Vincent Kofi

{{Short description|Ghanaian artist (1923–1974)}} '''Vincent Akwete Kofi''' (1923–1974) was a Ghanaian artist and academic known for his modernist sculpture, which was inspired by themes such as Pan-Africanism and decolonization. He was described as "Ghana's most important sculptor".<ref>{{Cite book |last=JEAN |first=KENNEDY |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z1gpqnYP6EgC&q=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi |title=NEW CURRENTS ANCIENT RIVERS |date=1992-07-17 |publisher=Smithsonian |isbn=978-1-56098-037-7 |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Vincent Akwete Kofi was born in Odumasi-Krobo, Ghana on 16 January 1923.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kofi, Vincent Akwete (1923–1974) - Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism |url=https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/kofi-vincent-akwete-1923-1974 |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=www.rem.routledge.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L71B-JN4/vincent-akwete-kofi-1923-1974 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}}</ref>

He trained at Achimota College, which had the first and foremost art department in West Africa.<ref name=":0" />

He also studied at the Royal College of Art, London (1952–1955), and attended Columbia University, New York (1959).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Palmer |first=Cornelia Gerda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5c8SDzbrQDkC&q=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi |title=Johan Mhlanga, a Swazi Wood Sculptor |date=1990 |publisher=U. of Calif., Davis |pages=56 |language=en}}</ref> During his time in America, he visited the Barnett-Aden Gallery and its founder Alonzo Aden. He was painted by painter Alex Fournier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Fournier working on portrait of Vincent Kofi - David C. Driskell Papers {{!}} David C. Driskell Center - University of Maryland |url=https://driskellcenter.pastperfectonline.com/photo/B51902D0-7C5D-4AE7-9851-367340005540 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=driskellcenter.pastperfectonline.com}}</ref>

While in New York, he learned metal casting and, with the assistance of the Harmon Foundation, produced a film on bronze casting.<ref name=":0" />

== Career and experience == Kofi's works were exhibited around Africa and Europe. He worked primarily in wood and his works drew upon the cultural traditions of Ghana's past.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Picton |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=94tJAQAAIAAJ&q=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi |title=El Anatsui: A Sculpted History of Africa |date=1998 |publisher=Saffron Books in conjunction with the October Gallery |isbn=978-1-872843-14-8 |language=en}}</ref>

When Kofi returned to Ghana he taught at the Winneba Teacher Training College (1961–1969) and was Head of Fine Art at the College of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi (1969–1974).

Sculptures such as ''Awakening Africa'', ''Crucifix'' and ''Blackman's Stoicism'' were influenced by Kofi's interest in Pan-Africanism and decolonization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=deGraft-Yankson |first=Patrique |title=Vincent Akwete Kofi's 'Crucifix' |url=https://www.explore-vc.org/en/objects/vincent-akwete-kofi-s-crucifix.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Exploring Visual Cultures |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Kofi and Ghanaian textile artist Charlotte Hagan co-owned the Kofhag Art Mart gallery and studio.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H9UwyTxJSiEC&q=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi |title=Cultural Events in Africa |date=1971 |publisher=African Studies Centre, University of Cambridge. |pages=2 |language=en}}</ref>

Kofi was a member of the Ghanaian delegation at the First World Festival of Negro Arts, Dakar, 1966, and in 1971 he visited India at the invitation of the Government.<ref name=":0" />

== Influence == The work of Felix Eboigbe has been influenced by Kofi's sculptural dynamism.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3gBRAAAAYAAJ&q=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi |title=African Arts: Arts D'Afrique |date=1977 |publisher=African Studies Center, University of California, Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref> El Anatsui was influenced in his early years by Kofi, and others such as Oku Ampofo and Kofi Antubam, in their rejection of foreign influences and turn towards indigenous art forms.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Akyeampong |first1=Emmanuel Kwaku |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&dq=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi&pg=RA1-PA283 |title=Dictionary of African Biography |last2=Gates (Jr.) |first2=Henry Louis |date=2012-02-02 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-538207-5 |pages=283 |language=en}}</ref>

According to US Government officials, Kofi was the Ghanaian artist who was best known internationally in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaplan |first=Irving |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mi-Vyam0S14C&dq=Vincent+Akwete+Kofi&pg=PA180 |title=Area Handbook for Ghana |date=1971 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |pages=180 |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life == Kofi married Felicia Korkor Djabatey (before 1946), in Krobo, Kwaebibirem, Eastern, Ghana. They gave birth to a daughter Janet Ayerko Kofi.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LW1S-3DQ/janet-ayerko-kofi-1946-2004 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}}</ref> Kofi died on 31 July 1974.<ref name=":0" />

== External links == * {{FamilySearch|id=L71B-JN4|title=Vincent Akwete Kofi}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kofi, Vincent}} Category:1923 births Category:1974 deaths Category:Alumni of Achimota School Category:Ghanaian male sculptors Category:Columbia University alumni Category:Academic staff of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Category:20th-century Ghanaian sculptors Category:People from Eastern Region (Ghana) Category:Ghanaian academics Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Art