Rufai Zakari
About:
Rufai Zakari (b.1990) is based between Accra and Bawku. He completed his apprenticeship under Mozzay, a senior artist in Nima, Accra. In 2011, Rufai Zakari graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art and Design. In his work, Zakari examines consumerism, environmental pollution, labour, trade, and the perils of industrialization in contemporary Ghanian Society. The founder of Rujab Eco-Art Foundation in his hometown of Bawku, Rufai Zakari bases his practise on the recycling of waste in the streets of Ghana. After decades of tribal conflict which took countless lives and left the city in ruins, Zakari is now looking to the future with optimism and a strong ambition to rebuild what has been lost, while inspiring hope in his community.
Solo exhibitions include an upcoming show at Gallery T293, Rome (2022); upcoming show at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2021).
Group exhibitions include More is More: Visual Richness in Contemporary Art, (Upcoming), Akron Art Museum, US; (2021); Devil’s in the Detail, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); This Exhibition is Untitled, Nubuke Foundation, Accra (2020); “CirculArt” Sustainable Art Exhibition by Eco Reward, Casa Trasacco Accra (2019); World Behind the Horizon Exhibition, Gess Gallery, Dusseldorf (2019); Sustainable Art Workshop, Merck Foundation, Dubai (2019); Sustainable Art Workshop, British High Commission, Accra (2018); Violence Against Women Exhibition. Alliance Francaise Accra (2018); “Yoomo Be Ga” Recycle Art Exhibition, Museum of Science and Technology, Accra (2017); Ghana Netherland Cultural Week Exhibition, Accra (2016); “African Champions” Mural in collaboration with (You Are For Africa), Lagos (2015).
Highlights and Collections:
Rufai Zakari’s work is held in important private and public collections including Arthur Lewis Collection (US) Easton Capital/John Friedman Collection (US) Nubuke Foundation, (Ghana) The Beth Rudin Dewoody Collection (US) The Ditau Collection, (South Africa) Susan Goodman Collection; VG Collection.