2024
embroidery on velvet
100 x 100 cm
Estimate: €15,000 – 20,000
Record: €62,000
Rita Mawuena Benissan is a Ghanaian-American interdisciplinary artist. Presented at the exhibition, the artwork is part of the Wisdom from Above series. It draws inspiration from Aaron Douglas, the renowned Harlem Renaissance artist, and incorporates stylistic elements reminiscent of his work. Having spent much of her life in the United States, this piece is a way of honouring her beginnings and acknowledging the artistic influences that continue to shape her practice.
Like many of her tapestries, this work explores themes of identity and place. The undefined figures invite open interpretation, allowing viewers to see themselves within the imagery. Traditional symbols are woven into the composition, including the linguist staff—an emblem of authority and significance in chieftaincy.
Rita collaborates with traditional umbrella makers in Kumasi—the artisans who continue to craft ceremonial umbrellas for Ghana’s royal houses. Through intricate embroidery on canvas, these figures are brought to life, blending historical symbolism with contemporary storytelling. This craftsmanship bridges past and present, reinforcing the enduring relevance of royal iconography while expanding its meaning in new ways.
Rita Mawuena Benissan (b. 1995) is a Ghanaian-American artist, who seeks to redefine the Ghanaian royal umbrella, transforming it from a simple protective object into a powerful symbol of identity. Benissan’s work has received international recognition, with exhibitions at renowned institutions in the United States, South Africa, Germany, and Ghana. In 2025, Rita Mawuena Benissan presented her first museum exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA – Museum of Contemporary Art in Cape Town (South Africa) – the largest museum dedicated to contemporary African art. In the same year she participated in the 2025 edition of Sharjah biennial (UAE).
