Biography
Ibrahim Mahama is a Ghanaian contemporary artist renowned for his large-scale installations that repurpose found materials to explore themes of labor, trade, and colonial histories. His recent exhibition, Zilijifa, at Kunsthalle Wien (July 9 – November 2, 2025), marks his first solo show in Austria. The exhibition features a full-size diesel locomotive supported by thousands of enamelled iron pans, symbolizing the weight of history and the legacy of colonial infrastructure in Ghana.
Earlier in 2025, Mahama wrapped the Kunsthalle Bern in Switzerland with jute sacks, echoing Christo and Jeanne-Claude's 1968 intervention. This installation interrogates the institution's legacy and its impact on the city's architectural and artistic landscape.
In 2024, Mahama's A Spell of Good Things at White Cube, New York, showcased his use of discarded materials like hospital beds and train parts to reflect on Ghana's colonial past and present socio-political realities.
Mahama's practice often involves large-scale installations using materials such as jute sacks, which he stitches together with collaborators to drape over architectural structures. These works serve as records of collective labor and commentaries on global trade and economic systems.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Mahama is committed to cultural development in Ghana. He founded the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Volini in Tamale, creating spaces for exhibitions, research, and education.
Collectors and art enthusiasts value Mahama's work for its powerful narratives and innovative use of materials, which challenge traditional art forms and provoke critical discourse on historical and contemporary issues.
Nationality