Obaatan 2021

Curator: Cornelius Annor's 2021 acrylic on canvas painting, titled "Obaatan", presents a powerful image of domestic life. It speaks to representation, care, and the contemporary African experience. Editor: Wow, this feels so incredibly warm and familiar, like stepping into someone's memory. The colors, even the sort of retro TV in the background... it's like a perfectly preserved moment. Curator: Indeed. Annor's choice to portray a mother with her children is significant. Historically, depictions of Black families have often been marginalized or rendered invisible. This painting becomes an act of reclamation, centering Black motherhood and familial bonds. We might think of Patricia Hill Collins' work on the "strong Black woman" and how images like these challenge stereotypes. Editor: Absolutely. And it's not just about representation, but also about intimacy. The tender way the mother holds the child—it feels incredibly real and touching. Also the color pallete calls my eye like candy to an toddler. Curator: Consider also the setting, the genre painting that seems like the home that is really accessible for black folks. Annor is not presenting us with idealized figures but with real people in their everyday environments, an insight on gender roles, economical struggles and motherhood. Editor: It’s almost like he’s freezing a specific narrative but letting it speak for an universal feel. Makes us wonder what's the child drinking? Are they watching TV? What does Obaatan mean?. These simple moments form the richness of lives, don't you agree?. Curator: Undoubtedly. “Obaatan” translates to "Mother" in Twi, a Ghanaian language. The deliberate use of this title underscores the central role of motherhood within the community. Editor: So, "Obaatan" becomes a potent reminder to look beyond the surface. To acknowledge the narratives, histories, and complexities that shape identity and belonging. Curator: Precisely. A beautiful moment and powerful depiction of domestic life, challenging existing representations and honoring Black motherhood.