Ibrahim Mahama Wins 2021 Premio Pascali
Ibrahim Mahama, who was born in 1987 in Tamale, Ghana, was awarded the XXII Premio Pascali in 2021. The jury, led by Rosalba Branà and including members Adrienne Drake and Nicola Zito, recognized his work. At the Fondazione Pascali in Polignano a Mare, Mahama's exhibition showcases jute sacks that represent the legacy of imperialist trade. These sacks, utilized by the Ghana Cocoa Board for cocoa beans, illustrate narratives of goods and migration. His art has been featured in significant events such as the 56th Venice Biennale (2015), Documenta 14 (2017), and Porta Venezia (2019). In 2019, he established the Savannah Center for Contemporary Art in Tamale. One of his installations, "Lazarus," created with students, includes bat wings crafted from metal rods and contaminated sacks.
Key facts
- Ibrahim Mahama won the XXII edition of the Premio Pascali 2021.
- Jury: Rosalba Branà (Fondazione Pascali), Adrienne Drake (Fondazione Giuliani), Nicola Zito.
- Solo exhibition at Fondazione Pascali in Polignano a Mare features jute sack installation.
- Mahama's jute sacks trace colonial and global trade routes, imported by Ghana Cocoa Board.
- His tapestries were at 56th Venice Biennale (2015), Documenta 14 (2017), and Porta Venezia Milan (2019).
- He used shoeboxes from shoe shiners for Ghana's pavilion at 2019 Venice Biennale.
- Founded Savannah Center for Contemporary Art (SCCA) in Tamale, Ghana in 2019.
- Restored industrial building Nkrumah Voli-ni, retaining bat colonies.
- Exhibition includes Lazarus installation adapted from White Cube London, with bat wings made from metal rods and sacks.
- Workshop with Angela Varvara and students from Accademia di Belle Arti di Bari.
Entities
Artists
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Christo
- Alberto Burri
- Angela Varvara
Institutions
- Fondazione Pascali
- Fondazione Giuliani
- Ghana Cocoa Board
- Savannah Center for Contemporary Art (SCCA)
- White Cube
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Bari
- Biennale di Venezia
- Documenta 14
- Artribune
- Corriere del Mezzogiorno
- Corriere della Sera
- Segno arte contemporanea
Locations
- Tamale
- Ghana
- Polignano a Mare
- Italy
- Rome
- Venice
- Kassel
- Milan
- London
- Bari