In NYC, Kojo Marfo, an artist based in London, showcases his new exhibition before dropping the ‘Strangers’ NFTs.
A collaboration involving a gallery in London and a Ghanaian artist is making its entrance in NYC, and soon in the Metaverse. On Wednesday, May 4th, JD Malat Gallery they launched their latest pop-up exhibition space located beneath the luxurious High Line park in Chelsea, Manhattan—arguably the hub for contemporary art. High Line Nine This marks the gallery’s inaugural exhibition in their new location, featuring around a dozen vibrant, large-scale portraits that the ‘Afroexpressionist’ artist has painted over the last year.
Gatekeepers of Heritage by Kojo Marfo According to a press statement, 'The unique figures depicted in Marfo’s art draw inspiration from traditional Akan fertility dolls and other Ghanaian symbols, blended with a modern look influenced by his experiences in the NYC street art and graffiti scene of the 1990s.' Marfo's distinctive approach will
be further highlighted on May 15th with a significant release of 5,555 digital NFTs that he calls 'Strangers.' debut on the Ethereum blockchain 'Strangers' NFT, credit to the artist.
Marfo's upcoming NFTs aren’t meant to overshadow his physical artworks on display in Chelsea; instead, they are designed to complement them. 'I aim to eliminate the distinction between physical creations and digital art, fostering a relationship that intertwines both worlds,' he stated. 'I view the NFTs as an extension of my physical creations and a natural evolution into the digital space.'
The launch of 'Strangers' enhances Marfo’s ambition to boost connection and foster cultural understanding. Crafting a painting requires countless hours of dedicated effort. The innovative algorithm used here amalgamates recognizable aspects of Marfo’s art such as bold colors, intricate hand gestures, and profound gazes into unique digital portraits, enabling him to create an astonishing 5,555 artworks rapidly—a number chosen to reflect his appreciation for the digit 5, which symbolizes unity, peace, and strength, according to Marfo.
Each piece synthesized by the algorithm embodies distinct traits of real strangers that Marfo has encountered. 'I seek qualities in people that reveal their unique and extraordinary beauty,' the artist remarked. 'The characteristics of those whom I’ve met are infused into each of these strangers. They are all my cherished strangers.'
By increasing the number of artworks, Marfo expands his artistic mission as he 'bridges the gap between his vivid portrayals and the challenges faced by a Ghanaian artist trying to thrive in the West,' as noted in the release about the NFT drop. He believes art serves as a medium to inspire connections across different cultures. His creations aim to shed light on 'social issues, including inequality, religion, politics, and spirituality.'
'The Strangers series pays homage to the remarkable individuals I’ve encountered, prompting me to consider allocating some of the proceeds to assist those in considerably tougher situations than mine — such as children’s charities and organizations supporting disadvantaged individuals and single parents,' Marfo shared. 'I'll keep the names of these charities confidential until I make the contributions.'
In the interim, there will be a whitelist available for the NFT drop on May 15th through
. Sales on the secondary market will follow on Opensea at a later date. Stay informed via the Strangers’ website . Those interested in viewing the tangible paintings that form the foundation of this forthcoming series, Gatekeepers of Heritage, will be displayed at 507 West 27th Street in NYC until Saturday, June 4th. Twitter Here’s a view of the exhibition, Gatekeepers of Heritage. Credit to JD Malat Gallery.
Read related posts:
- SuperRare is set to launch a physical gallery.
- An attorney accused of misleading the crypto community has been called out by internet investigators.
- Please keep in mind that the information presented on this page is not meant to substitute legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is crucial to invest only what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial counsel if there are any uncertainties. For more details, we recommend checking the terms and conditions and the help section provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost strives for accurate, impartial reporting; however, market conditions may change without prior notice.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines Vittoria Benzine, based in Brooklyn, is an art writer and personal essayist who focuses on contemporary art within human contexts, counterculture, and chaos magic. She contributes to publications like Maxim, Hyperallergic, Brooklyn Magazine, and others.
