(NEWARK, NJ) -- Akwaaba Gallery is honored to present "WOMANHOOD: Woman 'Hood'," a solo exhibition by Ghanaian artist Stephen Abban Junior, from December 6, 2025 through February 27, 2026 at Akwaaba Gallery. This is an exploration of concealment and revelation - the unseen narratives of women's roles in shaping society's economic, cultural, and environmental fabric. Through three distinct bodies of work, Abban unveils the hidden labor, wisdom, and influence of women, illuminating their impact in spaces often overlooked or understated.
The exhibition examines the hood as both a literal and symbolic covering—one that veils secrets, untold stories, and unrecognized contributions. Within this conceptual framework, Abban’s practice traverses materiality, storytelling, and symbolism to render the invisible visible, allowing audiences to engage deeply with the quiet power and resilience of women across generations and geographies.
Abban says "I feel incredibly proud and fulfilled about my solo exhibition at Akwaaba Gallery—a space whose name carries the symbolic Akan greeting “Akwaaba,” meaning welcome, warmth, and good reception."
"This exhibition marks the culmination of years of dedication to my craft, my culture, and my artistic growth. Seeing my works thoughtfully displayed fills me with deep gratitude—for the opportunity itself and for everyone who has supported my journey.
I am equally inspired. Witnessing how my art resonates with others has strengthened my confidence to keep telling stories that honor my heritage and connect with the wider African and Diaspora experience. Above all, this moment motivates me to continue evolving, creating, and sharing my vision with the world the hidden narratives."
In the “Bobo” series, Abban turns his focus to women’s role in environmental stewardship, highlighting their innovative practice of upcycling discarded household and commodity materials. These works embody resourcefulness and ecological consciousness, reflecting how women transform waste into sustenance—acts of preservation that assert an unspoken authority over sustainability and the survival of community.
The “Wurawura foɔ” series shifts the narrative to the microeconomic strength of women in Ghana’s rural farming communities—specifically, the market women of Beposo. Through textured forms and vivid depictions, Abban honors these women as pillars of food production and distribution, their endurance and negotiation sustaining both households and economies. Their labor, though often unseen, becomes the heartbeat of rural prosperity.
In “Mmɛbusɛm,” Abban invokes the proverbial wisdom that shapes moral and cultural identity. Just as proverbs mold the ethical fabric of a community, so too do women nurture and refine the character of future generations. These works serve as visual proverbs—meditations on heritage, guidance, and the profound ways women transmit culture and values.
“Woman ‘Hood’ does not simply tell stories; it unveils them,” says curator Laura Bonas Palmer, Director of Akwaaba Gallery. “Through Stephen Abban Junior’s lens, we’re invited to peer beneath the veil—to witness the quiet strength, creativity, and continuity that define womanhood in its truest form.”
There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, December 6th from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the gallery.
Akwaaba Gallery is located at 509 South Orange Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public.
Stephen Abban Junior is a Ghanaian contemporary artist whose work examines cultural identity, social narratives, and the intersection of tradition and modernity. His practice blends painting, mixed media, and conceptual storytelling to elevate overlooked voices—particularly those of women in African societies. Abban’s works have been exhibited internationally, earning recognition for their depth, sensitivity, and symbolic power.
Located in Newark’s historic West Ward, Akwaaba Gallery is a contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing diverse artistic voices and fostering cultural dialogue through visual art. Founded by Laura Bonas Palmer, the gallery champions underrepresented artists and connects Newark’s vibrant community with global expressions of creativity and cultural resilience.
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