Mural "Ghana Calls"

Art Work Analysis:

Mural "Ghana Calls" for the W.E.B. DuBois Centre of Pan Africanism

By Shelley Bruce

Artist- Shelley Bruce
Medium- Acrylic Paint
Dimensions- approximately 4’ x 7’ (feet)
Completed August 26th 2009

The commission to donate this piece to the W.E.B. DuBois Centre was arranged and organized by Dr. Renford Reese. His passing of this monumental opportunity to me has launched my career to another realm and I must mention his gift to me with most gratitude before proceeding.

Once I was able to comprehend the great privilege of painting this work inside the last home of W.E.B. Dubois, I realized several components that it must have. It must reflect his life, his values (especially those pertaining to art), his life in and relationship to Ghana, and most importantly it must continue his mission and work for his people and this world. I also knew, though already very familiar with the African American scholar and genius who directly paved a way for me, that I must become more acquainted with his work. I needed to better understand his perspectives so that I could best capture his spirit in my piece. The first work I came across was an excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk entitled “The Coming of John” that served as a prime example of DuBois ability to use various forms of literature like fiction to relay lessons. The next and very second work I came across was a poem entitled “Ghana Calls” (please see poem at my second blog entry: http://reflectingonmyblessings88.blogspot.com/2009/08/sharing-my-inspiration.html ).

There could have been no more perfect fit to this commission. The twenty-three stanza prose beautifully illustrates an autobiographical narrative starting with DuBois’ childhood and ending in his foretold death, describes the transformation of his concept of Africa, expresses his opinions on the future of the world’s leading nations and supplies incredible imagery from which an artist could easily illustrate. Most importantly, the poem was written to Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah and most lovingly described Ghana as a paradise, one in which he would close the book of his life. I acquired a combination of chills, tears and goose bumps the first few times I read the poem and knew that it would be the sole inspiration for my mural.

With this work I chose to take a path less traveled and one usually not recommended. Rather than simply illustrating the poem or using its text for added detail, I opted to make the entire wording the focal point of the piece. DuBois, as I had learned from a previous tour of the DuBois Centre, was adamant about reading and I wanted viewers to not only experience this work but make it a part of DuBois’ recommended daily intake of knowledge. Furthermore I felt that using the whole piece would serve to educate and “uplift the race” as DuBois thought all art should do from his message in “Criteria of Negro Art” (DuBois 1926). I wanted to further that philosophy and simultaneously use it as a note of intrigue for the viewer.


When once first encounters the work, the four colors of Ghana’s flag along with the overall imagery dominate one’s reaction. I used crimson, green, gold and black to not only reflect Ghana but the colors that represent Pan Africanism and all peoples of the African Diaspora. Just after though, one realizes the maze of writing that completely overlays the images underneath. The third response I feel is a back and forth action that begins to occur as the viewer seeks to pull out the images beneath the words, while coming back to the black and prominent script. As one may read the prose they will notice that the images directly under the words are meant to correspond with that stanza in the story, a revelation I would like the viewer to over time be able to pinpoint for every portion of the mural.

And from this I am well aware that the writing may be overwhelming, but I use the text for symbolism as well as a tool to invite the viewer to spend time reflecting on DuBois and his work. I truly believe that no interpretation or further additions to “Ghana Calls” were needed from me to create this piece. The work unveiled itself from my second encounter during my research, and W. E. B. DuBois’ knowledge and writings were more than enough to inspire my humble work along the unnumbered other forms of art, research and literature influenced by him across the world.

With that notion, DuBois’ portrait (top right) gazes down in reflection on his life and works below. A slight smile in his eye comes from a joy and hope found in a special city called Accra. This pensive and prominent face glows golden as it graces a painting located in the very last place he called home, in Ghana.

(For a larger view of the mural go to http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/shelbe1288/Ghana%202009/Ghana%20Trip%202009/?action=view&current=DSCN0566.jpg&evt=user_media_share )