Amoako Boafo Brings a Slice of Accra to Gagosian London in 'I Do Not Come to You by Chance'
The Ghanaian artist’s UK solo debut.
Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo’s ascent to art stardom has been nothing short of stellar. In 2021, his work was launched into space, marking a major moment for the artist and African contemporary art at large. That same year, Kim Jones tapped him to create visuals for Dior’s Summer 2021 campaign, and later, he caught the attention of mega-dealer Larry Gagosian, who referred to him as the “future of portraiture.”
Now the renowned painter is making his UK solo debut with I Do Not Come to You by Chance at Gagosian London – a celebration of his Accra roots and a tribute to the artistic community that gave way to his meteoric rise. Unfolding across three rooms, the exhibition introduces a new body of fingertip-painted works – celebrations of Black joy that “counter the flawed narrative of stereotypes” with tender expressions of “intimacy, community and self-determination.”
A marriage of art and architecture, the show debuts the artist’s first double-sided freestanding painting – a pair of life-sized femme figures are posed back-to-back on folding wooden panels. The piece reimagines nkyinkyim, an Adinkra symbol that represents the twists and turns of life, and in turn, the resilience and perseverance of Boafo’s figures as they navigate a tumultuous social world.
“I make paintings that allow me to celebrate where I come from and what I aspire to be, while sharing unique perspectives and understanding,” the artist shared in a recent statement.
At the heart of the presentation lies a recreation of the courtyard from the artist’s childhood home, where he first learned to paint. Created in collaboration with designer Glenn DeRoche, who worked on Boafo’s artist residency program, dot.ateliers, the structure fuses personal narratives with the spirit of collaborative creativity, where families and artists come together to share ideas, materials and inspirations.
I Do Not Come to You by Chance is now on view through May 24.
Gagosian London – Grosvenor Hill
20 Grosvenor Hill,
London W1K 3QD
