Deadly Prey: Movie posters from Ghana
Harman Projects and Spoke Art are proud to present Deadly Prey, an exhibition celebrating the vivid legacy and ongoing evolution of Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters.
This singular art form emerged in the 1980s with the rise of mobile cinemas across the country of Ghana. Originally created to advertise VHS screenings in towns and villages without proper movie theaters, these posters were painted on recycled flour sacks by local artists who freely reimagined films through bold colors, exaggerated action, and inventive (and sometimes made up) visual storytelling.
Unbound by studio marketing guidelines, these works often departed radically from their source material, transforming global action, horror, and martial arts films into distinctly Ghanaian visions that blended fantasy, spectacle, and local cultural sensibilities.
Over time, these posters gained international recognition for their raw energy, graphic ingenuity, and status as both functional advertising and autonomous artworks. Artists such as Heavy J, Joe Mensah, and Stoger helped define the genre’s visual language.
This legacy continues today through contemporary Ghanaian artists keeping this artistic tradition alive. The Chicago / Accra-based team at Deadly Prey Gallery has been working with artists around Accra, Ghana for the past 13 years to help preserve this tradition and bring these imaginative and often surreal paintings to an international audience.
Opening Night Reception:
Saturday, February 7th
5pm to 7pm
Gallery Hours
Tuesday - Saturday / 11am - 6pm
Exhibition on view until Saturday, February 28th
Harman Projects SF
1275 Minnesota Street, Suite 106
San Francisco, CA 94107
Advance Collector Preview:
An advance collector's preview will be available online before the exhibition opens. If you would like to receive a price list, please contact us at sf@harmanprojects.com.
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Roxie Theater Members:
As a special thank you to our local film community, we are proud to offer at 10% discount on purchases for Roxie Theater members. Simply present your membership card when visiting our gallery in-person!