Amoako Boafo's First Italian Solo Show Opens at Palazzo Grimani During Venice Biennale
From May 6 to November 22, 2026, Palazzo Grimani in Venice will showcase Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo's inaugural solo exhibition in Italy. Organized by Gagosian, this event aligns with the 61st Venice Biennale and is titled 'It Doesn't Have to Always Make Sense.' The exhibition contrasts contemporary artistic expressions with Renaissance influences. Boafo, recognized for his finger-painting technique, produces textured portraits that convey psychological depth and highlight the lack of representation of Black individuals in Western art. The display incorporates Venetian damasks, Burano lace, Ghanaian motifs, and a novel paper transfer method, along with a video and poetic writings. Boafo's art is situated within the 'Black Figuration' movement, echoing the 2022 exhibition 'When We See Us,' curated by Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025).
Key facts
- Amoako Boafo's first Italian solo exhibition at Palazzo Grimani, Venice
- Exhibition runs from May 6 to November 22, 2026
- Produced by Gagosian, concurrent with 61st Venice Biennale
- Boafo applies paint with his fingers, creating textured surfaces
- Show incorporates Venetian damasks, Burano lace, Ghanaian patterns
- Features paper transfer technique, video, and poetic texts
- Referenced exhibition 'When We See Us' (2022) by Koyo Kouoh at Zeitz MOCAA
- Title references Ava DuVernay's series 'When They See Us'
Entities
Artists
- Amoako Boafo
- Egon Schiele
- Koyo Kouoh
- Tandazani Dhlakama
- Ava DuVernay
- Georg Baselitz
- Stephen Allotey
- Raphael Worlasi Langani
- Glenn DeRoche
- Samuel Fosso
- Seydou Keïta
- David Adjaye
- Aryz
- Francesco Faraci
- Tony Futura
- Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet
- Celia Jacobs
- Yuri Catania
- Dima Rebus
- Olafur Eliasson
- Thérèse Mulgrew
Institutions
- Palazzo Grimani
- Gagosian
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- Museo di Palazzo Grimani
- Venice Biennale
- DeRoche Projects
- Dot Ateliers Ogbojo
- dot.ateliers
- Westwing
- Crosby Studios
- Wu-Tang Clan
- Clarks
- Great Salt Lake
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Accra
- Ghana
- Vienna
- Austria
- New York
- United States
- Burano
- Ogbojo
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- London
- United Kingdom
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Palermo
- California
- Memory Grove
- Great Salt Lake
Sources
- Exibart —
- Vogue Arts —
- Collater.al —