George Osodi
Nigeria, b. 1974
Passing Gold #4, from the series De money
2009
Photograph
TAFETA Gallery
Since the enactment of the Small Scale Gold Mining Law in 1989, which effectively legalized artisanal gold mining in Ghana, extractive operations have slowly demonstrated catastrophic environmental repercussions and complications – primarily, mercury pollution and land degradation. Passing Gold #4 captures a small slice of the damage being done in Obuasi. The man precariously perched between the two gashes in the soil represents the mutually destructive relationship between earth and man, as they both stand to ultimately destroy each other. A subject close to his heart and his home, Osodi also published a 2011 book titled Delta Nigeria- The Rape of Paradise in which he further sheds light upon the environmental devastation caused by extractive practices in the Niger Delta. In his effort to use photography as an instrument for change, Osodi tends to focus on photographing issue-related subjects with the hope that those in power will view and be inspired by his images and use their platforms to make tangible change.
Yasmeen Wirth ‘22
Bibliography:
“George Osodi.” George Osodi, georgeosodi.photoshelter.com/portfolio/G0000vg6oHC6G7LQ.
An online gallery of George Osodi’s entire “De Money” exhibition, it also appears to be his official website so the information and photographs on it are authentic and credible.
Hilson, Gavin. “The Environmental Impact of Small‐Scale Gold Mining in Ghana: Identifying Problems and Possible Solutions.” The Geographical Journal, vol. 168, no. 1, 2002, pp. 57–72., doi:10.1111/1475-4959.00038.
A journal article detailing some of the most severe environmental ramifications of gold mining in Ghana.
Schueler, Vivian, et al. “Impacts of Surface Gold Mining on Land Use Systems in Western Ghana.” Ambio, vol. 40, no. 5, 2011, pp. 528–539., doi:10.1007/s13280-011-0141-9.
A journal article discussing more of the environmental ramifications of ASM on western Africa, this article deals more specifically with land degradation.