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Ghana: Architecture of Belonging

To mark ‘Year of Return, Ghana 2019’, a panel of designers and thinkers discuss the role of architecture in promoting identity and belonging.

What to expect

Ghana has declared 2019 as a Year of Return for diasporan Africans whose ancestors were victimised by the brutalities of slavery.

To mark this occasion, the museum is hosting a talk moderated by architect Elsie Owusu. Taking David Adjaye’s National Cathedral of Ghana in Accra as a point of departure, the discussion will explore connections between architecture, culture, memory and habitat in Ghana and how architecture can be used as a tool to promote identity and belonging.

Upper Level Auditorium and Altar, National Cathedral of Ghana. Credit Adjaye Associates.

Booking information

Adult: £12
Student/Concession: £8
Members: £5

Speakers

Elsie Owusu OBE

Ghanaian-British architect and founding chair of the Society of Black Architects. Elsie’s projects include the UK Supreme Court Arts and Green Park Station. She is working on the centenary celebration Africa Bauhaus 100 and the launch of the new College of Art and Design in Jamestown, Accra.

Doug Fishbone

is an American artist living in London. His 2010 film Elmina, made collaboratively in Ghana, had its world premiere at Tate Britain in 2010 and was nominated for an African Movie Academy Award in Nigeria in 2011. He is currently at work on a follow-up.

Ella Bulley

is a London-based designer whose practice combines traditional artisan techniques with technological innovations to transform the 'raw' into the 'refined'. Ella’s response to this year’s programme is ‘Remnants’, a project related to the objects that inhabit spaces of dwelling.

Chrissa Amuah

Chrissa Amuah is the Founder & Creative Director of AMWA Designs, an Adinkra inspired luxury homeware and interiors brand. She has established AFRICA BY DESIGN; a concept of love intended to showcase and celebrate the best of Africa’s design talent. Image credit: Piko Sipamla.

Related exhibition

David Adjaye: Making Memory

Experience the storytelling power of architecture through an exploration of seven monumental projects from celebrated architect Sir David Adjaye OBE.

Friday Lates

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Background image | National Cathedral of Ghana, credit Adjaye Associates.