African Expressionist Painting, "Welcome"

Her bright smile illuminates this canvas by artist Nii Dodoo. He depicts an adolescent girl surrounded by images from everyday life in Ghana. Named Akwaaba – "Welcome" in the Akan language – the work captures her emotions. "My painting describes the excitement that comes along with growth and freshness. It welcomes the girl child into womanhood through the experience of joy, growth and fertility," the artist explains.