Godfried Donkor's 'It's a Number's Game' at Firstsite Explores Value of Black Bodies
Currently on display at Firstsite in Colchester, UK, is "It's a Number's Game," an exhibition featuring Ghanaian-British artist Godfried Donkor. This collection explores the historical and contemporary valuation of Black individuals through various artistic mediums, including collage, painting, embroidery, and installations. Donkor incorporates archival images, Financial Times articles, and elements of boxing to address issues of slavery and colonialism. One notable work, "The Mill" from 2019, connects historical figures like Boudicca and Yaa Asantewaa. His art will also be presented at the upcoming 61st International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'It's a Number's Game' at Firstsite, Colchester, UK
- Artist Godfried Donkor is Ghanaian-British
- Work includes collage, painting, mixed media, embroidery, and installation
- Uses Financial Times newspaper pages as material
- Boxing is a central theme, exploring spectacle and commodification of Black bodies
- Exhibition connects Boudicca and Yaa Asantewaa
- Work 'The Mill' (2019) is part of 'Battle Royale: Last Man Standing' project
- Donkor's work also appears at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
- References Paul Gilroy, Édouard Glissant, and Frantz Fanon
- Revisits Sarah and Thomas Bowdich's 19th-century depictions of Ashanti
Entities
Artists
- Godfried Donkor
- Boudicca
- Yaa Asantewaa
- Sarah Bowdich
- Thomas Bowdich
- Paul Gilroy
- Édouard Glissant
- Frantz Fanon
- Sue Webster
- Sarah Bowditch
- Koyo Kouoh
Institutions
- Firstsite
- Gallery 1957
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Venice Biennale
- Financial Times
Locations
- Colchester
- United Kingdom
- Ghana
- Britain
- Caribbean
- USA
- Venice
- Italy
- Essex
- West Africa