As reported by several international sources, Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, recognized as the leading figure in ArtReview’s 2025 ranking of the most influential people in the art world, was the victim of a violent assault by police in Tamale, Ghana. The incident allegedly occurred on Saturday, March 21, while the artist was in his vehicle with family members. According to available reconstructions, officers, reportedly struggling to navigate through heavy rush-hour traffic, resorted to force. This escalated into an argument that led to the confiscation of the artist’s phone and subsequently to physical aggression.
Although the precise details of the episode remain somewhat unclear, the brutal intervention culminated in Mahama’s hospitalization. The news quickly provoked strong reactions and calls for clarity from institutions and professionals within the global art community.
Cultural Institutions Take a Stand: From Milan to Tamale
Various institutional and cultural bodies have condemned the incident, demanding clarification and a thorough investigation into accountability. An open letter stated: “Many citizens are regularly subjected to various forms of police brutality in Ghana. Abuses like these constitute serious violations of citizens’ rights. We call on the Ghana Police Service to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Accountability must not only be pursued, but must be visible.” The statement further asserted: “The people of Ghana deserve a police service that protects citizens, not brutalizes them; a service that upholds the law, instead of violating it.” Among the signatories of this declaration are the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) in Tamale, alongside Red Clay Studio and Nkrumah Volini – art centers dedicated to exhibitions, education, and artistic residencies, all founded by Mahama himself in Tamale to foster his country’s cultural system.
The Milan city administration, represented by Tommaso Sacchi, Councillor for Culture, also expressed its solidarity. During his opening remarks at the presentation of Milan Art Week, Sacchi publicly conveyed his closeness to Mahama and announced that the artist would be absent from the event, contrary to expectations, due to his health condition, stating: “We stand with Ibrahim Mahama, brutally assaulted.”
Ibrahim Mahama: Artistic Vision and Community Projects
Ibrahim Mahama (born 1987) is globally renowned for an artistic practice that intricately weaves reflections on colonial history with explorations of the large-scale economy. His work often features monumental installations crafted from reclaimed materials, particularly the jute sacks commonly used in global trade networks. His art delves into themes related to labor, the circulation of goods and people, and the enduring colonial legacies that continue to shape our contemporary world.
In recent years, Mahama has significantly solidified his international presence, participating in the 2019 Venice Biennale with the Ghana Pavilion and creating interventions in numerous institutions and public spaces worldwide. Concurrently, he has developed a robust network of independent cultural centers in Ghana, including the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, all dedicated to the preservation and promotion of contemporary artistic practices across the African continent.
