Cubist Symbolic Acrylic Painting from West Africa, "Idiomatic Expression"

Combining a Cubist style with traditional West African symbology, Ghanaian artist Seth Korkordi Selom composes a compelling original painting. The colorful canvas is centered by a pair of African masks which are surrounded by various adinkra symbols. Adinkra symbols are visual icons used by the Asante peoples to convey a common belief or proverb. At the top left is nkyinkyim, a twisting zigzag motif that represents adaptability. Also featured in the painting are mate masie which means "what I hear, I keep", representing wisdom; and ese ne tekrema, "the teeth and the tongue", which represents friendship and strength in unity.