Hamid Nii Nortey
Hamid Nii Nortey (Accra, 1987) is a self-taught artist based in Accra, Ghana.
Nortey developed his interest in painting as a pupil in Mandla Dada basic school in Accra, and stood witness to the city’s considerable transformation from then on.
His compelling and colorful figurative paintings delve into Ghana and the continents fast evolving social landscape shedding a light onto its diverse social classes, as well as the resulting generational developments.
Nortey’s works are characterized by his signature cross hatching technique which he applies onto the skins of his figures. Contrasting the artist’s broad and smooth Impressionist colour palette, from sienna brown to burnt sienna, the close-knit parallel lines, varying in spacing and width, create a rough, loose organic texture, conveying the at once visual and tactile qualities of natural skin.
Starting from meticulous and playful sketches, his portraits grow into lifelike, and lively, visual impressions. He reflects upon his engagement with architectural structures to create sceneries of different composition, modern home decor and different image perspectives that resonate and compel his viewers to be physically and emotionally invested in the subjects story.
Among the solo shows in wich his works have been exhibited: Faith Strangers, Galerie Lisa Kandlhofer, Wien, 2022; For My Sisters, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2022.
Among his group exhibitions: Emergence, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2022; Summer Collection, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2021.
Hamid Nii Nortey (Accra, 1987) is a self-taught artist based in Accra, Ghana.
Nortey developed his interest in painting as a pupil in Mandla Dada basic school in Accra, and stood witness to the city’s considerable transformation from then on.
His compelling and colorful figurative paintings delve into Ghana and the continents fast evolving social landscape shedding a light onto its diverse social classes, as well as the resulting generational developments.
Nortey’s works are characterized by his signature cross hatching technique which he applies onto the skins of his figures. Contrasting the artist’s broad and smooth Impressionist colour palette, from sienna brown to burnt sienna, the close-knit parallel lines, varying in spacing and width, create a rough, loose organic texture, conveying the at once visual and tactile qualities of natural skin.
Starting from meticulous and playful sketches, his portraits grow into lifelike, and lively, visual impressions. He reflects upon his engagement with architectural structures to create sceneries of different composition, modern home decor and different image perspectives that resonate and compel his viewers to be physically and emotionally invested in the subjects story.
Among the solo shows in wich his works have been exhibited: Faith Strangers, Galerie Lisa Kandlhofer, Wien, 2022; For My Sisters, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2022.
Among his group exhibitions: Emergence, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2022; Summer Collection, Christopher Moller Gallery, Cape Town, 2021.