Cornelius Annor (Ghana), Aboki, 2022. Fabric collage, fabric transfer, and acrylic on canvas, 83 ¾ x 59 ¾ x 1 ½ inches. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Federico Martin Castro Debernardi, 2022.55. © Cornelius Annor

height: 83 3/4 in, 212.725 cm; width: 59 3/4 in, 151.765 cm; depth: 1 1/2 in, 3.81 cm

Modern and Contemporary Art

Modern and Contemporary Art

This object is currently on view

Working with personal memories and family history, Cornelius Annor draws upon his archive of family photographs and fabrics sourced from his wife, mother, and aunts to create intimate portraits of everyday life in his native Ghana. Based on a 1967 photograph of two friends, the painting depicts Mr. Nkansah, who wears a white T-shirt and patterned shorts, and Mr. Ofori, who has since died. Suffusing Mr. Ofori’s body and clothing with rust-colored hues, Annor recalls the sepia tones of antique photographs and the passage of time.