking and jewelry making, casting is a process in which a liquid metal is delivered into a mold (usually by a crucible) that contains a negative impression (i.e., a three-dimensional negative image) of the intended shape. The metal is ...

and, with the assistance of the

Harmon Foundation The Harmon Foundation, established in 1921 by white real-estate developer William E. Harmon (1862–1928), is best known for funding and collecting the work of African-American artists. History The Harmon Foundation was established as "a medium th ...

, produced a film on bronze casting.

Career and experience

Kofi's works were exhibited around Africa and Europe. He worked primarily in wood and his works drew upon the cultural traditions of Ghana's past. When Kofi returned to Ghana he taught at the Winneba Teacher Training College (1961–1969) and was Head of Fine Art at the College of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Kumasi Kumasi is a city and the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. Kumasi is located in a rain forest region ...

(1969–1974). Sculptures such as ''Awakening Africa'', ''Crucifix'' and ''Blackman's Stoicism'' were influenced by Kofi's interest in Pan-Africanism and decolonization. Kofi and Ghanaian textile artist Charlotte Hagan co-owned the Kofhag Art Mart gallery and studio. Kofi was a member of the Ghanaian delegation at the

First World Festival of Negro Arts The World Festival of Black Arts (French: ''Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres''), also known as FESMAN or FMAN, has been a series of month-long culture and arts festivals taking place in various parts of Africa. The festival features participant ...

, Dakar, 1966, and in 1971 he visited India at the invitation of the Government.

Influence

The work of Felix Eboigbe has been influenced by Kofi's sculptural dynamism.

El Anatsui El Anatsui (; born 4 February 1944) is a Ghanaian sculptor active for much of his career in Nigeria. He has drawn particular international attention for his "Bottle cap, bottle-top installations". These installations consist of thousands of Alum ...

was influenced in his early years by Kofi, and others such as Oku Ampofo and

Kofi Antubam Kofi Antubam (1922–1964), was a Ghanaian artist and designer. His work as official "state artist", appointed by Kwame Nkrumah, shaped the national identity of the newly independent country of Ghana. Antubam's art practice included easel paintin ...

, in their rejection of foreign influences and turn towards indigenous art forms. According to US Government officials, Kofi was the Ghanaian artist who was best known internationally in the 1970s.

Personal life

Kofi married Felicia Korkor Djabatey (before 1946), in Krobo, Kwaebibirem, Eastern, Ghana. They gave birth to a daughter Janet Ayerko Kofi. Kofi died on 31 July 1974.

External links

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kofi, Vincent 1923 births 1974 deaths Alumni of Achimota School Ghanaian male sculptors Columbia University alumni Academic staff of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 20th-century Ghanaian sculptors People from Eastern Region (Ghana) Ghanaian academics Alumni of the Royal College of Art