Artist burns works
worth 10.5 million dollars
Artist burns
works worth 10.5 million dollars
Accra (Greater Accra) 15 January
2001
Zima Ma-Nyenzi, a Ghanaian artist,
on Thursday night, burnt three of his masterpieces estimated at about 10.5
million dollars, at a short ceremony at Teshie, dubbed 'Fire Day'.
The artist appealed to Journalists
not to disclose his identity and reasons for the ceremony until an appointed
time, probably within the year.
The only reason he provided is
that the items were to be destroyed "as part of a silent message to the
world."
Zima in a similar fashion burned
24 of his masterpieces, valued at 72 million dollars last year.
One of the oil paintings that Zima
burnt depicts human life and a scene from the Aburi Botanical Gardens.
He arranged the
"priceless" paintings, two of which are about 32 by 22 inches and the
other one 18 by 36 inches, poured gallons of kerosene on them, surrounded them
with dry grass and set them on fire.
The sadness was further hyped as
the beautiful paintings were burnt into ashes in the presence of some
Journalists invited for the night.
Zima, who has been described in
many circles as probably the greatest living African artists, convinced his
guests that his unprecedented action is a carefully considered one.
He describes the night, "as a
moment for sober reflection and of great mystery, which will serve as a prelude
to Passion Day."
He said the mystery surrounding
the burning of the paintings would be unveiled at a later date when a message
would be communicated to the world.
Mr Cyril Acolatse a Journalist
said he could not imagine that creative works could be destroyed in such
questionable circumstances. He described the event as a sad, but historic
occasion and urge the artist to continue to "work in the dark" to
produce even greater works.
GRi…/
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