Isha Fofana Isha is dedicated to encouraging original art work from all who participate. She wants people’s talents to develop individually with less reliance on copying other people’s successful styles. She feels that this is especially important for our young Gambian female artists, who seem to lack the imagination and courage needed to be truly original as well as the opportunities to break away from their domestic commitments. She is known internationally and has worked and exhibited in Europe and Asia. She has now returned to her homeland to fulfil her dream of bringing art to the Gambian people and to share her energy with others. |
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Mama Africa is back!Isha Fofana, a renowned artist from the Gambia, has returned home after almost ten years and an international career. During her time in Europe she has had e.g. exhibitions at the UNESCO music award given to Youssou N ' Dour/Senegal and Oumou Sangaré/Mali. Her gallery in Germany was a cultural centre for people being interested in arts and culture from all over Africa. After an audience at the Vice President of The Gambia, Isha Fofana decided to return home and to help her country in her field. The art scene in Europe is enthusiastic about her work: “A picturesque explosion at once started Isha Fofana her suppressed thoughts, dreams and feelings … Behind many pictures Isha Fofanas personal stories, events, descriptions of a world little accessible to us, hide. The artist dares to process a far tension bend artistically from old black African traditions up to a new formal liberty in the open, all visual codes permissible western world. … Isha Fofana doesn't mix these polarities to a pleasant "Ethno pop". Her instinctive esthetical certainty to reach an increase making sensorial in her intense painting air and colour areas contrasting strongly into her great is also fascinating. …” Dr. Adam Öllers, director of the museums in Aachen/Germany The main emphasis of the work in The Gambia is the promotion of less privileged girls and women in The Gambia: Their social competences and first of all to work on their own talents in the production of art objects like batik, painting, clay etc. The aim is to secure an income of one's own, self consciousness and independent life. The sale of the art objects and pictures as well as a sponsorship of visitors and other donators will serve the financing of the non-profit association. The purpose of the organization is the promotion of art and culture, the education in art, support abilities of talents in the field of arts, get-together between visitors and Gambian and the development of the country in general. The aims and objectives come true particularly through: - Art courses and others cultural activities in schools or other institutions. - Support of artistic and cultural projects according to the "help to the self-help" - Support of the tolerance in all fields of the culture and the art. - Information of the visitors about the situation of underprivileged children and women in The Gambia and the role art can play. - Aids to the overcoming of psychological conflicts by an artistic therapy. - Building up the “Mama Africa – Women’s Museum & Art Centre” in Batokunku Biography: 1965 born in Banjul – The Gambia / West Africa Since 1984 member of the ”Gambia Black African Art Club” Since 2001 private and public exhibitions in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands 2002 and 2004 exhibition together with UNESCO Music Award in Aachen, Germany 2006 opening gallery “Mama Afrika” in Cologne / Köln / Germany Nov. 2007 exhibition together with award given to Waris Dirie, Kerkrade, NL Nov. 2007 Nomination “Best African Artist in Europe” Since Dec. 2007 International Representative of the Gambian artists Since 2008 member of International Artist Association” IKV Germany Nov. 2008 opening gallery “Mama Africa” in Brusubi / The Gambia April 2009 founding the non-profit association “Mama Africa Art Centre” Jan. 2010 opening “Mama Africa - women’s museum & art centre” Batokunku / The Gambia Last exhibitions 2008 / 2009: Cultural Center „de Warande“ – Antwerpen / Belgium “Land Art” – Hannover / Germany WDR (German Public TV and Radio Station) – Cologne / Germany "Straßen verbinden Kulturen"/Press Department German Government - Bonn/Germany Sheraton Hotel Brufut / The Gambia UN Headquarter “Inter. Women’s Week” / Cape Point /Gambia EC Residence “Europe Day” / Fajara / Gambia Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Taipeh / Taiwan „Afrikanischer Künstler" / Düsseldorf / Germany „Weltreise der Sinne II" / Bonn / Germany "Straßen verbinden Kulturen" / Museum for Industry / Karlstadt / Germany "Kunst und Religie" / Denderleeuw / Belgium |
