Faded glory, 2021

Jacob Kwesi Bennett  

Artist Statement:

I was born in the United Kingdom but relocated back to Ghana-West Africa where I come from at an early age. I had my secondary education at the Accra Academy, continuing later at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana, where I obtained a Bachelor of Art Degree in Painting with a second-class honours-Upper Division. 

My paintings are more representational with the subjects mostly figurative rendered in a stylized and idealized way. I parade elegant women as sinuous as grazing gazelles bejewelled with dew. Tapered female faces in exquisite colour stare dispassionately like proud, virgin princesses. When I paint gourds, it is with the same relish. I dress the gourds up with such purpose that they become their own salesman: silently, imposingly.
I rely on precision in my work. My technique is understated, controlled and waste less. My power relies on finesse and sound craftsmanship to buttress my clear vision.
The variety of colours I use are mostly applied thinly but occasionally in impasto. Balance sums up my style. My works compel discussion. Hidden in them are symbolism, allegory, indirect reference and esoteric purpose.
My aim is always to create something beautiful and aesthetically pleasant to the eyes. I believe in allowing the viewer to participate in the composition by trying to interpret it. The viewer or observer i say, must also express how he or she feels about the work of art, what he or she sees in it and the message he or she feels the artist wants to portray".
Professor Ato K.G. de Graft Johnson an art critic of KNUST, Kumasi-Ghana writes “Bennett is the quintessential artist. He searches endlessly. He experiments ceaselessly. Beauty happens to him by sheer circumstance. He has a unique artistic voice which has range, power, passion and discipline"

Education:

September 1991-July 1996- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana 
September 1989-July1991- A-Levels Mathematics, Economics and Fine Art, Accra Workers College, Ghana
September 1988-July 1989-O-Levels including Mathematics and English, Wesley Grammar School, Accra-Ghana

Exhibitions:

Group Art and Craft exhibition-Southlands Arts Centre,West Drayton(oct 2016 & mar 2017)
• Two man exhibition at Stanjel, Slovenia (2011)
• Ghana Association of Visual Artist(GAVA)exhibition titled 'Profiles of Creativity', Accra Museum(2007&2008)
• Foundations for Contemporary Art(FCA) group exhibition titled 'Small Works Big City' at Goethe Institute,Accra-Ghana.(2005)
• A group show titled-'Ancient Traditions Contemporary Forms at the Ghana Embassy,USA(2004)'
• Solo exhibition at the Ghana Ambassador's residence,Rome-Italy(2003)
• Modra Galerija-Domzale, Slovenia(2003)
• Pan African Festival of Arts and Culture(PANAFEST)group exhibition-Cape Coast, Ghana(1997&1998) 
• A group exhibition under the theme 'African Exposition 'at the Golden Tulip hotel, Accra- Ghana(1996&1997)
• Whilst a student I participated in two group exhibitions.
1. The “Otumfuo Opoku Ware ll Regalia Painting Exhibition" in 1995, marking his 25th Anniversary after being enstooled as the Chief of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana.
2. The European Community Exhibition in collaboration with the College of Art(KNUST) under the theme “The European Community as seen through the eyes of Ghana" in 1993