DERRICK OFOSU BOATENG

In Boateng’s presentation, he unveils imaginary narratives through embedded proverbial sayings from the Akan tribe of Ghana. The bright-coloured pictographic images serve as a wonderful amalgamation of interpreting ancient rituals through a modern lense.

On view from  June 2022 – July 2022, Derrick Ofosu Boateng is a Ghanaian fine art photographer and practitioner, inspired by the rich and authentic traditional cultures of Africa and the continent’s contemporary practices. Through the use of visual iconography and poetry, he brings the teachings and proverbs of Ghana’s Akan tribe to life, revealing the positivity, strength and joys within his community.

The Shades of Our Proverbs is a body of work from 2021 – 2022 that unveils Boateng’s imaginary narratives through embedded proverbial sayings from the Akan tribe of Ghana. The bright-coloured pictographic images serve as a wonderful amalgamation of interpreting ancient rituals through a modern lens. Boateng wants his audiences to draw on indigenous knowledge in their critical understanding of the world around us. Asafo Ntoma: (One does not treat an important matter as if it were a mere trifle), for example, boarders on the universal ethics of taking matters seriously and acknowledging the superficial. The subject, draped in traditional Ghana kente cloth, playfully poses with his boxing gear, ready to take the world on.

The vibrant digital portraits, take the viewer on an exciting visual journey, bursting with life, feel-good mundane scenes, saturated colours, whimsical motifs and emotive metaphors.

I started this journey with passion and that passion is what has led me to perceive an extraordinary beauty. Nothing has changed with respect to the richness of African art, it is the bridge of understanding that is broken. Many see but do not understand the intensity of the messages that are being disseminated, look closely and witness visual proverbs.- Derrick Ofosu Boateng

The Shades of Our Proverbs is viewed as a vehicle for communicating Boateng’s visual proverbs as crafted from belief systems and behavior of groups and individuals within the society. Each subject or image is inspired by an Akan proverb, creating enhanced realities and interactive energies.