KWAME AKOTO “ALMIGHTY GOD ART WORKS”, born in 1950
Kumasi, Ghana

Dancing Adowa at a funeral celebration, Adum Kumasi
Dancing Adowa at a funeral ceremony, Adum Kumasi
Circa 2000/2005.

Alkyd paint on plywood with wooden framing strips, 107 x 60 cm.
Signed “Almighty God Art Works” Kumasi Ghana on recto/verso.
Bibliography: Kwame Akoto, Almighty God Art Works. Exhibition catalogue Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. Fondation Antoine de Galbert. Empire books, 2026. Related work: back cover and page 10, later renditions of the same subject less accomplished.

The Adowa is a traditional dance of the Ashanti people performed by women during cultural ceremonies, particularly funerals but also engagements and other celebrations. The dancer communicates her emotions, positive or negative depending on the circumstances, through her foot and hand movements, each gesture having a highly codified meaning. The dancer depicted is a mature woman with a very compelling presence. Her closed eyelids indicating her concentration and the rendering of her movements are particularly well expressed.
Adum is a district of Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti people. Since the identity of the deceased is not specified, this is probably not the funeral of a figure playing a particularly important role in society.