Five leading Ghanaian artists are launching their first major London exhibition entitled 'The Call' at La Galleria, Pall Mall London, from September 24th to October 2nd. Inspired by the ancient tradition of West Africa's rich cultural heritage, the show celebrates the importance of fifty years of Ghana's artistic expression since the country’s Independence from the UK, currently being celebrated around the world this year.

The show is entitled “The Call” which honours an ancient Ghanian Tradition using specific drumbeats and patterns to inform or 'call' the community together. The paintings will visually celebrate how art has been a medium through which Ghana carved out an identity for itself after its struggle and acquisition of Independence.

The Private View will also host internationally renowned master percussionist, Okyerema Asante, who has performed with Fleetwood Mac and Paul Simon at Wembley.

'The Call' will also introduce five established Ghanaian artists to London including Sami Bentil, Wiz Kudowor, Nii T Mills, Rikki, and Glen Turner. The drive for the show has come from a leading collector of West African art, Zetha Annan.

Mrs Annan commented, 'Art is integral to a country’s identity and well being, and as people will see, Ghana is thriving and creative. I am very honoured to raise my country’s artistic work to a higher profile in London and share our passions with a wider audience.'

The show will also raise funds for three leading charities - Wellbeing of Women, DWIB Leukaemia Trust and Spirituality for kids.

Acclaimed as a leading Ghanian artist, Sami Bentil is a prestigious painter whose work has received great recognition and acclaim in Ghana and internationally. Sami is noted for his use of Pointilism and inspiration by Surrealism in his work.

Studying under Kofi Antubam, who taught him that art was a tool for bringing people together, Sami has drawn on this philosophy through out his career, including in his works for the Ghanaian government to celebrate the country's silver jubilee, which is now on permanent display at the Museum of Ghana, Accra. His work has been exhibited in the United States, England, Switzerland, and Germany and is widely collected in Europe, West Africa, and North America.

Wiz Kudowor - described by many as a 'trans-cultural visionary', his works are widely held in both private and public collections worldwide. His works draw on and pushes beyond fixed spaces and explores how art can help give understanding of universal truths. Wiz has designed many major public works in Ghana including a relief mural at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Accra, capital of Ghana.

Glen Turner is a self-taught artist. He began painting at a very early age and originally trained as a professional photographer. He currently practices his art on a full-time basis in Accra. He has taken part in numerous collective exhibitions both in Ghana and abroad including ARTE FIERA Bologna, Italy (1998). He has had personal exhibitions both in Ghana and abroad including Skoto Gallery, New York, 1985 & 1996, Yequa Gallery, London, 1996 and the Italian Cultura Institute, Accra, Ghana.

Nii T. Mills has a BA in Art from KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. A leading Ghanaian artist, he has had many exhibitions, including: Interaction, a travelling exhibition by Studio Club Artists in various Ghanaian cities, 1992-96; Different Colours, International (PAINT), National Theatre, Accra, 2002; Different Shades, exhibition by PAINT, Loom Gallery, Accra, 2002 and Nubuke, contemporary African Art exhibitions, organised by Blackswan, London, UK, 2004.

September 24th to October 2nd
La Galleria
5b Pall Mall
Royal Opera Arcade
London SW1Y 4UY
+44 (0)20 7930 8069