The Wisdom of the Ancients IV - 2024
Acrylic on Canvas | 60 x 90 cm (24 x 36 inches)
From Hawa-Jane, the Artist :
"For much of my life, I had only a limited understanding of Africa’s history. Growing up and being educated in the West, I wasn’t taught about the richness of my heritage. Instead, my perceptions were shaped by what I saw in popular media, which left me with little sense of the depth and complexity of my ancestors’ contributions to the world.
It wasn’t until I returned to Africa that I began to truly educate myself. I discovered that Africa is home to more ancient scripts than any other continent, some dating back thousands of years and sharing roots with the hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt.
My painting Wisdom of the Ancient embodies this truth. It depicts a powerful African woman emerging from history’s shadows, accompanied by the Bassa Vah Script—a written language from over 500 years ago, used in what is now Sierra Leone and Liberia. 'Vah' means 'to throw sign,' originating as marks on leaves or tree bark and evolving into a sophisticated language that helped the Bassa people communicate and evade slave traders. Though nearly lost during colonial times, its legacy survives in fragments today.
The inability to read Bassa Vah in this painting reflects the extent of what has been lost. Yet, this work is not only a reflection on the past but also a call to reclaim what remains, a reminder that our history is ours to uncover, honor, and celebrate."
Shipping:
- Ships in a tube from Sierra Leone with international courier with online tracking option.
- Shipping Cost included in the price.
- Standard international shipping of 12 business days after receipt of National Gallery approval paper to ship the artwork (24 hours).
Payment Options: Secure payments are processed with encryption and fraud protection (Visa, MasterCard, PayPal).
Returns: 7-day please refer to our return policy.
Documents Provided: Certificate of authenticity in the buyer's name or any other name provided by the buyer.
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About the artist
Hawa-Jane Bangura, a visionary artist from Sierra Leone, seamlessly blends traditional and digital art to challenge narratives and redefine African representation. With a rich academic background in art studies from the UK and USA, combined with a successful legal career in New York, she brings a distinctive perspective to her creative journey.
Her acclaimed “Black Athena” series reimagines Greek and Roman goddesses as African women, inspired by theories about the African origins of ancient civilizations. This transformative work exemplifies her ability to challenge stereotypes and celebrate African identity. Additionally, Hawa-Jane is active in the NFT space, collaborating with collectives like 1mA and Cyberbaat, where she explores new creative dimensions and merges physical and digital art.
In 2013, she co-founded The Barray Art Collective, an initiative dedicated to revitalizing Sierra Leone’s art scene after the civil war. Through exhibitions in public art spaces in Freetown, she nurtures a vibrant community of artists and provides a platform for emerging talent.
Her art, which focuses on themes of Identity, African History, and Representation, spans acrylic and oil painting, as well as installations and sculptures designed to provoke thought and spark dialogue. Notably, her installations prioritize message over commercial appeal, serving as powerful tools for engagement.
Based in Freetown, Hawa-Jane’s work has been exhibited in major cities, including London, New York, Paris, Dubai, and Dakar, and has been featured by Reuters and the BBC. She was also a finalist for "The 2024 African Women in Art Award," further cementing her influence and recognition in the art world.
MORE INFORMATION
Shipping:
- Packaging: Ships in a sturdy tube from Sierra Leone with an international carrier, ensuring safe delivery.
- Tracking: Includes online tracking options.
- Cost: Shipping cost is included in the price.
- Delivery Time: Standard international shipping takes 12 days.
- Artwork is shipped with a National Gallery approval paper, processed within 24 hours.
- Artwork Condition: Rolled canvas, ready to be stretched and framed upon arrival.
Returns: 7-day return policy.
Payment Options:
Secure payments are processed with encryption and fraud protection (Visa, MasterCard, Paypal).
Documents Provided:
- Authenticity: Certificate of authenticity in the buyer's name or any other name provided by the buyer.
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