Contemporary Art Matters is pleased to present Rufai Zakari: Souls That Once Lived, on view from July 18 to August 30, 2024.

In the Studio with: Rufai Zakari

Artist Statement Souls that Once Lived

Souls that Once Lived is a series of portraits that commemorate the tragic events of June 3, 2015, in Accra, Ghana. On this day, floods led to a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of approximately 154 Ghanaians, leaving countless others injured and displaced. This series aims to honor those who lost their lives and to inspire a broader conversation and reflection on the implications of our practices towards our environment.

These portraits are an attempt to capture the essence and spirit of the victims in the moments before the tragedy. Each face tells a story of hope, routine, and the simple expectation of returning home to loved ones after a long day’s struggle. The expressions and moods depicted are the artists’ interpretations of these individuals, it is meant to reflect the humanity and individuality of each person whose life was cut short.

As an artist committed to environmental protection and sustainability, Rufai seeks to explore the role that pollution, consumerism, and poor urban planning played in this disaster. This series highlights the urgent need for environmental conservation and the dire consequences of failing to address these critical issues. Through his work, the artist hopes to evoke empathy, raise awareness, and inspire change. The portraits are a testament to the lives lived and the potential futures stolen by preventable circumstances. Each portrait is created from single use plastic waste, originally sourced from local Ghanaian communities. The layered tiles are shaped, then stitched together with a sturdy gauge of thread throughout the canvas.

Souls that Once Lived is not just a memorial; it is a call to action. It urges viewers to reflect on the impact of our collective behaviors and to advocate for sustainable practices that honor the memory of those lost. By remembering these souls, we can strive to create a safer, more resilient future for all.

Rufai Zakari

Rufai Zakari is based between Accra and Bawku, Ghana. He completed his apprenticeship under Mozzay, a senior artist in Nima, Accra and graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art and Design. In his work, Zakari examines consumerism, environmental pollution, labor, trade, and the perils of industrialization in contemporary Ghanaian Society. The founder of Rujab Eco-Art Foundation in his hometown of Bawku, Zakari bases his practice on the recycling of waste in the streets of Ghana.

Rufai Zakari’s work can be found in important private and public collections. Solo exhibitions include San Luis Potosí Center for the Arts, Mexico City, Mexico; Contemporary Art Matters, Ohio; Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Gallery T293, Rome, Italy; Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, England.

Recent group exhibitions include Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, Florida; The Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio; 1-54 NYC, with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, New York, New York; Queretaro Contemporary Art Museum, Mexico; Kunstverein Wolfsburg,

Wolfsburg, Germany; Untitled Miami Beach, with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Miami, Florida; The Armory Show, The Breeder Gallery, New York, New York, and many more since 2014. Rufai Zakari’s work can be found in important private and public collections including Pizzuti Collection at Columbus Museum Of Art (US), Arthur Lewis Collection (US), Easton Capital/John Friedman Collection (US), Nubuke Foundation, (Ghana), The Bunker Artspace Museum (USA), The Ditau Collection (South Africa), Susan Goodman Collection (US), VG Collection, Akron Museum Collection (US), JOM Collection (Senegal), AMMA Foundation (Mexico), The Africa Centre Collection, London (UK).