Art Review: Amoako Boafo’s “I Bring Home With Me” at Roberts Projects
Amoako Boafo’s latest exhibition, “I Bring Home With Me,” at Roberts Projects in Los Angeles, offers a unique blend of portraiture and immersive experience. The show combines 22 portraits, including two self-portraits, created in Boafo’s distinctive style of collaged finger trails. These portraits serve as a window into the artist’s hometown of Accra, Ghana, showcasing the people, faces, and patterns that define his sense of place.
One of the standout features of this exhibition is Boafo’s incorporation of embroidery into his portraits, adding depth and texture to his subjects. Additionally, the collaboration with Glenn DeRoche of DeRoche Projects has resulted in a to-scale recreation of Boafo’s Accra studio within the gallery space. While originally intended to use Ghanaian teakwood, the structure is constructed of local plywood painted black, creating a communal gathering space complete with a family table area and a seating area adorned with fabric printed with Boafo’s previous works.
Boafo’s hands-on approach to painting, using his fingers to create a tangible texture in his portraits, mirrors the tactile experience of the exhibition space. The physicality of his technique enhances the humanity of each portrait, with colors like blues, blacks, browns, and grays coming together to capture the nuances of deep skin tones. This emphasis on physicality and texture echoes the show’s title, “I Bring Home With Me,” inviting viewers to connect with the subjects on a deeper level.
The exhibition primarily features regal portraits of feminine subjects, exuding a sense of resilience and community. Each portrait reflects a commitment to creating a safe and welcoming space, transforming simple rooms into vibrant communities. Boafo’s portrayal of homemaking extends to those who are part of the diaspora, highlighting the universal experience of recreating a sense of home in a new environment.
Overall, “Amoako Boafo: I Bring Home With Me” at Roberts Projects is a captivating exploration of identity, place, and community. Through his evocative portraits and immersive exhibition design, Boafo invites viewers to step into his world and connect with the people and stories that shape his sense of home. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this thought-provoking exhibition, on view at Roberts Projects until March 21st.
