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A street in James Town, Accra
A street in James Town, Accra

James Barnor’s photos on show in Accra

An exhibition of works by the pioneering Ghanaian photographer, James Barnor that forms part of Ghana @ 60 Celebrations is currently on display at the Archi Afrika Design and Architecture Gallery and the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

Put together by Archi Afrika and Everyoungjba Archives, photos on display at the Archi Afrika Gallery located at the famous James Town neighbourhood in Accra, partially focus on historical buildings and spaces in Accra, thereby rekindling the debate on preservation and conservation of such structures.

 

Sporting activities are included in the veteran photographer’s collections

Images of these iconic buildings, some of which still dot the city of Accra, undeniably bring nostalgic feelings to elderly members of the society, who recollect with zeal, life before and after independence period in Accra.

 

Barnor has always had a great sense of composition

In the process, Barnor forcefully reveals the architecture of the era, which is heavily steeped in colonial and post-colonial history. Consequently, he takes the viewer on a mute journey that equally brings memories of Ghana’s political, religious, cultural and social past.

 

Females feature a lot in Barnor’s photos

His works at the Mövenpick Hotel, which is being organised by The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa, comprise portraiture style pictures shot in Ghana and the United Kingdom as well as pictures from magazine covers.

Toddlers did not escape Barnor’s lenses

The photographs, which are more or less in domestic settings, manage to avoid the exotica and tend to be in normal surroundings as witnessed by the upbeat and positive nature of his subjects.

 

A cute smile by the fuel tanker

Barnor began working in 1947 and set up Ever Young Photography studio in Accra. He has photographed members of his community and accepted commissions from the press and other organisations.

 

Young and pensive in African design

His early works captured major events before, during and after Ghana gained independence in 1957.

 

A street in James Town, Accra

He relocated to the United Kingdom in the 1960s and worked for Drum, a South African magazine, where he was credited with numerous cover images.

 

A dose of tradition for a visitor

 

The exhibition at Mövenpick Ambassador ends on Friday, March 31while the show at Archi Afrika Gallery ends on Friday, May 5.

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