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The Arts Intel Report

Amoako Boafo: Proper Love

Amoako Boafo, White Nail Polish, 2021.

Until Jan 12, 2025
Schloss Belvedere, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, 1030 Wien, Austria

“I’ve explored many technical and figurative expressions of skin tone and movement, realizing my process is best embellished when I paint with my fingers,” explains Amoako Boafo. “The lack of instrument allows the contour of the works to be confined, yet the skin tone remains expressive.” The figures Boafo paints stand proud against monochrome backgrounds, their skin executed in finger-painted swirls of blue, brown, peach, cream, gold, and pink oil paint—a reverberating, expressionist energy. Boafo is inspired by rising Black designers and creatives, and the majestic, sculptural quality of the people in his portraits is symbolic of Black identity. This is his first museum exhibition in Europe. —Elena Clavarino

Photo: Roberts Projects © 2024 Amoako Boafo / Licensed by Bildrecht, Vienna