• Home
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
Kwesi News
Advertisement
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • World
    • News
    • Business
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • Entertainment
  • Kwesi Owusu – Notes From My Life Story
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Trends
    • Travel
  • Footprints
    • Books
    • Films
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Poetics
    • Extracts
    • Articles
  • Artworld
  • Magazine
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Music
      • Wulomei Returns
      • Best Of Wulomei
      • African Dawn
    • Cart
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • World
    • News
    • Business
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • Entertainment
  • Kwesi Owusu – Notes From My Life Story
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Trends
    • Travel
  • Footprints
    • Books
    • Films
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Poetics
    • Extracts
    • Articles
  • Artworld
  • Magazine
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Videos
    • Music
      • Wulomei Returns
      • Best Of Wulomei
      • African Dawn
    • Cart
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Kwesi News
No Result
View All Result
Home Artworld

James Barnor. The Master of Light

by Kwesi Owusu
September 13, 2021
in Artworld, Slide Stories
Reading Time: 2 mins read
5
James Barnor. The Master of Light
170
VIEWS
Share on WhatsAppShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on TelegramlinkedInPinterest

The photographs of James Barnor throw light and offer unique glimpses into the exciting world of Ghana just before independence in 1957 and its immediate aftermath. They reveal the social forces that engineered the break from formal colonialism. Significantly, the photos reflect the optimism of the times and empower future generations with powerful images that speak to the dreams of their forebears.

The Master of Light

James Barnor’s work illustrates the striking use of light, both natural and artificial. To make light fall on paper or an object in a way that illuminates the social significance of the art is a skill reserved for masters and divas. Barnor achieves this consistently in his work. Like El Anastui, Kofi Antubam, Ablade Glover and other great Ghanaian artists, Barnor uses colour textures to evoke social meaning and tell powerful stories.

Unlike the use of  “photoshopping” and technological manipulation these days, Barnor, by virtue of his times relied on his own innate talent and skills to capture not just the magical moment but produce art of great historical significance.

In this photograph, the light falls on the two persons in focus; the British royal dignitary and the new leader of the Gold Coast colony. Kwame Nkrumah bows but the royal remains upright. The door of her limousine is open, the escort or attendant waits diligently. In contrast, Nkrumah’s guards are far away and positioned to look elsewhere. From a single photograph, there is a myriad of interpretations that can help us interrogate the subtext of the dynamics of decolonisation. Was it the end of an era as most Ghanaians thought or entente cordiale agreed with a firm handshake?

The focus of light is on the traditionally clothed Ghanaian musician, confidently blowing into the future. Next to him is a prisoner or manual labourer who from facial expression alone looks crossed and not likely to share the musician’s optimism. His wheel borrow is empty, so he has just emptied contents and not carrying anything valuable away.

The photograph highlights two popular observations evoked by Ghana’s independence – looking confidently into the future, whilst recognising the depths from which the majority of the people had to rise.

 

Previous Post

Kofi Ghanaba – Africa’s Jazz Revolutionary

Next Post

Flowers for those that perished

Comments 5

  1. Pingback: Highlife is Ghana’s Musical Soul. Like Reggae and Rhumba, it must now be recognised as World Heritage Music - Kwesi News
  2. Anonymous says:
    2 months ago

    We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

    Reply
    • Kwesi Owusu says:
      2 weeks ago

      Much appreciated and thanks for your kind words and the work you are doing.
      Sounds interesting!

      You may share more about your community and your work here or at kwesiowusu2@yahoo.co.uk

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    3 weeks ago

    You are a very clever person!

    Reply
    • Kwesi Owusu says:
      2 weeks ago

      Not sure what to say but thank you ! LOL

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Listen & Download African Dawn Remix Listen & Download African Dawn Remix Listen & Download African Dawn Remix
No Result
View All Result

Browse by Category

Most Popular

  • The Incredible Story of Doris Appiah  – Danquah

    The Incredible Story of Doris Appiah – Danquah

    329 shares
    Share 132 Tweet 82
  • 10 TOP HIGHLIFE HITS

    111 shares
    Share 44 Tweet 28
  • Highlife is Ghana’s Musical Soul

    99 shares
    Share 40 Tweet 25
  • Terry Bonchaka – The Tragic Death of a Star

    63 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 16
  • Kwesi Owusu – Notes From My Life Story

    51 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Every Ghanaian is Charlie Chaplin

    39 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Etika – Ghana’s YouTube Genius Committed Suicide

    38 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 10
  • NANA TSIBOE : TRIBUTE TO A MASTER DRUMMER AND RELUCTANT GENIUS

    34 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Fela Kuti invented Afro Beat in Ghana. Tony Allen testifies.

    33 shares
    Share 13 Tweet 8
  • You’re Invited To Lunch – Main Course – Apem and Kontomire with slices of Avocado ❤️🇬🇭

    32 shares
    Share 13 Tweet 8

Latest News

NANA TSIBOE : TRIBUTE TO A MASTER DRUMMER AND RELUCTANT GENIUS

NANA TSIBOE : TRIBUTE TO A MASTER DRUMMER AND RELUCTANT GENIUS

May 25, 2022
RIP AUNTIE CARO KWATEIKAI GWIRA

RIP AUNTIE CARO KWATEIKAI GWIRA

May 4, 2022
Tyson gets emotional about Ali

Tyson gets emotional about Ali

February 19, 2022
UPGRADE YOUR FACE MASK

UPGRADE YOUR FACE MASK

January 17, 2022
Trail of African bling reveals 50,000-year-old social network

Trail of African bling reveals 50,000-year-old social network

January 16, 2022
Dr Letitia Obeng honoured with a plaque at Liverpool’s newest hotel

Dr Letitia Obeng honoured with a plaque at Liverpool’s newest hotel

January 12, 2022
Meet The Woman Behind The Iconic “Woman Stepping Into The New Year” Artwork

Meet The Woman Behind The Iconic “Woman Stepping Into The New Year” Artwork

January 10, 2022
DORIS IS FREE AT LAST 😭

DORIS IS FREE AT LAST 😭

January 1, 2022
BOB MARLEY – “My richness is life forever”

BOB MARLEY – “My richness is life forever”

January 1, 2022
Creatives Blast off 2022

Creatives Blast off 2022

January 1, 2022
My fascination with the creative imagination derives from its power to evoke truth and beauty in our tireless search for change

Quick Links

  • Home
  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Artworld
  • Contact

Shop

  • Shop
  • African Dawn
  • Wulomei Returns
  • Best Of Wulomei
  • Cart

© 2021 kwesinews.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2021 kwesinews.com

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

error: Content is protected !!
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?