Andrew Akufo Art Enterprise
Quality paintings, drawings, and more
About the Artist
Hello everyone,My name is Andrew Akufo. Welcome to my official artist's website. I have worked hard to provide you with information I believe will best inform of the kind of work I enjoy doing as a young artist. Please take the time to read over my information and check out the images available in the online gallery. I will try to update regularly as best as I can. Thank you very much, and God bless you!
Biography
Andrew Akufo recently, graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2012 with a BFA in Studio Art. Andrew had previously graduated from Rose State College, where he received the Teddy Roosevelt “Bully” Arts Scholarship as well as his Associate’s degree in 2009. He has an emphasis in Painting and minor in Art History. Andrew is very active exhibiting in numerous solo, group, and juried shows, including Afro Americana, Momentum Tulsa 2010, and MOREcolor among several others. His work has been featured in publications such as Persimmon Hill and the Oklahoman. He also has work in permanent collections such as the National Western Heritage Cowboy Museum and University of Central Oklahoma. Andrew has studied art in America, Italy, Hungary, and Slovenia. Represented by galleries in both Oklahoma and Arizona, Andrew continues to work on his Western series as well as commissions from his studio/gallery, Red Dirt Artists & Gallery.
Artist Statement
I have a broad range of subject matter I enjoy painting. My work encompasses sports illustration and still life to portraiture and landscapes. I easily get bored painting the same concept repetitively so I tend to switch the subject of my paintings often. My work has recently moved in the direction of painting Western landscapes and people. My travels to Arizona and internship experience, painting at the National Cowboy Miseum has led to me becoming fascinated by the Western culture of the Southwest U.S. I work to capture the beauty and scale of the plains and rocky deserts in my landscape paintings as well as the mood and story behind my Native American and cowboy portraiture. I use bright saturated colors of acrylics and oil paint to emphasize the vividness and contrast of value present in my compositions.
Current Position:
Professional Artist (2011-present), Andrew Akufo Art Enterprise, Del City, OK. Produce paintings, drawings, and murals.
Education:
BFA Studio Art, Painting emphasis, Art History minor, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, 2012
AA Rose State College, 2010
Solo Exhibitions:
"Portraits & Landscapes," Dennis r. Neill Equality Center, Tulsa, OK, 2012
"OU Presbyterian Tower Art Show," University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 2011
"Black/White Works," Cafe Americana, Edmond, OK, 2011
Selected Group Exhibitions:
"Central Oklahoma Capstone Exhibition," Individual Artists of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, 2012
"Afro Americana," Gaylord Pickens Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK, 2012
"UCO Student Art Association Juried Art Show," Edmond Fine Arts Institute, Edmond, OK, 2011
"Master Pieces," Underground Gallery @229, Whitesburg, Kentucky, 2011
"OSU-OKC Art Show," Graceful Arts Center, Alva, OK, 2011
"Pay At the Pump Gallery Show/Silent Auction," City Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 2010
"40 4 40 Rose State College Visual Arts Series," Rose State College, Midwest City, OK, 2010
"Rose State College Student Art Show," Rose State College, Midwest City, 2009, 2008
Selected Juried Exhibitions:
"MOREcolor Art Exhibition," Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Tulsa, OK, 2012, 2011
"International Arts Movement Small Works Auction," 611 Creative, Oklahoma City, OK 2011
"UCO SAAS Show," Oklahoma City Arts building, Oklahoma City, 2011
"Momentum Tulsa," Living Arts Gallery, Tulsa, OK, 2010
Awards and Grants:
Teddy Roosevelt "Bully" Art Scholarship, Rose State College, Midwest City, OK, 2009
Work and Other Professional Experience:
Mural Painting Internship, Palmer Studios, 2011
Gallery agent/coordinator, Red Dirt Artists & Gallery, 2012, 2011
Collections:
National Heritage Cowboy Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK
Work and Other Professional Experience:
Palmer Studios Inc. Mural Painting Internship
Gallery agent/coordinator, Red Dirt Gallery, 2011-2012
Gallery Representation:
Graceful Arts Center, 523 Barnes Street, Alva, Oklahoma 73717
Red Dirt Gallery Artists & Gallery, 13100 Colony Pointe Boulevard, Suite 113, Piedmont, Oklahoma 73078
Xanadu Gallery, 73039 E. Main Street #101, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Review of Exhibitions:
John Brandenburg. "Black Heritage Celebrated in 'Afro-American' Art Show," The Oklahoman, Jan 17, 2012.
Patricia Smith. "African American Art Exhibition at Gaylord-Pickens Museum," The Black Oklahoman, October 12, 2011.
http://www.blackoklahoman.com/archives/5312
Shalena Eaton. "UCO Art Students Create Mural At National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum,"
University of Central Oklahoma. May 16, 2011
Published Articles:
Robin Dorner. "OkEq First Thursday exhibit features the works of Andrew Akufo,"
The Gayly, April 29, 2012, p. 3
Robin Dorner. "OkEq Features Art of Andrew Akufo, Gayly.com, May 2012
Ben Luschen. "Gallery Opens Featuring UCO Artists," Vista. Aug. 22, 2011, p. 16
Carolyn Steelen. "Scene," Persimmon Hill. Summer 2011, p. 58-59
Gypsy Hogan. "Muralist Paint A Living Mural," Old North. Vol. 48, No. 1, Fall 2011, p 38-40
Tricia Pemberton. "Muralists Mimic Artwork of an Old West Master," Daily Oklahoman, May 3, 2011, p. 11
Professional Activities:
Curator, "Photo to Hyperealism: Works by Coy Johnson," Red Dirt Gallery, Piedmont, OK, 2012
Curator, "A Hometown Art Show: Kristen Vails," Red Dirt Gallery, Piedmont, OK, 2012
Curator, "Juried Student Show," Red Dirt Gallery, Piedmont, OK, 2011
Vendor, "Arts Trek," Mabee Gerrar Museum of Art, Shawnee, OK, 2011
Vendor, "UCO Jazz Festival," Edmond, OK, 2011
Vendor, "Home Show," Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, 2011
Professional or Academic Conferences:
2012 Oklahoma Center for Arts Education, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK