“Spirit Possession: Celebration of Ghanaian Faces, African Culture, and Heritage” Exhibition at OCCCA
Mr. Thomas Fynn, a celebrated Ghanaian photographer, is showcasing the vibrant culture of Ghana and Africa in California through his exhibition “Spirit Possession: Celebration of Ghanaian Faces, African Culture, and Heritage.” Held at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) in Santa Ana from June 1 to June 29, 2024, this exhibition features themes ranging from historic monuments to ethno-cultural presentations. The event aims to highlight Ghana as a top tourist destination and promote cultural appreciation and economic growth.
The exhibition is a collaborative effort with Mr. Thomas Appleton Lamb, a U.S.-based landscape and ethnographic photographer, and Allyson Allen, a master African-American textile artist. It contrasts traditional Ghanaian fabrics with Allen’s contemporary textiles and forms part of the Juneteenth Celebration, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
The opening reception on June 1 attracted about 650 attendees. Prior to this, Fynn and Lamb showcased the exhibition in Accra, Ghana, from April 22 to April 26, 2024, drawing a diverse audience including government officials, traditional rulers, and art enthusiasts.
Fynn, a native of Moree in Ghana’s Central Region, is the Executive Director of FYNNexhibits and has dedicated his career to preserving and promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage. He has received numerous accolades, including the World Master Award in Arts and Culture in 2010. His long-term collaboration with Lamb began in 1990 with a USAID project in Ghana. The duo, with support from Ghanaian authorities, toured six regions of Ghana in 2023 to prepare for the OCCCA exhibition.