The Global Village

David Zukas "Kulungugu House Painters" 2007  private collection

David Zukas (b.1970) is a multi-media artist based on Staten Island, New York. The well-known sculptor Patrick Vilaire is his father-in-law and artistic mentor. Zukas says of his own work, "I have been an artist and educator for over twelve years, traveling and studying regions most affected by the African Diaspora from its origins in West Africa to final destinations in the Americas such as Haiti. My most profound learning experience as an artist was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana. I taught in the Ghanaian public schools and helped to develop markets for local artisan work.  The culture of the Ewe people is now woven like kente cloth into my artwork. Africa has immensely impacted my work and is a predominant theme."

The figures in this drawing depict Ghanaian women practicing the ancient art of painting geometric designs onto traditional mud wall houses. While Zukas was teaching in Ghana he was allowed to briefly participate in this traditionally female art practice, and also allowed to take photographs of the women in the act of painting, from which he has created several pieces of his own work which celebrate their art.

Zukas says, "If technology has made us a "global village"- then it is going to take the entire village to raise this child." The artist's website can be seen here. 

Wall Painting

David Zukas  "Kulungugu House Painters 2"   

David Zukas (b. 1970) is a contemporary artist based in New York. He painted this scene from a photograph he took when he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana. Zukas comments, "Only women are allowed to paint the traditional designs on the mud brick houses in the north of Ghana... they made an exception in my case and I got the privilege of painting a portion. As with all African art it is beautiful but [wall painting] is also utilitarian because the cow dung/mud mixture being applied protects the structure from the harsh rains."

Zukas currently lives on Staten Island, in New York City, but has traveled extensively throughout Africa and the Caribbean. He has spent more than a decade exploring and studying the regions of this world most affected by the African Diaspora, from its origins in West Africa to final destinations in the Americas such as Haiti. The people of Africa are a predominant theme in the artist's work. Zukas' website can be seen here.