AMOAKO BOAFO
‘Detoxing Masculinity’
22nd June – 8th July 2017
WE DEY x space
‘Detoxing Masculinity’ presents the latest self-portrait series of Amoako Boafo in a solo exhibition. The artist presents works that continue the explorations and engagement with personal narratives in relation to collective histories, as well as materiality, and process. The large-scale oil paintings underline Amoako Boafo’s multifaceted references from the fields of literature, iconography and traditional painting, inspired by his personal quest to free himself from society‘s norms and limitations.
In Detoxing Masculinity the artists reflects on his religious upbringing, toxic notions of masculinity and his transformation to self-validation and becoming. While disrupting the white gaze onto his naked Black body with non-stereotypical representations of Black masculinity, the series can be read as journey, longing for self-love and self-care. Black self-love is revolutionary in a world, which still sees the Black male body as something to be consumed, to be hyper-sexualized and at the same time something to be afraid of.
Sunanda Mesquita
curator/co-founder of WE DEY
WE DEY 