Ibrahim Mahama

            Ibrahim Mahama is a prominent figure in the world of contemporary African art. His work, driven by crisis and redemption, manifests through vast interventions in public space, engaging in a dialogue with stories of failure and hope. Recognized for his politically charged outdoor installations, Mahama uses stitched jute sacks resembling worn tapestries, hung over architectural structures. His work, exhibited in cities like Accra, Kumasi, and the 2015 Venice Biennale, examines the relationship between material and society, highlighting how capitalist systems absorb crisis and failure.

            Central to Mahama's practice is his collaborative approach, where he collects, remodels, and installs materials, involving a wide range of individuals, from artists to bureaucrats. This process transforms found objects into monuments addressing themes like anonymous labor and colonial infrastructure. Concurrently, he deepens his commitment to the circular economy, transforming obsolete materials into valuable objects and reinvesting the proceeds in interdisciplinary institutions near Tamale.

            Mahama's education at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi is reflected in his "cloth paintings," composed of patches of Dutch wax fabric collected over the years. Through his work, he seeks to redefine the African narrative and question the idea of freedom beyond chaos. His solo exhibitions, including shows at Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, Frac Pays de la Loire, The High Line in New York, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art, continue to challenge conventional notions of identity, economy, and collective memory.