In the quiet neighborhood of Teshie near Accra, artist Jeaurs Affutu, known as Heavy J, meticulously adds details to a poster for The Little Mermaid. His canvas, a humble flour sack, comes to life with vibrant colors and imaginative scenes. This is not just any poster; it’s a testament to a rich Ghanaian tradition that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The practice of hand-painted film posters in Ghana began in the late 1970s and flourished until the early 2000s. These posters, created by local artists, were used to advertise screenings at neighborhood video clubs. As original posters failed to attract audiences, these artists stepped in, transforming movie scenes into humorous and surreal masterpieces.
From Video Clubs to Global Fame
Artists working for different video clubs competed to create the most captivating forgeries as they playfully referred to their interpretations. The plot lines were often just a starting point for their imaginative flights of fancy. However, as more Ghanaians gained access to electricity and personal TV sets, the demand for these posters waned. Many video clubs closed, and artists pivoted to other forms of work.
By the turn of the century, the posters had gained global interest, featured in books and international exhibitions. Old and rare paintings became prized collectibles, sparking a renewed demand that continues to grow today, driven by online marketing and a receptive customer base in the West.
The Revival: Deadly Prey Gallery
Deadly Prey Gallery, co-founded in 2012 by Robert Kofi and Brian Chankin, is at the forefront of preserving this cultural tradition. Named after an action film, the gallery works with 15 artists, including Heavy J, who has been painting posters for four decades. The gallery connects these artists with online customers and ships the artwork upon completion.
Most orders come from the US, with a high demand for old action, science fiction, and horror films. Popular titles include The ExorcistStar Wars and Terminator franchises. Prices for commissioned pieces start at $600. Kofi, based in Accra, acts as both manager and editor, identifying the best artists for each work and reviewing their progress.
Stoger’s Studio: A Glimpse into the Creative Process
In a studio in Ashaiman, 11 miles from Heavy J’s house, another artist, Benjamin Amartey, known as Stoger, is working on two commissions: one for the horror film Poltergeist and another for the experimental drama Gummo. Stoger’s poster for Gummo features three cats and a man in a bath with a plate of spaghetti. Kofi’s feedback on the day was that two of the cats were not aggressive enough and the food was too clean. I want uglier cat scenes he explained. The spaghetti has to be dirtier.
Stoger, a former sculptor, developed an interest in films and became a poster painter in 1992. I use my imagination to make scenes that will attract people so that they’ll love the poster he said. This emphasis on exaggeration is rooted in an African tradition of visualizing the invisible according to Joseph Oduro-Frimpong, director of the Centre of African Popular Culture at Ashesi University.
The Sensationalism and Controversy
The posters’ audiences often had not seen the films, making it impossible for them to know if the posters were accurate. Artists tapped into what they called imaginative painting highlighting and incorporating elements not in the original films. This sensationalism sometimes led to threats, insults, and even physical attacks from viewers who felt duped.
Kofi recalled an incident in the 1990s when people beat him up after watching Double Impact and realizing it did not include a scene showing Jean-Claude Van Damme carrying out a beheading, as illustrated on the poster. Despite such controversies, the posters remain a beloved part of Ghanaian culture.
At the Centre for National Culture in Accra, dozens of colorful posters from Deadly Prey Gallery are displayed on wooden walls. They include Jennifer Lopez launching an arrow at a snake in Anaconda and a mouse coming out of Jamie Lee Curtis’ mouth in Halloween.
We are preserving a tradition Kofi said of the poster-painting craft. We are preserving a history.
