(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions with Guest Curator Shantel Asante-Kissi presents Woven World: A Tapestry of Social Interconnectedness by Kwesi O. Kwarteng. The exhibition runs from Sunday, February 2 through Sunday, February 23, 2025. In Kwarteng's works, there is a deep exploration of Ghanaian traditional weaving practices, influenced by El Anatsui's monumental sculptures, the quilting artistry of 20th-century African Americans, and the abstract color field techniques of Sam Gilliam.
Kwarteng skillfully weaves discarded remnants and swatches into narratives that reflect his experiences growing up in Ghana and his journey as a teenage immigrant to the United States. Through his early challenges as an immigrant, he came to embrace the multifaceted nature of culture and the diversity of the immigrant experience in the Bronx, New York, and later in Newark, NJ.
“Woven World: A Tapestry of Social Interconnectedness explores the ways in which textile, color, and form impact identity, dialogue, and storytelling. The works convey a vastness of space and invite the audience to trust the journey, embracing the richness of the people encountered along the way,” says Curator Shantel Asante-Kissi.
The gallery will be open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Private viewings can be arranged by contacting [email protected].
A public reception will be held on Sunday, February 2nd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and an artist talk is scheduled for Saturday, February 8th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Ghanaian-born and Newark-based artist Kwesi O. Kwarteng is a multidisciplinary creator whose primary medium is textiles. His work explores identities shaped by the intersection of cultures. Drawing inspiration from his Ghanaian heritage, Kwarteng integrates the cultural significance of fabrics and colors—symbols of various life events and states of being—into his art.
As an immigrant in the United States, Kwarteng has developed a unique artistic language by combining traditional Ghanaian textiles with hand-dyed fabrics to craft abstract, dynamic pieces. His work investigates migration trajectories, shares histories, and reveals the intricacies and beauty of multiculturalism. Kwarteng’s art fosters social cohesion, inclusion, and global interconnectedness, serving as a counterpoint to the racial tensions and social divisions that persist in the U.S. and beyond.
Kwarteng earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His work is held in private collections worldwide. He is currently an artist-in-residence at the Silver Arts Project, a prestigious 10-month residency at the World Trade Center in New York City that supports artists in expanding their practice and amplifying their impact.
Accessibility - Large-print materials and tactile, descriptive tours are available upon request. For more information, please contact Andrea McKenna at [email protected].
Art House Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is located at 345 Marin Boulevard in Jersey City, New Jersey. It is dedicated to advancing the performing and visual arts in Jersey City. Through theater productions, visual art exhibitions, and community programs, Art House fosters creativity and accessibility in all forms.
Art House Productions is grateful for support from Hudson County Cultural Affairs, the Exchange Place Alliance, NJ State Council on the Arts, HDSID, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Jersey City Health and Human Services, Panepinto Properties, Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, SILVERMAN, Super Buy Rite, Tito’s, and many other generous donors and sponsors.
