The gallery’s name, like many things in Ghana, points to independence. Gallery 1957, founded in Accra in 2016, became one of the most important spaces for contemporary African art in West Africa. Its shows helped introduce a generation of Ghanaian painters and sculptors to collectors around the world.
The founder, the space and the art boom
The gallery was founded by Marwan Zakhem, a Ghanaian-Lebanese businessman and art collector. It opened in the Kempinski Hotel area in Accra and later expanded to other spaces, including a presence in London. The gallery has exhibited Ghanaian and other African artists, including painters known for figurative portraits and artists working with textiles and mixed media.
In the late 2010s, Ghanaian figurative painters such as Amoako Boafo attracted strong international demand. Galleries in Accra played a role in this rise.
Residencies, collectors and criticism
Gallery 1957 has supported artist residencies and programmes for emerging artists. The city also has spaces such as the Nubuke Foundation and the Artists Alliance Gallery, as well as events such as the Chale Wote street art festival. Local and international collectors buy work through galleries, though prices for some artists have risen beyond the reach of many Ghanaians.
Some critics worry that international demand drives artists towards particular styles. Galleries hold talks and school visits to encourage art appreciation.
Visiting, the future and new artists
Gallery 1957 exhibitions are generally open to the public. Accra’s art scene continues to grow, attracting curators and collectors from abroad. The gallery has taken Ghanaian artists to international art fairs, where collectors from Europe, America and Asia buy works. These appearances have helped shape the global market for West African contemporary art. Young artists in Accra see galleries like 1957 as a path to recognition. Many trained at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, whose art school has produced several internationally known painters.
Public access and the name
Admission to exhibitions is usually free, and the gallery hosts openings that attract artists, students and collectors. The 1957 in the gallery’s name is a reminder that its story is tied to the story of the nation. Gallery 1957 took its name from Ghana’s independence. Its artists are part of a new chapter in which Ghanaians tell their stories on gallery walls around the world.
