Louise “GaGa” Metzger

Louise “Gaga” Metzger (1934–2019) was a pioneering Sierra Leonean artist, educator, and cultural leader who established Sierra Leone’s first permanent artist-run space, Gaga Studio (later Gaga Gallery) in 1986. Renowned for her profound impact on local modern art and mentorship, her work combined West African traditions with modern techniques. The preceding text is from the article at unx-art.net

The Managing Partner of Toso&Jura met Mrs Metzger in 2013 at Gaga Gallery in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Most of the art on display was hers and we agreed on a price for five pieces of my choice. She explained the process of making each piece and gave me the title with the connecting story that was in both English and Krio (an English variant of the Creole language). We had a fascinating conversation during my two hour visit. Ms Metzger also created a postage stamp design for the United Nations and there is a book titled Gaga Studio authored by Ms Metzger that is in the Smithsonian Library.