Limited-time Art Exhibit Featuring Works of Ghanaian Artists “Gospel” and Quarshie Tornu at Loews Hotel Atlanta, September 16 and September 17
One-of-a-kind artwork shipped from Ghana on display and available for purchase in Midtown
ATLANTA (September 8, 2023) - Loews Atlanta Hotel and Atlanta-based artist Lisa Kai Robinson will co-host a pop-up art exhibit featuring the works of Ghanaian artists Kwesi Atta Kakra Asiedu who goes by “Gospel” and Quarshie Tornu on Saturday, September 16 from 4 – 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 17 from 1 – 4 p.m. While the art exhibit is free to attend, advanced RSVPs are required as the space is limited. Advanced RSVPs can be made through this link: https://form.jotform.com/232343417543048
Robinson, an active figure in the Atlanta community and prominent realtor who recently began to explore her personal artistry through paint, joined a friend on an ancestorial trip to Ghana in June 2023. During their exploration of the capital city of Accra and other small towns along the coast, Robinson came across a visual artist who goes by “Gospel.” She learned that painting is not only his passion, but also his primary method of communication.
“My inspiration in painting is to bring out the bold and beautiful colors of my hometown, Elmina, and to show another side beyond the dark shadow of slavery,” explains Gospel. “We were a vibrant people before the Portuguese arrived and we have remained so, despite losing so many of our brothers and sisters to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.”
Gospel depicts the Ghanaian people in an array of captivating colors, patchwork and textures such as a woman cradling a child, where both are intertwined with flowers and patterns found throughout their natural landscape; townspeople adorned in their cultural attire, while seamlessly moving throughout their day; and a sea of tribesmen on horses ready for battle.
“When I saw his work and learned of his story, I was compelled to do something that brought his artistry to a wider audience and gain the recognition he deserves. His art needs to be shared,” said Robinson. “Loews Atlanta Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Midtown – the art and culture hub of the city – making it an easy and reliable location to host this meaningful exhibit.”
Gospel is a twin and the fourth child of eight from Elmina, Ghana – the same location as Elmina Castle. The notorious location was first established as a trade settlement, though later became one of the most pivotal stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade. His parents were hard-working fishers, though were unable to financially support his education past the sixth grade. He was drawn to paint, and began to apprentice with a Nigerian man Gospel refers to as Mr. Ape. After three years, Gospel began painting on his own and has been doing so for the past seven years. Now, his goal is to support others in his community through art education.
Quarshie Tornu is also a Ghanaian artist, sculptor and educator whose work has appeared internationally and currently at the National Museum of Ghana. Born in Accra, Ghana in 1974, he was educated at the Martech College of Arts, Ghanatta College of Art and Design, Oluwade Creative Art, Limpopo College of Arts and Shinlo Tiegio College of Art. He mentors young artists and works with creative communities to help them develop new ideas. Quarshie describes his style of working as seminal-abstract he creates images from his own imagination.
Quarshie says, “My inspiration as a painter comes from nature and environments, and the beauty of our rich Ghanaian and African culture. I believe art expresses everyday happiness, and so every painting of mine has a unique and rich story to tell. Life to me is meaningless without art or artist.”
A portion of the proceeds from this weekend’s art sales will support the Queen of Apostles Boarding School, a public Catholic primary boarding school for girls, in Elmina, Ghana.
A snapshot of the art that will be on display and available for purchase can be viewed, here.
Media contact
Ashley Svarney | Area Public Relations Director
Email: ashley.svarney@loewshotels.com
About Loews Atlanta Hotel
Loews Atlanta Hotel fuses southern hospitality, sophisticated style and luxury amenities within its 26-story, contemporary glass building amid Midtown’s architectural skyline. The hotel features 414 guestrooms including 44 suites; Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar – a southern-inspired restaurant and craft-cocktail lobby bar; Market Eleven, a grab-and-go market serving gourmet coffees and house-made pastries; more than 40,000 square feet of indoor function space, as well as a 4,800 square-foot terrace on the 14th floor; and Exhale – the city’s largest hotel spa and fitness facility with 15 treatment rooms, a co-ed Hammam and two fitness studios. Located in the heart of Midtown, Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhood, interior design details draw inspiration from the iconic cultural institutions located within blocks of the hotel’s front doors such as Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, the BeltLine, Fox Theater and Woodruff Arts Center. For more information and to book your next stay, visit https://www.loewshotels.com/atlanta-hotel. Connect with us on social media on Instagram and Facebook.
