Cornelius Annor

Overview

The idea of my work is to flatten time, space, and location. I don't want to only depict images of my family, I want to also depict that of other families. I want everyone to see their family in my work.

Cornelius Annor is a figurative painter depicting everyday life, often departing from childhood memories and family history.

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Works

Cornelius Annor
Women Affairs, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
152 x 121 cm
59 7/8 x 47 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Mr Hello, 2022
fabric collage, fabric transfer and acrylic on canvas
78 x 76 x 4 cm
30 3/4 x 29 7/8 x 1 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Adanfo pa, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
182.6 x 121.4 cm
71 7/8 x 47 3/4 in
Cornelius Annor
Tuntum, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
183 x 121 cm
71 7/8 x 47 3/4 in
Cornelius Annor
Adjoa Adobea, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
211 x 151 cm
83 1/8 x 59 1/2 in
Cornelius Annor
Guiness Time Writing Time, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
diptych, overall :
152 x 210 cm
59 7/8 x 82 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Reflection, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
151.5 x 121 cm
59 5/8 x 47 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
A Bold Gaze, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
182 x 121 cm
71 5/8 x 47 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Sika k)k)) baa - the Golden Lady, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
182 x 121 cm
71 5/8 x 47 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Mr. Joachim, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
210 x 151 cm
82 5/8 x 59 1/2 in
Cornelius Annor
Tena ase dwen - sit and think, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
211 x 151 cm
83 1/8 x 59 1/2 in
Cornelius Annor
“The younger generation” Or Akyiremma, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
151 x 121 cm
59 1/2 x 47 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Kwame photooo, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
151 x 212 cm
59 1/2 x 83 1/2 in
Cornelius Annor
A Mother's Comfort, 2022
acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
151 x 212 cm
59 1/2 x 83 1/2 in
Cornelius Annor
Shadow Behind, 2022
fabric collage, fabric transfer and acrylic on canvas
151.5 x 121.5 x 4 cm
59 5/8 x 47 7/8 x 1 5/8 in
Cornelius Annor
A Night with Osibisa, 2021
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
541 x 386.1
213 x 152 inches
Cornelius Annor
Y3 hwehw3 Dwanek)bea, 2021
acrylic and fabric transfer on canvas
213 x 152 cm
83 7/8 x 59 7/8 in
Cornelius Annor
"KasaSere" (whisperandsmile), 2021
fabric collage, fabric transfer, and acrylic on canvas
183 x 122 cm
72 1/8 x 48 1/8 in
Cornelius Annor
Anuanom, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
183 x 143 cm
72 1/8 x 56 1/4 inches
Cornelius Annor
Abusua paynin, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
119 x 127 cm
46 7/8 x 50 inches
Cornelius Annor
Black Love, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
136 x 150 cm
53 1/2 x 59 1/8 inches
Cornelius Annor
Let's Dance, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
148 x 190 cm
58 1/4 x 74 3/4 inches
Cornelius Annor
Black Doll, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
105 x 144 cm
41 3/8 x 56 3/4 inches
Cornelius Annor
Anigye Da, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
203 x 149 cm
79 7/8 x 58 5/8 inches
Cornelius Annor
A Night in 1957, 2020
Acrylic, fabric and fabric transfer on canvas
196 x 142 cm
77 1/8 x 55 7/8 inches

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Biography

Because most of the positive images of black people focuses on the African-American story, I would like what I am creating right now to depict positive imagery of Africa and Ghana. I want people to change their view about our beautiful continent.

Incorporating objects and clothes from different periods of time, Annor plays with history and temporality in his compositions. His paintings can be seen as a hypothetical writing of history, merging elements from both his family and friends’ archive, from the past and present. While some of the photographic source materials were taken during family events, others refer to the West-African tradition of taking seated portraits at a photo studio. The studio setting in this context was created to evoke a certain middle-class status, reminiscent of photographs by renowned Nigerian photographer Samuel Fosso and the Malian photographer Malick Sidibé. While there...

Inspired by the British/Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare’s work which utilises traditional wax fabrics, the textiles and their motifs found in Annor's paintings refer both to his West African heritage and personal archive, adding a more intimate overtone. His unique fabric transfer method—in which it is imposed on the canvas for several hours—leaves a faded effect, visually metaphorizing the absence of context from the photographs he uses.

Another striking, stylistic element unique to Annor’s work is the disruption of depth and perspective. This is achieved both through his said signature fabric transfer method and the application of collage techniques where reality is distorted in order to tell his story. These collage-based references call to mind Derek Fordjour’s colourful, texture-heavy creations.

It was the death of Annor’s father that sparked his personal desire to reconnect with family members on that side. During the preparation of his own wedding, he realised the importance of his family’s archives which now provide an abundance of material for his paintings. Though viewers are unfamiliar with Annor’s subjects, they are engaged in retrieving their own family histories and memories.

Annor says about his practice: “For me archiving as an art form has the potential to open up discussions on lost and forgotten histories and its politics. I intend to bring into existence these past histories through my works as a way of creating a room of memory which can migrate my audience to a particular moment in time and reflect on themselves.”

Born and based in Accra, Ghana to a family of artists, Cornelius Annor started painting at a very young age, largely influenced by his sculptor father. He completed his studies in fine art at the Ghanatta Art and Design Institute, along with fellow alumni Amoako Boafo, and Otis Quiacoe and Kwesi Botchway, who collectively represent a vanguard of West African artists. Annor established ‘C.Annor studio’ in his hometown, a space dedicated to encouraging and supporting young talents and emerging artists. His work has been extensively exhibited throughout West Africa and in the United States, and recently was acquired by the Norton Museum of Art, Florida and the Brooklyn Museum, New York.

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Exhibitions