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About the artist
The work of William Kwamena-Poh shares and introduces the viewer to Africa and people of African descent." Being from Ghana,West Africa. I find it very important to share a part of me that I know very well and other areas that we can journey together and discover more about the threads that bind us, that makes us unique, different and hopefully we can learn a little more about why we are here." Kwamena-Poh, who has lived in Washington,D.C., Chicago, and currently residing in Savannah , has built a strong reputation nationwide and internationally. His works have graced the walls of T.V. sitcoms, Corporate and Private collections.
William's work has been used as set decorations for shows such as "The Cosby Show"(NBC), "Baby Talk"(ABC), "Roc Live"(FOX), "Martin"(FOX), "In The House"(NBC), "South Central"(FOX), "Moesha"(WB) and "Living Single"(FOX)
Corporate Collectios include; Disney Corporation, CA., Amoco Corporation, Chicago,IL., Black Entertainment Television, Washington,D.C., Luster Products, Chicago,IL., Pryor, McClendon & Counts, Chicago,IL., City of Milwaukee,WI., and DuSable Museum, Chicago,IL.
Private Collectors Include Actress Angela Basset, Actor and Director Forrest Whitaker, Tim Hardaway, NBA Player, Adonole Foyle, NBA Player, Harry Brandt Ayers, Anniston Star, Anniston, AL., Joseph Gayles, Past President, Talladega College, Talladega,AL., Dr.Karen Nash, DDS, Chicago, IL., Charles Wethington, Past President, University of Kentucky,Lexington, KY., Paul Amamoo, MD, Birmingham. Clifton Latting, MD, Birmingham.
Kwamena-Poh came to America in 1980, when his father accepted a Fulbright Scholarship to teach at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1984, William began criss-crossing the country showcasing his work and building a better bridge between African and American cultures.
"I see myself as a designer. I take little puzzles and fit them together colorfully to get across a better message of Africa to people. Color is a very good tool to do this. In my opinion, I think design is an even better tool. To have both and be able to utilize them well, I enhance and improve my artistic communication with all people," he said.
Kwamena-Poh spent a year in Washington, D.C. where he worked in an art gallery in the Adams Morgan district. There, he had the opportunity to meet some wonderful artists and examine their works, which helped him improve his ideas and hone his talents. Kwamena-Poh has been invited to numerous juried art shows and has received awards, including:
Award of Excellence, 2000, Lighthouse Center for the Arts Fine Art Festival, Jupiter, Fla.
Award of Merit, 2000, Sunfest, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Award of Excellence, 2000, Zora Neale Hurston Art Festival, Eatonville, Fla.
Award of Excellence, 1999, Zora Neale Hurston Art Festival, Eatonville, Fla.
Award of Distinction, 1999, Sunfest, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Award of Excellence, 1998, Lighthouse Center for the Arts Fine Art Festival, Jupiter, Fla.
Honorable Mention, 1998, State Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, Mich.
First Place - Watercolor, 1997, Cocoa Village Art Show, Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Sand Dollar Award - Graphics, 1996, Boardwalk Art Fair, Virginia Beach, Virg.
Third Place - Graphics, 1996, Cherry Creek Art Festival, Denver, Colo.
Purchase Award - Prudential, 1996, New East Side, Chicago.
Best of Show, 1996, New East Side, Chicago.
Purchase Award - Ford Motors, 1994, Detroit Festival of the Arts, Detroit, Mich.
Honorable Mention, 1991, Affaire in the Gardens, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Gold Palette Award, 1987, DuSable Museum, Chicago. | |
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