Kojo Kamua: Photographer, Artist, Historan, Community Leader (photo left Kojo by B. Vogel)
Barbara Vogel, local photographer and artist, talks with Kojo Kamua about his art and influence on our community’s culture on the occasion of his Columbus Museum of Art 50-year retrospective photography show.
Kojo has been instrumental in helping define and promote photographic art in our community and also in documenting the cultural changes in central Ohio over half a century. Kojo was a founder of ACE (Arts for Community Expression) that has helped the artistic and career development of Columbus black artists, provided new venues for artistic expression and created greater understanding within our community. This fall, shows at the King Arts Complex and Fort Hayes High School explore the important role ACE has played for three decades in shaping not only local art, but our community as well.
“I have always felt what I was doing was important. How can documenting history not be important? I now say, “Always remember that what you do today is tomorrow’s history.” Kojo Kamua
Barb: Kojo, you’ve certainly been a presence, more than that really – a force – in raising awareness of photography as art and the importance of giving voice to the black artist. But for 50 years? I can’t believe you are really 70!
Kojo: Yes. I was born in Columbus at University Hospital on Oct. 11, 1939.
(left: Flowered Living Room, Kojo’s Home, Kojo)
Barb: Your work has impacted many people, especially in terms of how we all view the contributions of African-Americans. How did you get started in photography and did you always see your work as a vehicle for positive change?
Kojo: I returned home to Columbus in 1964, after my four years in the Air Force, stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina. I had just suffered four years of culture shock, having never been south before. I saw the need for change. The road to change did not start with President Barack Obama. It has been going on since the first slave ship arrived. Change does not happen by watching others work at it, everyone has to do their part. My contribution to change was to document what was going on in my community from a positive perspective. Having been educated in the Columbus Public School System in the 1950s, I knew of less than a dozen African Americans who were in all the history books.
Barb: Your photographs at the museum emphasized black musicians, poets, artists, and sports figures. How did you gain access to so many interesting people?
(left)Ray Charles, by Kojo
Kojo: Today I could not get many of the photographs, which I have taken in the past. You cannot get as close to people because of all the security. And maybe it was not as difficult for me because I often knew the organizers at local events and they knew me. Also, most of the time I was the only photographer shooting images and I was always welcomed. Most people understood why I was there and they wanted photographs taken.
My late wife, Mary Ann Williams, was producer and host of the TV program “Afromation” on WOSU. I photographed Muhammad Ali, Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Tony Brown on the set. Many of my photographs were taken at The Ohio State University and in the community at gatherings at East High School and now the King Arts Complex. I met Mr. Elijah Pierce in 1974 and photographed him for 10 years until his death in 1984.
I photographed the Columbus Symphony Orchestra during the summer of 1970 at Franklin Park. The orchestra had an African-American guest conductor. As a freelance photographer, I sent proofs to the symphony office and told them I was available. They purchased some of my photographs and later called me in September to photograph the orchestra. I was the official photographer for the next 10 years. Because I was known at the different venues where the orchestra performed, when other groups played it was no problem for me to photograph. I am a jazz lover and I enjoyed photographing musicians because of all the action, whether it is slow and mellow or hot and lively. I do like all kinds of positive music.
Barb: When did you first discover the museum?
Kojo: About 60 years ago. That was my introduction to the Columbus Museum of Art. When I was nine years old my mom and her two sons moved to 550 Grove Street. It is now a part of Columbus State Community College.
We never had an automobile, therefore we walked or used public transportation. I would walk to the main library located on Grant Avenue and whenever I went to the library I would cut through the museum. The east and west doors where open then, and on the way to the library I would enter the east doors on the first floor and on my return trip home I would enter the west doors and check out the second floor. It never entered my mind that someday I would have artwork hanging on the walls. Shortly after graduating from East High School, I decided that I wanted to be a photographer, and one of the best in town.
We moved to the south side, close to Children’s Hospital, when I was fourteen. Then I began to go to the Parson’s Avenue Branch Library. I had only visited the museum a few times before I opened the Kojo Photo Art Studio on Washington Avenue in 1978. There I met Mrs. Ursel White Lewis. She convinced me to join the museum and told me about her involvement with the museum and the school galleries in Columbus and throughout Ohio. She had been a member since 1960. The museum exhibition was dedicated to Mrs. Ursel White Lewis.
Barb: You mention Mrs. Lewis as someone who influenced you in your early years. Who were some of your mentors?
Kojo: I was influenced by my Boy Scout Master. I have always admired the work of Gordon Parks, James Van der Zee, Walker Evans and Chester Higgins, Jr. Locally, George Pierce and Roosevelt Carter inspired me. Pierce had a studio on Mt. Vernon Avenue and then Long Street. Carter was a freelance photographer and cameraman for WBNS-TV.
(left: Grandpa William Hawkins, by Kojo Kamau)
Barb: How did ACE – Arts for Community Expression – get started?
Kojo: ACE was founded in 1979 with a board of trustees including Linda Fleming-Willis, Michael Gire, Dr. Mary Ann Williams, Patricia Williams and Ursel White Lewis. Some of the founding members were Elijah Pierce, Aminah, Pepper, Roman Johnson, Bob Stull, Bing Davis, Charles Dillard, Larry Collins, Henry Cade, Queen Brooks, Lynn Prillerman, Bill Agnew, Smoky Brown, T Graves and Martha Abbott. These are the artists we first exhibited.
ACE was located on the second floor of the Kojo Photo Art Studio, 90 North Washington Avenue, around the corner from the Elijah Pierce Barber Shop and later gallery. The Pierce Gallery was close to where his statute is now located on Long Street.
One of the things ACE did was sponsor a trip to Africa for artists – Aminah, Brenda Lynn Robinson, Larry Winston Collins and Charles Dillard. After we moved to the Short North in 1986, our operating budget increased and we concentrated on keeping the gallery open. Our intent was to give people a reason to create by offering them a place to show their artwork. And we also try to educate the public about the artists and the importance of the images they create.
ACE has many to thank for their role in keeping the organization alive including founding members and board presidents Patricia Williams and Linda Fleming-Willis. Also, long time board president and supporter Linda Lewis and gallery coordinator LaVerne Brown.
During the past 30 years, ACE has sponsored over 200 art exhibitions, 15 arts and crafts festivals and three artists trips to Africa. In 1986 Art for Community Expression, Inc. was the first gallery to move into the Body Shop building located at 772 North High Street. The ACE Gallery closed in 1999.
Barb: As one member of the local art community, I’d like to thank you for your contributions to art and the people of central Ohio. It’s been a privilege to work with you through the years at Ohio State and Columbus State. How does it feel for you to look back, to view the museum show?
Kojo: It was great…and it was one show that I didn’t have to hang!
Museum Opening Bamazi Talle, founder of Kiaca Gallery and Kojo
Museum opening toast, Kojo left, Catherine Evans Curator Center, Nanette Maciejunes Right
Biographical Information: Kojo studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design, The Ohio State University and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a retired chief medical photographer at The Ohio State University and is currently a photography instructor at Columbus State Community College.
Kojo is the author of five books: Columbus Remembered, Pat Your Feet Clap Your Hands,On the Road to Change,Woman of the African Dispora, Lady Lewis, Her Hats, and Her Gloves
You can learn more about Kojo at: http://www.kojophotosusa.net/ kojophotos@ yahoo.com