Ibrahim Mahama's 'A Shea Garden' Blends Ghanaian Ceramics with Murano Glass in Venice

Ibrahim Mahama makes his return to Venice, marking a decade since his debut at the 2015 Biennale, with 'A Shea Garden,' a temporary exhibition at Galleria Barovier&Toso in Dorsoduro, which will be open until July 18, 2026. This project, in partnership with Apalazzogallery, reimagines traditional clay vessels from northern Ghana as Murano glass, removing their original purpose. The exhibition's title alludes to the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), vital for Ghana's ecology and women's livelihoods. Additionally, a nearby room showcases collages made from vintage maps and large Polaroids from the '20×24 Polaroid Project.' Mahama's work critiques colonial economies and global trade, echoing themes from his 2015 installation 'Out of Bounds,' which links Ghanaian ceramics to Murano glassmaking through international exchanges.