Seth Dei a renowned Ghanaian Art collector
Through the Canvas: The Story of Ghana's Art Legacy in Seth Dei's Collection
Seth Dei: The Business Visionary Preserving Ghana's Artistic Soul
Contemporary Ghanaian art from one of West Africa's most significant private collections
The Masterpieces That Tell Ghana's Story
Ablade Glover's "Market Scenes"
Among the crown jewels of Dei's collection are Ablade Glover's vibrant market scenes—thick impasto paintings that capture the energy of Ghanaian daily life. These works don't just decorate walls; they preserve the rhythm of Accra's markets in bold, passionate strokes of color that seem to move with the chaos and beauty of Ghanaian commerce.
El Anatsui's Early Works
Before El Anatsui became an international art superstar with his bottle cap installations, Seth Dei was collecting his earlier wooden sculptures and paintings. These pieces show the genesis of an artistic genius who would later redefine African contemporary art on the global stage.
Kofi Setordji's Political Narratives
Dei's collection includes powerful works by Kofi Setordji that address social justice and political history. These pieces serve as visual archives of Ghana's journey, capturing both the struggles and triumphs of the nation's development.
From Business to Guardianship
What began as a student's passion for art at Cornell University in the 1960s evolved into one of West Africa's most important cultural missions. Seth Dei, the founding board member of Blue Skies Ghana, applied his business acumen to a different kind of preservation—not of fruit, but of Ghana's artistic heritage.
"I bought my first painting in 1963 with pocket money," Dei recalls. "But it was when I returned to Ghana in 1992 that I understood these works weren't just decorations—they were chapters in our national story that needed protecting."
More Than a Collection—A Cultural Ecosystem
Dei's approach transcends mere acquisition. Each piece in his collection represents:
Direct patronage of living Ghanaian artists
Protecting works that document Ghana's evolution
Making art accessible for study and inspiration
The Dream: A Home for Ghana's Contemporary Art
Dei's ultimate vision remains clear: "We need a proper Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghana. These works deserve a home where they can be properly conserved and shared with the world."
His collection, now managed through a foundation, stands as both a treasure and a challenge—proof of what exists and what infrastructure still needs building in Ghana's cultural landscape.
"Every painting I've collected is a voice in the conversation about who we are as Ghanaians. They're not mine—I'm just their temporary guardian until Ghana has the home they deserve."
— Seth Dei
