Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo will open his first solo exhibition in Italy at the Museo di Palazzo Grimani in Venice this spring, timed to coincide with the 61st Venice Biennale (9 May–22 November 2026). The show, co-organized by Gagosian Gallery, will feature new and recent works inspired by the Renaissance atmosphere of the palazzo and the Venetian portrait tradition. Boafo is creating a series of new pieces specifically for the exhibition, directly referencing the historical context and unique architecture of the museum.
This exhibition marks a significant milestone for Boafo, whose vibrant portraits of Black figures have garnered both market success—his auction record stands at $3.4 million for 'Hands Up' (2018)—and critical acclaim. The show underscores the growing international recognition of contemporary African artists and the strategic pairing of living artists with historic Venetian venues during the Biennale, following Gagosian's earlier presentation of Georg Baselitz at the same museum in 2021.