Amoako Boafo, Monstera Leaf Background, 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim.
Amoako Boafo Painting an honest narrative of the world, filled with energy, emotion, and community.
Featuring Amoako Boafo's work on the cover, the latest issue of Whitewall Magazine, includes a fascinating interview between Eliza Jordan and the artist, exploring Boafo's evolving artistic practice and technique.
Boafo’s current exhibition at the Belvedere Museum in Vienna (Proper Love, October 2024–January 2025) represents a homecoming for him, as it is his first solo exhibition in Europe and reflects how Vienna influenced his development from "being present" to "being seen". The exhibition spans his career, showcasing both new and early works that continue to explore themes of Black representation, self-perception, and empowerment.
In the interview, Boafo emphasizes the importance of energy in his subjects, explaining that he is drawn to the emotional resonance of the figures he portrays. The texture in his paintings serves as a physical manifestation of emotion, helping to elevate the figures he depicts. His studio in Accra, filled with the energy of friends and fellow creatives, plays a crucial role in informing his work and reinforcing the sense of community he values.
"It’s important for me to instill a sense of community in every aspect of what I do" - Amoako Boafo.
Beyond painting, Boafo is expanding his artistic practice into other mediums like stained glass and mosaics, as demonstrated in his recent solo exhibition The One That Got Away in Mexico City. These new mediums allow him to replicate the textures and emotional depth central to his artwork. He also reflects on his past fashion collaboration with Dior, noting the alignment between the fashion and art worlds in their shared pursuit of empowerment and self-definition.
