Some attendees of the exhibition
ABSA Bank has held its pan-African art exhibition and competition, ABSA L’Atelier, at the Institute Museum of Ghana, Nador Residency in Accra.
ABSA L’Atelier has been taking place for 37 years and has since 2015, included artists from the country to participate in the competition.
The exhibition titled, ‘Refuge: An Uncommon Home,’ provided a captivating experience for art enthusiasts.
The exhibition delved into themes that spoke to the artists’ self-reflective journey through art, confronting personal trauma, and anxieties about the past and future.
Using a blend of objects and traditional materials, the artists created captivating art pieces and helped tell different stories through their artworks.
Artist, Michael Jackson Blebo, expressed his excitement about the programme stating, “The L’Atelier competition gave me the platform to showcase my talent to diverse audiences across the continent. It was an exciting period in my career journey, and I hope to leverage that success to take my career to new heights.”
Guest at the event and legal professional, Theodore Albright, shared his astonishment at how the artists skillfully included African arts in their works.
“I marvel at visceral experience of pure traditional African art on display. You felt you were in a different place; total serenity and clarity,” he stated.
Director of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Bank Ghana, Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, highlighted the bank’s commitment to their clients through art.
“What matters to our customers is of utmost importance to us. The L’Atelier art competition clearly shows our dedication to meeting the needs of our customers in every possible way. Art is a common platform for bringing people together in Africa and Ghana. By associating with this art platform, we bring our customers closer and foster stronger connections,” she affirmed.
Absa Bank’s commitment to art and culture, through the L’Atelier competition, has elevated the profile of African artists and also strengthened the bank’s connection with its clients and communities.