Ghana's hand-painted film posters: from sensationalist ads to collectible art

Hand-painted movie posters from Ghana, used to promote films in video clubs from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, have become highly coveted art. These posters often took creative liberties with the films, adding dramatic touches like blood and skulls to grab attention. Artists like Heavy J (Jeaurs Affutu) and Stoger (Benjamin Amartey) painted these on flour sacks, aiming for the most impressive 'forgery.' Interest dwindled around 2000 as TV gained popularity, but a global fascination grew through books and exhibitions. In 2012, Robert Kofi and Brian Chankin started the Deadly Prey Gallery, working with 15 artists mainly for US collectors, with prices starting at $600. Prominent films shown include The Exorcist, Star Wars, and Terminator. Joseph Oduro-Frimpong from Ashesi University links the exaggeration to a cultural practice of ‘visualizing the invisible.’ Some adaptations even led to violence; Kofi shared a story of being attacked over a misleading poster for Double Impact.