St Hugh’s is delighted to announce that we will be extending the exhibition of Oxford-based artist, Annan Affotey. Due to popular demand, we will continue to exhibit this artist’s selection of work in the College’s Hamlin Gallery until Sunday 4th December. “My Complexion” will run daily, 10.00am-6.00pm. Entry is free of charge, and all are welcome.
Annan navigates Black identity through portraiture. His paintings focus on women and men of colour with vibrant dark skin and soul filled, red eyes. He surrounds his figures in negative space allowing each subject to tell their own story. Affotey’s paintings highlight the nuances of facial expression and examine a story that goes beyond surface level.
Annan was born in 1985 and graduated from Ghanatta College of Art and Design in 2007 with a degree in Drawing & Painting. In 2013, Annan helped found the African Young Artist Organization (AYAO), a group dedicated to supporting African youth in the arts through education and exhibitions.
His paintings are influenced by two main factors: growing up in the presence of strong women and the cultural diversity he’s experienced through living in Ghana, Europe and the United States. The combination of these experiences brings a diverse narrative to his work, exploring the nuanced stories and meanings behind his subjects’ faces and bodies.
Annan brings everyday experiences into intensely colourful, textured and expressive compositions. Earlier this year he had solo exhibitions at Ronchini Gallery in London and Danny First’s Cabin in Los Angeles. His work has also been exhibited in New York City, London, Miami and Accra.
Below are images of some of the artwork that will be on display at St Hugh’s. A parallel exhibition of Annan’s work is also taking place at Gallery 1957 in London, until 1st December.
