Kofi Antubam

Kofi Antubam (1922–1964), was a Ghanaian artist and designer. His work as official "state artist", appointed by Kwame Nkrumah, shaped the national identity of the newly independent country of Ghana. Antubam's art practice included easel painting, mural and mosaic, and wood carving. As an educator and writer he encouraged Ghanaian artists and students to create work with an "African personality", that reflect local customs and traditions. His government commissions to design the symbols of state introduced the Akan adinkra symbols and traditions to represent the new nation state. In one prominent scholar's view, according to Antubam, "certain cultural traditions belonged to societies past; they were important and should be studied, but their principle utility was in supporting new, composite forms for the symbolic repertoire of the new nation."