‘I want people to see themselves within the stories’
Hull-based Ghanaian artist Isaac Yeboah(Image: supplied image)
A Hull gallery is presenting Daylight Comes Through the Cracks, a new exhibition by Ghanaian artist Isaac Yeboah. Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery opens the exhibition on Saturday, May 2.
Running until June 27, the exhibition showcases Yeboah’s powerful work across drawing and ceramics, exploring themes of ancestry, storytelling and identity through the lens of Ghanaian folklore and tradition. Based in Hull, Yeboah is guided by the belief that art can facilitate the acquisition of knowledge.
His practice draws on deep-rooted Ghanaian traditions, transforming oral histories, myths and songs into vivid, intricate visual narratives. At the heart of the exhibition sits a large ceramic vessel representing a wise elder, surrounded by seven smaller pots symbolising children named after the days of the week they were born.
This central installation invites visitors into a shared space of learning, where stories are passed between generations. Alongside this, a major drawing traces African history from pre-colonial times to the present, while imagining future possibilities.
The exhibition reflects Yeboah’s personal journey, having begun the work in Ghana over two years ago and completing it in a purpose-built studio space at Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery. This process mirrors his transition from Ghana to the UK, while remaining deeply connected to his ancestral roots.
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The artist said: “This exhibition is about storytelling, about the knowledge that is passed down through generations and how we interpret it in our own lives. I want people to feel part of that conversation, to see themselves within the stories, and to reflect on how we understand our past, present and future.”
The exhibition title is drawn from Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved, referencing the fragmented glimpses of light experienced by enslaved Africans during the transatlantic journey. Yeboah reinterprets this metaphor to reflect his own upbringing, piecing together knowledge and meaning from moments of clarity.
Since January, Yeboah has been working from a temporary on-site studio at the gallery, created by transforming an underused space to support the development of this ambitious body of work. Lindsey Alvis, CEO of Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery, said: “We are incredibly proud to present Isaac’s work.
“Deeply powerful, rooted in heritage and storytelling, this exhibition reflects everything Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery stands for – providing space, support and opportunity for artists to create ambitious, meaningful new work that connects with communities. Seeing the works develop onsite has been extraordinary.
“The detail, precision, and beauty is breathtaking, and we can’t wait to share this exhibition with audiences in Hull.” Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery is a community arts charity dedicated to making creative opportunities accessible to all, particularly those who may not otherwise engage with the arts.
Through exhibitions, workshops and partnerships, Artlink | 87 Gallery continues to support artists from under-represented backgrounds while fostering a vibrant cultural community in Hull. Daylight Comes Through the Cracks is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm.
A public launch will be held on Friday, May 1, from 6pm to 8pm, with a quiet hour from 5pm to 6pm. Additional events include an artist-led tour, networking opportunities and a closing social.