STRANDS AND STRUCTURES x THE NEW ORIGINALS RELEASE LIMITED COLLECTION

On February 22, 2025, the Open Space Contemporary Art Museum (OSCAM) in Amsterdam unveiled “STRANDS & STRUCTURES,” a compelling photo-documentary exhibition curated by Esmeralda Tan. This exhibition showcases the collaborative work of Canadian-born Afro-Caribbean multidisciplinary artist Asia Clarke and Ghanaian photographer and creative director Christian Saint. Through a series of evocative images, the exhibition delves into the intricate relationship between Afro hair sculptures and the evolving urban landscapes of Accra, Ghana, highlighting pressing social and environmental issues. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGYqD0-oLoq/?img_index=1&igsh=NnY4ZHQyMWZhNnhy 

“STRANDS & STRUCTURES” first premiered in Accra in December 2023, followed by a showcase in Toronto in June 2024. The Amsterdam exhibition marks its European debut, offering visitors an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional photography displays. Attendees are invited to engage with behind-the-scenes footage, ambient soundscapes, and interviews conducted by Ghanaian journalist Brian Owusu-Konadu with local community members. The exhibition focuses on six key themes: air pollution, water pollution, transportation, energy, construction, and market economy, each represented through meticulously crafted hair sculptures set against the backdrop of Accra’s dynamic cityscape. 

In conjunction with the exhibition, “STRANDS & STRUCTURES” has partnered with Amsterdam-based clothing brand The New Originals to release a limited-edition merchandise collection. This collaboration aims to extend the conversation sparked by the exhibition into the realm of fashion, offering attendees a tangible connection to the project’s themes. The merchandise serves as a creative fusion of art and apparel, embodying the spirit of the exhibition and providing a platform for continued dialogue on the social and environmental narratives explored within the showcased works.