A photo exhibition was held in Kejetia, northern Ghana, in January 2020. Here, we present photos of the exhibition. It expressed a central aspect of the transdisciplinary Gold Matters project to strengthen connections between mining experiences and practices across regions of West Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Guinea), East Africa (Uganda) and the Amazon (Brazil, Suriname and French Guiana). Gold mining worlds are always on the move miners, knowledges and practices travel. Gold miners learn from experiences they have gained in different places, and the mobility of knowledge provides incentives to innovations, both socially and technologically.
The Gold Matters project is part of such mobilities and seeks to contribute to the critical comparison of mining worlds. One way of doing this is by discussing and showing the variety of (in-depth) gold mining terrains, social arrangements, and technical developments in different mining regions.
For the exhibition in Kejetia, the Gold Matters team brought together photographs taken in the regions where they are undertaking research. On the basis of this photo archive, Nii Obodai curated and produced the exhibition in Kejetia. He was assisted by Mabel Seena. This inspired the name of this part of the on-line exhibition: The Exhibition of the Exhibition. Here we show the process of how, in January 2020, the Exhibition was organized and finally opened in a most festive way. Many photos which featured in the exhibition in Kejetia, also have a place in this on-line exhibition. They can be found in the thematic parts, on the wall of the region where the photos were taken. Nii Obodai’s black and white photographs can be found in the thematic section of ‘ARTistic and ARTisanal’.
Gold Matter team on the road
Members of the team, including three miners from the South of Ghana, journeyed to northern Ghana and started preparations in Bolgatanga, a regional centre some 20 kilometres from Kejetia.
Preparing for the exhibition
In Bolgatanga, materials were bought for the set-up of the exhibition. Making matters move is always an issue.
1/2 Setting the scene in Kejetia
Upon arrival, spaces in the courtyard of our host, Zakaria Imrana, had to be prepared and transformed into a museum site.
2/2 Pictures on a Wall
Photographer Mabel Seena is helped to prepare a wall for the black and white photographs of Nii Obodai.
From work place & hang out to exhibition space
An important part of the exhibition would take place in the area where Zakari normally receives friends, but also stocks the ore that is coming from his pits. The space had to be ‘refurbished’.
Pictures on the Floor
A floorplan was needed to make decisions as to how the photographs would be hung on the line.
Picturing mining friendships
Benjamin Ampiah, a miner working in the south of Ghana, joined the workshop. He had worked in Kejetia in the 1990’s and here he is catching up with old acquaintances.
Big mama cooking
Food would be vital for the celebration of the opening of the exhibition. Big Mama, a leading figure in a group of women whose work it is to process gold ore, volunteered to do the cooking for all the visitors who would attend the exhibition.
What else needs to be done?
Robert and Sabine are catching up. Sabine is just back from a shopping tour with one of the women, Lamisi Yaliwaa. They purchased all the ingredients for the meal. Robert has been involved in a walk with miners discussing the way in which mining in Kejetia is inserted in the landscape.
Portrait of a man with his Portrait
Zakari has been a longtime collaborator with several members of the Gold Matters team. He is pleased with the photograph we took of him during a previous visit. The photo will get a good place in the exhibition space.
Two men on a Mission
Ebenezer Knight Mannah and Anthony Acquah, both from Tarkwa, joined the workshop in Kejetia. They just returned from the walking tour with Kejetia miners and are happy to see that the organization of the exhibition is going well. So, time for another picture.
Big Mama, Big Talk
The women who, the day before, had been involved in creating the Art Installation with the painter Christophe Sawadogo have arrived to attend to the opening of the exhibition. Big Mama explains what will happen. Shortly, dinner will be served.
Women waiting for the show
The opening was scheduled for late in the day because most men and women would be working the whole day. Some of the women are still dusty from work at the crusher or the grinding mill.
A museum wall
The wall also seems to be in waiting. The time for an audience to arrive and watch is approaching fast. Soon the women, the schoolkids, and the men will be taking a good look at the pictures of the exhibition.
Another angle on the same scene
Cutting the rope
Here our hosts, Zakari and Lamisi, engage in the formal opening of the exhibition. This is a moment of ritual acts, speeches and - of course - taking pictures.
Time for a meal
Big Mama and Lamisi are ready to serve the plates to all the visitors. Who should be served first; the strangers (the Gold Matters team), or the residents of Kejetia? Zakari insisted that the strangers should get a share first. A bit embarrassed, the Gold Matters team obliged. Fortunately, there was food and drinks in abundance.
Food first, Art later
The sharing of food was an important moment at the opening. It signifies social ties, but it is also key after a hard day’s work.
The exhibition in full flow
The teacher, Alfred King Sharpston - known to everyone as Nana - and the pupils of his school are touring the exhibition. Nana has been a miner in the past. He is telling the pupils about his mining life and the importance to make good choices for your own future and for the environment.
Do look now!
Comparing mining practices
Two young residents of Kejetia show a keen interest in mining technologies elsewhere: the excavator in the background, and center stage the wooden structure for a new shaft. What can we learn, how does it compare to mining in Kejetia?
A circle of attention
Women from Kejetia are looking at mining scenes in the Amazon: a view from above showing a curling river with mining operations and another photo portrays a miner standing in the water to support the dredging. Enormous differences: Here the women are crushing in the dry dust, there the work is all in the water.
Watching a road scene
Schoolkids of the private school in Kejetia bring their own chairs to school. Would it not be great to sit on a quad and take a ride in the rainforest of the Amazon?
What do we see here?
Robert Pijpers discussing some photos with the schoolkids. What do they see, what do they know? What does Robert see, what does he know?
Girl with a Gaze
This girl is particularly interested in the photo from Uganda, showing a sophisticated cyanidation site.
Portrait of a working woman
This woman came straight from her processing site to the exhibition space. Most likely tired and maybe a bit grumpy. Still the conversation with her showed that she enjoyed the new impressions and the sharing of knowledge.
A Balance on the Wall
The photo of the gold balance attracted attention. The balance is the symbol of the Gold Matters project: it underscores how mining is a balancing act between different social interests, as well as between social and environmental concerns. The small kid has a different focus. He recognizes a familiar face: “Hey look, this is Zakari”.
A view to remember
The photo captures the moment just before the cutting of the rope. Everyone has joined for the opening of the exhibition. In front, the Monument to commemorate the miners who died while working underground.
