The Textile Art of Zohra Opoku: Between Accra and Spreewald
Opoku’s art includes a photograph of her childhood self at her grandparents' Spreewald farm, reflecting on how her early life shaped her identity amid challenges related to race and beauty standards. Her current series draws on the 1940s "Doll Tests," examining the psychological effects of segregation on African American children and involves workshops in Accra where children create dolls to affirm their identity.
The artist describes how her parents' story and her own experiences influenced her decision to become an artist, integrating themes of belonging and identity into her work. She uses textiles to express touch, memory, and tradition, incorporating both local and personal materials. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019, Opoku developed the Myth of Eternal Life series during treatment in Berlin and an artist residency in Dakar. This series, which she views as her most significant work, explores her fears of death and reflects her spiritual and artistic growth.
Excerpted text written by Von Maxi Broecking for Tagesspiegel.
