Dawuro also known as Gongon is a double metal bell used by the Ghanaian people, mostly in rural communities for the dissemination of information as well as a musical instrument.
The painting titled “Dawuro” is a town crier beating the gongon.
It is one of the traditional methods of drawing attention to the town crier, before an important message is delivered to the townsfolk in Ghana.
It is a locally fabricated bell-like steal instrument with two hollow heads that produces a clear sound with a long echo.
CONNOTATION
In the painting, the Dawuro or Gongon beater is faceless, while the gongon is identifiable.
This suggests the importance and prominence of the act, rather than the actor.
The graphic description of the hands of the actor suggests that the act of communication must be in good and decisive hands.
The monument, as captured in the painting, also reveals a steadfast community’s persistent desire to be served with consistent, communication.
MUSIC
The sound of the Dawuro also creates an extra dimension within the musical context and adds color and dynamics to Ghanaian music and dance.
It fulfills the role of signal instrument and brings the dance to a climax such as the Adowa dance of the Asantes, Borbor and Agbadza dance of the Ewes.
ARTIST
Tabi Crentsil is a contemporary artist whose work meets a culturally diverse and technologically advancing world.
He specializes in acrylic and mural paintings and has gone into full time painting since 2015.
Tabi holds a B. A. (Art) degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana formerly (UST) from 1988 to 1993.
He further went to the College of Arts and specialized in Painting and Graphic Design as an elective subject.
He later pursued M. A. in Physiology from the University of Cape Coast in Vocational Technical Education and Entrepreneurial Development.
VOTEC
He finally decided to settle on art work, after he had tried his hands on other occupations.
He has painted several arts and personalities such as Banksy umbrella girl, the parrot, Bob Marley, Malcom X, Fela Kuti, and Kwame Nkrumah.