Barbican to unveil monumental public commission by Ibrahim Mahama

Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama's ‘Purple Hibiscus’ to transform Barbican's Lakeside Terrace.

Ibrahim Mahama, Purple Hibiscus, 2023- 24. Courtesy Ibrahim Mahama, Red Clay Tamale, Barbican Centre, London and White Cube.

The Barbican is set to unveil its latest monumental public commission by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, marking his first large-scale presentation in the UK. Opening in April 2024, the transformative artwork will adorn the Barbican's Lakeside Terrace, enveloping the iconic brutalist structure with approximately 2000 square metres of intricately woven cloth. Named Purple Hibiscus after Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, the ambitious commission is a collaborative effort with craftspeople from Tamale, Ghana, incorporating approximately 100 'batakaris' – traditional robes imbued with the lineage and power of Northern Ghanaian communities.

Ibrahim Mahama, Purple Hibiscus, 2023- 24. Courtesy Ibrahim Mahama, Red Clay Tamale, Barbican Centre, London and White Cube.

Mahama's engagement with local economies and communities is at the forefront of his practice, reflected in the vibrant hues and intricate details of Purple Hibiscus. By weaving together historical memories embedded in textiles, Mahama seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalised communities. The monumental commission gains additional resonance within the Barbican's historical context, standing on the former site of Cripplegate parish and reflecting on the area's significance as a hub for cloth trade.

Grounded in the belief that art should be accessible to all, Mahama's practice extends beyond the confines of the art market, with initiatives like the Red Clay Studio and Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art in Tamale, Ghana, providing vital social infrastructure for arts education and exhibition-making. Through Purple Hibiscus, Mahama invites audiences to engage in dialogue about collective labour, cultural heritage, and the transformative power of art within public spaces.

Purple Hibiscus is part of the Barbican Art Gallery's current exhibition, Unravel: The Power & Politics of Textiles in Art , a major group exhibition, showcasing artists use of textiles to communicate ideas about power, resistance and survival.

Click here for a visual preview.

Date: 10 April – 18 August 2024. Location: Barbican Lakeside Terrace. Price: Free Website: barbican.org.uk.