Nubuke Foundation

Make We Dance

Discover the powerful art of Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway, where dance becomes a visual language

Movement of Vision (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

The art of movement

Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway's body of work titled 'Make We Dance' which means 'Let Us Dance' explores the idea of dance as a form of movement. It shows various figures striking poses, swirling, and dancing.

Movement of Joy and Upliftment (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Make we dance also explores movement as a way of expression.

Movement Devotion and Transition (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Dance and expression

To Cecilia, dance can be used as a way of expressing oneself in happy times and in bad times; in crucial times and in playful moments. For each piece of work in the exhibition, Cecilia communicates the unsaid actions and emotions of her figures through their movements.

Movement of the Rain Dance (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Mopping wool and paint on canvas

Cecilia uses mopping wool and paint to achieve these beautiful art pieces. When the artist started using mopping wool, it was because she made a connection among the cleaning object, domesticity, and female-based chores.

Movement of Possession (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Cecilia's background in textile making

The elements in these paintings bring together the artist's different artistic strands. Trained at the Yaba College of Technology School of Art, Design and Printing in Lagos- Nigeria, the flowery background gestures towards the abstraction of Lamptey Botchway's textile practice

I Move Therefore I Am (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

I move therefore I am

" This is a movement of dance that challenges the government's decision on bad roads that lead to flooding and wastage. This dance in a form of ritual challenges that, and seeks another alternative to resolve the situation." -Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway

Movement of Soul and Body (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Movement of the soul and body

“The soul is the 'driver' in the body. With this painting, I want my viewers to see how the presence of the soul makes the physical body alive." - Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway

Efua's movement of Gravity (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Efua's movement of gravity

"This painting invites the viewer to see how dance, as movement, is also a force of gravity." - Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway

Movement of Ruling Women (2022) by Cecilia Lamptey- BotchwayOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Cecilia also speaks to the growing involvement of women in society, and the importance of women and men working together for the good of society.

Make We Dance (2022) by Nubuke FoundationOriginal Source: Nubuke Foundation

Credits: Story

Photos: Ernest Kweku Edufo
Project manager: Kwabena Agyare Yeboah
Research, Text & Curatorial Support: Jemima Adansi and Abiodun Ayoola

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Nubuke Foundation