Elmina Trilogy @The Art of Living Black

Old Man Seated at Door of No Return; Elmina Trilogy

Artist Statement 
Wanda Sabir

Displayed is one portrait in a triptych called Elmina Fishermen. All photos taken on location in June 2016 at Elmina Slave Dungeon in Ghana, West Africa. I used a digital camera.

When I visit Ghana’s Elmina Village where one of the more infamous slave dungeon’s sits, right at the Door of No Return sits an older man mending his nets. I ask him if I can take his picture. He opens his palm. I put money in it, he lowers his hand and I snap the photo.

Just across from him is the Atlantic Ocean; we are still in the fort so we can see the beach filled with boats and fishermen. The two younger men are just in front of us. They do not look up, intent on their sewing.

All the nets are this bright green color. Fish must be colorblind—how else could they miss the striking contrast between the net and the water. Perhaps they are too busy trying to swim away to notice.


The older man is not the only one at the slave dungeon doors where the tour ends. He is the only one not making a big to-do over our exit or arrival. He just looks up as if to say . . . so what took you so long?

Elmina Village, Ghana West Africa; Elmina Trilogy

The guide, scripted of course, says to us, the Door is no longer one of No Return; it swings in the opposite direction now. 

The Photos:

Preparing for the Catch, Elmina Trilogy

1. Elmina Village. Ghana, West Africa (2016).
Digital Print. 24X22.
Price: $250.00.
Artist: Wanda Sabir

2. Preparing for the catch. Elmina Dungeon, Ghana, West Africa (2016).

Digital Print. 24X22. Price: $250.00.
Artist: Wanda Sabir

3. Seated at the Door of No Return, at Elmina Slave Dungeon, the old man reflects on her presence with skepticism and a bit of wonder (2016). Digital Print. 24X22. Price: $250.00. Artist: Wanda Sabir