Statement
Life inspires what I depict on the canvas. The canvas is where I express my deepest emotions, thoughts, and experiences. My work transcends beyond race, religion, ideas of traditional love, and politics as my point of view is revealed by the drips of paint I lay and the outlines I sketch within the space and figures abstractly placed in my work and seen on the faces of the images I make appear on my canvas. I layer colors as I layer the depth of my ideas creating heavy texture to define what I hope those who view my work will feel as this is my way to connect with others. Ultimately, for me it is my hope that when people see my artwork, they are witnessing something beautiful and experience healing from all that is negative in the world.
I hold living things very dear to my heart and it is my personal philosophy that life is sacred and must be treated as such. Being an artist is more than just an occupation or a talent; it is my world...my everything. From culture to philosophy, religion to politics, art is my work, nature, medicine, spirit, and love.
Life is my canvas, and as I live and travel through this world, experiences become my paint. To me, the world is a little sick, so my art is inspired by many emotions, experiences, thoughts, observations, and people. It is my hope that when people see my art, however, they witness something beautiful and experience healing from all that is negative in our world today.
I seek to make our world more beautiful and peaceful with each painting I create, and it is my personal goal to reach out to mankind and heal them through my art. I find true enjoyment in my work, and I wish to share it with you all who love art.
Be inspired!
Biography
Nii Narku Thompson is a Ghanaian-born Texas, Dallas-based artist. He graduated from the Ghanatta College of Art and Design in Ghana, West Africa. His works are centered on the universal themes of religion, culture, politics, and race. Painting mostly in acrylics, his works are heavily textured and colorful, and his work can be described as abstract or surreal. Nii Narku is a member of the Foundation for Contemporary Art Ghana (FCA Ghana).
His works have been exhibited in Ghana, Italy, and the United States at prestigious institutions such as: National Museum in Accra, Ghana; Alliance Francaise; Goethe-Institute; and the British Council. Additionally, Nii Narku’s works have been exhibited and commissioned by the Cam Casoria Contemporary Art Museum in Napoli, Italy; Blue Line Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia; New York Museum for National Black Fine Arts; and Elks Lodge in Naples, Florida.
Most recently his work has been exhibited at Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, NT. the ART 214 , juried exhibition. South Dallas cultural center. Dallas, Texas. 64 Arts, Bachman center for the arts. Monmouth, Illinois. Studio 2500,Birmingham, Alabama Craig Brabson Gallery; Nashville, Tennessee, Usagi gallery; Brooklyn, new York city, Daniels Gallery; University of North Carolina Wilmington Cultural Arts Gallery; Acme Studio; the University of North Carolina Pembroke’s Givens Performing Arts Center; the Art League Bomar House; In the Gallery of Tennessee; North Western Art Center, as well as the North Collier Regional Park Art Space.
Resume / CV
2023 January 27 - March 17, 27th Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and exhibition2023 January 21 - February 25, THE DAISHA BOARD GALLERY SOLO EXHIBITION, Dallas 2022 April 23 - May 21, ART 214 JURIED EXHIBITION Oak cliff cultural center, Dallas - Texas 2022 April 16 - May 29, GHANAIAN ARTISTS IN PORTRAITURE Calabar Gallery, Harlem - New York 2022 April 1 - May 28, ART 214 JURIED EXHIBITION South Dallas cultural center, Dallas - Texas 2022 March 25th - April 28th, WE ARE ONE EXHIBIT ACES GALLERY, Wilmington - North Carolina 2021 Kindred Spirit, STUDIO 2500, Birmingham - Alabama 2021 ART 214, Juried exhibition, SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER, Dallas -Texas. 2021 64 ARTS National Juries Exhibition, BACHMAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Monmouth - Illinois 2020 Art Against Hate, STUDIO 2500, Birmingham - Alabama 2019 Great Art and Fellowship, CRAIG BRABSON GALLERY, Nashville, Tennessee2019 New Africa, VANGUARD ART SHOW, Nashville, Tennessee2016 USAGI GALLERY, Brooklyn, New York City2015 No Boundaries International Art Colony, WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY, Wilmington, North Carolina
2015 MUDDY MUSE ART GALLERY, Wilmington, North Carolina
2013 Solo Exhibition, THE ART LEAGUE, BOMAR HOUSE, Houston, Texas (Solo)
2012 Seven Billion Plus, UNCW CULTURAL ARTS BUILDING, ART GALLERY, Wilmington North Carolina
2011 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PEMBROKE AT THE GIVES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Pembroke, North Carolina 2011 Cultures In Influence, GOETHE-INSTITUT, Accra, Ghana
