Godfried Donkor Presents New Works at Venice Biennale 2026, Honoring Koyo Kouoh

Gallery 1957 has announced that artist Godfried Donkor will participate in the main exhibition of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. The presentation, part of the exhibition 'Minor Keys' curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Donkor will showcase a newly commissioned painting titled 'Michael and the Dragon II' (2026), along with three additional new paintings and four works on paper from his 2017 exhibition 'The First Day of the Yam Custom: 1817', originally curated by Kouoh. This selection pays tribute to Donkor's long-standing professional relationship with Kouoh, whose curatorial work significantly influenced contemporary African art discourse. In 'Michael and the Dragon II', Donkor employs mythological imagery and a slave ship motif to explore themes of transatlantic slavery, integrating elements like the Financial Times newspaper to examine economic power and historical memory. The earlier works, including 'Queen Mother' (2017) and 'FT Man' (2017), recontextualize a 19th-century illustration by Thomas Edward Bowdich, engaging with archival materials from Ghana's Asante region. This Venice appearance coincides with a notable year for Donkor, featuring his first UK solo exhibition at Firstsite in Colchester from May 23 to August 30, 2026, and participation in the group show 'Tirailleurs: Trials and Tribulations' at Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin from March 21 to June 14, 2026. The UK exhibition will incorporate archival photography and watercolours by Thomas and Sarah Bowdich, transformed through mixed media, while the Berlin show includes Donkor's boxer paintings, highlighting his focus on African soldiers in World War II. Born in Ghana in 1964, Donkor is known for collages using newspaper and gold leaf, addressing socio-historical connections between Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. His accolades include the 1998 Prix de la Revelation at the Dakar Biennale and a 2023 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship, with works in collections such as the Stedelijk Museum and the Smithsonian Museum of African Art. Donkor expressed that the Venice invitation is meaningful for honoring Kouoh's memory and continuing their dialogue on a global platform.