Amoako Boafo Drew on Venice’s Rich Creative Heritage for His First Solo Show in Italy
Amoako Boafo's first solo show in Italy opened at the Museo di Palazzo Grimani during the Venice Biennale. The exhibition, titled 'It doesn’t have to always make sense,' showcases Boafo's finger-painted portraits and emphasizes community and personal history. It features a 'heroine wall' honoring influential women, including the late Koyo Kouoh, who was a significant figure in contemporary African art.
- ▪Amoako Boafo's exhibition opened in May and will be on view until November 22.
- ▪The show includes a video documenting Boafo's life and works by his friends and collaborators.
- ▪The 'heroine wall' features portraits of women who have influenced Boafo, including Koyo Kouoh.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ArtsAmoako Boafo Drew on Venice’s Rich Creative Heritage for His First Solo Show in ItalyBy Stephanie SpornMay 26, 2026Amoako Boafo, Mozzarella White Lace Top, 2026. Oil on canvas. 74 1/2 x 55 1/8 inches (189 x 140 cm).Photo: Leonardo Cestari. Courtesy the artist and GagosianSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyPresenting his first solo show in Italy was not something Amoako Boafo took lightly. It’s “meaningful because of the weight of [Italy’s] art historical legacy, especially in a place like Venice,” the Ghanaian artist, celebrated for his finger-painted portraits of stylish Black sitters, tells Vogue. “But for me, it was never about entering that history as an outsider looking in.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Vogue.
