Professor Yaw Nyarko in Conversation with Artists from Chester, PA
Rural Black Africa and Urban Black America: Connecting the Diaspora and the Source
Date: December 14, 2023
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm ET (doors open at 5:30pm, reception to follow)
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Overview:
In October 2023, NYU Africa House/Center for Technology and Economic Development (CTED) facilitated a transformative cultural exchange, bringing together African American artists from Chester, PA, and artists in Kumawu, Ghana, to foster a deep heritage connection and cultivate an art-based relationship. The purpose of the trip was to foster a heritage connection and an art economy between these artists from Africa and the Diaspora. The Chester artists were in residence at CTED and the Tweneboa Kodua Senior High School (TKSHS), where they collaborated with educators and students, resulting in a rich tapestry of art that will be exhibited at various venues, including NYU CTED Art Gallery, Bodomase Palace Museum, Bodwease Palace Museum, Kumawu Palace Museum, and NYU Africa House in New York City. Join us on December 14th for a conversation moderated by Prof. Yaw Nyarko with Chester, PA artists Kenneth Hunt, Hayes McLeod, and Devon Walls, as they share how the trip has inspired their artistic direction specifically in line with developing an African American-owned arts district in Chester, PA. The exchange will continue with Kumawu artists visiting Chester, promising ongoing cultural and economic collaboration that benefits both communities and the broader NYU community.
Speakers:
Kenneth Hunt, Artist
Kenneth was born in 1980 to Kenneth and Eunice Foster Hunt. A young talented artist, Kenneth’s first professional art show was at 16, when an art collector named Michael Gray gave him the opportunity to display his artwork alongside legendary artists, such as George Benson, Andrew Turner, and William Dandridge. Surprisingly, Young Picasso sold 27 pieces of his artwork before the show ended for the night. That was when he gained the desire, passion, and encouragement needed to fuel his career as artist. Since then, he has appeared at Art Basel 2018/Wynwood Art Week Miami, Art Basel 2019 in Basel Switzerland, Art Basel 2019/Wynwood Art Week Miami, France, Amsterdam, Germany, London, Cuba, Ghana, Pennsylvania, New York, Washington DC, California, Atlanta, North Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Texas as an international traveling artist. He has also opened three art galleries – Gorilla Land Art Gallery, Abstract Reality Art Gallery, and Gallery 600 which are dedicated to showcasing the artwork of young and upcoming artists to inspire them just as Michael Gray did for him. Kenneth has multiple collections such as, “The Untitled Series,” “Dear Mr. Picasso,” “Sinister,” and his most popular collection “The Art Monster.”
Hayes McLeod, Artist
Hayes McLeod is a renaissance artist, seamlessly blending various forms of creative expression. As a painter, his canvases are a vivid reflection of his unique journey, shaped by his early years in the American South and his upbringing in Germany. With a brush in hand, Hayes paints evocative landscapes that bear witness to his diverse cultural experiences. But Hayes is more than a painter; he’s a dynamic force in the world of dance and choreography, choreographing performances that draw from both African tradition and African American culture. His costume designs, steeped in history and tradition, bring a tactile dimension to his artistic vision. In the realm of sculpture, McLeod has sculpted masterpieces that pay homage to the rich artistic heritage he’s inherited. His creations tell stories of heritage and identity in three-dimensional form. Beyond his artistic talents, Hayes has dedicated over five decades of his life as a consultant, lending his expertise to numerous programs, enriching them with his knowledge of culture, diversity, and the arts. A tireless advocate for African tradition and African American culture, McLeod’s life’s work is a testament to the power of art to unite, inspire, and celebrate our shared human experience.
Devon Walls, Artist
In each brushstroke and every collaboration, Devon Walls breathes life into his vision: a world where art transcends boundaries, uplifts communities, and creates lasting possibilities. Hailing from Chester, Pennsylvania, Walls’ childhood is deeply woven into the vibrant tapestry of art and African culture. His artistic journey is an eclectic fusion of whimsical abstract portraits, drawing inspiration from the streets and infused with a distinctive, quirky visual style reminiscent of the great Basquiat and Picasso. As a multimedia painter, Walls brings his canvases to life, where each stroke gives birth to unique geometric characters radiating, dripping, and bending with an electrifying energy. Artistic lineage courses through Walls’ veins, notably through his uncle, Bill Dandridge, a revered artist and activist hailed as “the Father of Arts and Culture in the City of Chester.” This familial legacy and the call for justice through art have propelled Walls to dedicate his life’s work to continuing his uncle’s legacy, using art as a catalyst for the metamorphosis of Chester. Walls’ artistic inspiration delves deep into thematic and ideological realms, drawing wisdom from teachers, courage from change-makers, and passion from activists. Through his art, Walls molds and textures the often-overlooked culture of his community, breathing life into narratives that demand recognition. Beyond his role as an artist, Walls proudly dons the hats of an entrepreneur and community activist. His commitment to creating accessible, community-based art spaces and programs materialized in the founding of The Artist Warehouse in downtown Chester—a living testament to his uncle’s enduring legacy. Walls actively forges collaborations with the PA Humanities Council, Swarthmore College, Widener University, local businesses, and nonprofits, seamlessly bridging the gap between art and education. But Walls isn’t content with limiting his impact to Chester alone. His passion for art and social justice has propelled him onto the global stage. From the vibrant streets of Ghana to the eclectic neighborhoods of Chicago, from the heart of Pennsylvania to the soulful beats of Cuba, Miami, Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, Walls takes his transformative message worldwide. He empowers communities, demonstrating the art of building careers and fostering an arts economy, particularly in places often overlooked and abandoned. In Walls’ vision, art isn’t just a medium of expression; it’s a catalyst for economic stimulation. His resounding motto, “If it’s not there, build it. If you cannot build it, build the team that can. Most of all, let’s build something impossible together.” His influence extends far beyond galleries and museums, reaching a diverse array of collectors—from celebrities to budding enthusiasts—captivated by the dynamic force of his work.
Yaw Nyarko, Professor of Economics, New York University (NYU); Director, NYU Africa House/CTED; Co-Director, NYU Development Research Institute
NYU Africa House and CTED African Art Collections
NYU Africa House in affiliation with Professor Nyarko's Center for Technology Economic Development (CTED) work together to bring artistic communities across borders in celebration of African cultural heritage. The Africa House holds over 75 African artworks from across the continent thanks to our generous donors. This collection brings deeper cultural awareness to our New York community of scholars through our event programming and conservation workshops that have been held in conjunction with the collection. This celebration of cultural heritage at Africa House has also traversed borders and seas to inspire similar preservation projects at the CTED offices in Ghana. Under Professor Nyarko's guidance, CTED has worked with the local Kumawu community to open a network of museums and other cultural or natural heritage sites in order to preserve and share Ghanaian heritage with visitors. Our team is eager to bring the collections in Ghana and New York into conversation with each other in the goal of greater visibility for artistic Africans' pasts, presents, and futures. Learn more about the collections.
Kumawu Museum Network developed by NYU CTED
Photo descriptions (above): NYU CTED Ghana Art Gallery, art display at NYU CTED, Bodwease Palace Museum, Kumawu Palace Museum, Bodwease Palace Museum, Bodomase Palace Museum artifacts.