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Sir John Akomfrah, the acclaimed Ghanaian-born British artist and filmmaker, is bringing his thought-provoking installations to Wrightwood 659 in Chicago. Known for his innovative use of video to explore complex social and cultural themes, Akomfrah’s work investigates memory, post-colonialism, and the global experiences of migrant diasporas.
The exhibition features two installations. "Four Nocturnes," a three-screen video piece, examines the intertwined destruction of the natural world and humanity itself. At its heart is a reflection on Africa’s rapidly declining elephant populations, serving as a metaphor for loss, mortality, and fragmented identity. Described as a poetic meditation on mythology and memory, the piece was first commissioned for the inaugural Ghana Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019.
Alongside it is "Toxic Cloud," an installation that suspends hundreds of plastic jugs overhead, evoking the suffocating effects of pollution. Together, the two works highlight the environmental and cultural crises of the modern era.
Akomfrah’s career has spanned decades, and his works have been shown in prestigious museums and exhibitions worldwide, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. His films have also made waves at international festivals such as Sundance and Toronto. In 2017, Akomfrah won the Artes Mundi Prize, and in 2023, he was knighted for his contributions to the arts.
In 2024, he represented the United Kingdom at the Venice Biennale with "Listening All Night to the Rain," a deeply personal new body of work commissioned by the British Council.
Chicago audiences now have the chance to experience the artistry and intellectual depth that have earned Akomfrah global acclaim. His installations at Wrightwood 659 offer a profound exploration of the intersections between humanity, nature, and culture.
