Gallery 1957 has announced What Stains, What Stays, a solo exhibition by Ghanaian artist Cornelius Annor, curated by Ato Jackson. The show opens on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Gallery II in Accra and continues until 7 November 2026.
Annor works within the traditions of figuration and portraiture, drawing from family photographs and internet archives to depict intimate scenes of Ghanaian life. His paintings capture moments of gathering, repose, leisure and conviviality.
For this exhibition the artist expands his practice beyond painting into objects and sculptural works. Using an experimental process that transfers pigments from African textiles onto canvas, the paintings function as both image and imprint. They explore themes of memory, family and cultural inheritance.
Annor also reimagines everyday objects linked to family, hospitality and togetherness central tables and other domestic forms as movable elements that encourage viewers to move, gather and engage with the space.
The works highlight the quiet beauty of ordinary moments: dancing with friends, gathering at home, caring for one another and celebrating life together. In the process they form part of a broader archive that connects the private sphere of the home to wider histories and experiences.
The exhibition also examines artistic lineage. Annor’s father, a sculptor who carved in ebony wood, left a lasting influence on his son’s practice. As Annor moves between painting, sculpture, objects, photographs and archives, his father’s sculptural language reappears, creating a new channel for reflecting on family, memory and the past. The artist suggests that fleeting moments can leave lasting traces that shape the stories people carry and the people they become.
opening reception will be held on Thursday, 24 September from 6 to 9 pm at Gallery II, Accra. The exhibition runs from 24 September to 7 November 2026.