First solo exhibition in Italy by the Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo

Palazzo Grimani Museum, a rare example of Tuscan-Roman Renaissance architecture in Venice, has established itself as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the city, combining its collection of classical and modern works with some of the most interesting explorations in the field of contemporary art. Amoako Boafo’s exhibition continues the Museum’s commitment to contemporary art in dialogue with the history of this place and with Renaissance Venice. Boafo’s work, with its powerful exploration of the themes of identity and style, brings a fresh and contemporary interpretation of the great Venetian artistic tradition, especially as regards portraiture. Inspired by the unique architecture of Palazzo Grimani, the exhibition contributes to creating a dialogue between historical spaces and contemporary perspectives, thanks to the exceptional nature of its setting.

Amoako Boafo reinterprets the genre of portraiture, establishing himself as one of the key artists in defining contemporary African culture and its diaspora. Boafo’s elegant paintings elevate his subjects, capturing their confidence, style and character. In his portraits Boafo paints the figures by manipulating the pigment with his fingers: a direct contact that replaces the brush and transforms the gesture into a visible trace.

Boafo was born in 1984 in Accra, Ghana, where he currently lives and works. In 2013 he moved to Vienna, where together with the artist and curator Sunanda Mesquita he founded We Dey, a center for exhibitions, workshops, and community programs to give voice to the needs of black and LGBTQ+ artists.

Confronting the marginalization of the black community in Austria, Boafo decides to focus on the portrait of black subjects, largely underrepresented in the global contemporary art scene. His self-portraits are autobiographical explorations of himself, expressions of vulnerability and creativity that question traditional narratives of masculinity. Other works depict men, women and couples, chosen from people friends or esteemed by the artist. These works convey individuality and an active presence: most of the figures, in fact, meet the viewer’s gaze, thus affirming a strong sense of identity.

Drawing inspiration from the Renaissance atmosphere of Palazzo Grimani, Boafo shifts his gaze to the rich Venetian portrait tradition. The artist engages directly with the historical context and unique architecture of the Palace in a series of new works created specifically for this exhibition. These powerful new works, which continue his signature exploration of identity and style, will be installed on the second floor of the Palazzo, in a fascinating dialogue between the contemporary representation of black people and the enduring legacy of the masterpieces of Venetian art. (by Paolo Martini)