![This image depicts an artwork by Kwesi Botchway titled "New Yorker at Heart." This artwork was created in 2024 and measures 40" x 30" [HxW] (101.6 x 76.2 cm)41 ¹⁄₄" x 31 ¹⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (104.77 x 79.37 x 5.71 cm) framed. Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kwesi-Botchway_BOT1040_1716936124.jpg)
Kwesi Botchway
“New Yorker at Heart,” 2024
“New Yorker at Heart,” 2024
Kwesi Botchway
“New Yorker at Heart,” 2024
Oil on canvas
40" x 30" [HxW] (101.6 x 76.2 cm)
41 ¹⁄₄" x 31 ¹⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (104.77 x 79.37 x 5.71 cm) framed
Inventory #BOT1040
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox
“New Yorker at Heart,” 2024
Oil on canvas
40" x 30" [HxW] (101.6 x 76.2 cm)
41 ¹⁄₄" x 31 ¹⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (104.77 x 79.37 x 5.71 cm) framed
Inventory #BOT1040
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox
![This image depicts an artwork by Kwesi Botchway titled "Swimming Lessons." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 88" x 79" x 1" [HxWxD] (223.52 x 200.66 x 2.54 cm); 89 ³⁄₄" x 80 ³⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (227.96 x 205.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed. Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kwesi-Botchway_BOT1014_1715801457.jpg)
Kwesi Botchway
"Swimming Lessons," 2023
"Swimming Lessons," 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Swimming Lessons,” 2023
Oil on canvas
88" x 79" x 1" [HxWxD] (223.52 x 200.66 x 2.54 cm); 89 ³⁄₄" x 80 ³⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (227.96 x 205.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1014
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer
“Swimming Lessons,” 2023
Oil on canvas
88" x 79" x 1" [HxWxD] (223.52 x 200.66 x 2.54 cm); 89 ³⁄₄" x 80 ³⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (227.96 x 205.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1014
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Robert Wedemeyer
Kwesi Botchway
“Afro Goddess,” 2023
“Afro Goddess,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Afro Goddess,” 2023
Oil on canvas
Triptych: 49" x 36 ³⁄₄" x 1" [HxWxD] (124.46 x 93.34 x 2.54 cm) Each Framed
Inventory #BOT1016
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
“Afro Goddess,” 2023
Oil on canvas
Triptych: 49" x 36 ³⁄₄" x 1" [HxWxD] (124.46 x 93.34 x 2.54 cm) Each Framed
Inventory #BOT1016
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
![This image depicts an artwork by Kwesi Botchway titled "Ataamέi shi ha wọ (Ancestors left it to us)." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 54" x 19" x 19" [HxWxD] (137.16 x 48.26 x 48.26 cm). Its medium is Mirrors and cloth.](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kwesi-Botchway_BOT1032_1715801485.jpg)
Kwesi Botchway
"Ataamέi shi ha wọ (Ancestors left it to us)," 2023
"Ataamέi shi ha wọ (Ancestors left it to us)," 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Ataamέi shi ha wọ (Ancestors left it to us),” 2023
Mirrors and cloth
54" x 19" x 19" [HxWxD] (137.16 x 48.26 x 48.26 cm)
Inventory #BOT1032
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Ataamέi shi ha wọ (Ancestors left it to us),” 2023
Mirrors and cloth
54" x 19" x 19" [HxWxD] (137.16 x 48.26 x 48.26 cm)
Inventory #BOT1032
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Kwesi Botchway
“Young, Gifted, And Black,” 2023
“Young, Gifted, And Black,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Young, Gifted, And Black,” 2023
Oil on canvas
88" x 79" [HxW] (223.52 x 200.66 cm); 89 ³⁄₄" x 80 ³⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (227.96 x 205.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1013
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated and annotated verso
“Young, Gifted, And Black,” 2023
Oil on canvas
88" x 79" [HxW] (223.52 x 200.66 cm); 89 ³⁄₄" x 80 ³⁄₄" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (227.96 x 205.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1013
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated and annotated verso
Kwesi Botchway
“The Night Is Young,” 2023
“The Night Is Young,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“The Night Is Young,” 2023
Oil and acylic on canvas
70 ¹⁄₂" x 63 ¹⁄₂" x 1" [HxWxD] (179.07 x 161.29 x 2.54 cm); 72 ¹⁄₄" x 65" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (183.51 x 165.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1008
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
“The Night Is Young,” 2023
Oil and acylic on canvas
70 ¹⁄₂" x 63 ¹⁄₂" x 1" [HxWxD] (179.07 x 161.29 x 2.54 cm); 72 ¹⁄₄" x 65" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (183.51 x 165.1 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1008
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
Kwesi Botchway
“Iced Cuban Chain Reflect,” 2023
“Iced Cuban Chain Reflect,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Iced Cuban Chain Reflect,” 2023
Oil on canvas
48" x 36" [HxW] (121.92 x 91.44 cm); 49" x 36" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (124.46 x 91.44 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1017
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
“Iced Cuban Chain Reflect,” 2023
Oil on canvas
48" x 36" [HxW] (121.92 x 91.44 cm); 49" x 36" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (124.46 x 91.44 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1017
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
Kwesi Botchway
“Elizabeth Okine,” 2023
“Elizabeth Okine,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Elizabeth Okine,” 2023
Oil on canvas
35 ¹⁄₂" x 34" [HxW] (90.17 x 86.36 cm); 36 ¹⁄₂" x 35" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (92.71 x 88.9 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1004
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Elizabeth Okine,” 2023
Oil on canvas
35 ¹⁄₂" x 34" [HxW] (90.17 x 86.36 cm); 36 ¹⁄₂" x 35" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (92.71 x 88.9 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1004
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Kwesi Botchway
“Black Baker Boy Cap,” 2023
“Black Baker Boy Cap,” 2023
Kwesi Botchway
“Black Baker Boy Cap,” 2023
Oil on canvas
39 ¹⁄₂" x 35" [HxW] (100.33 x 88.9 cm); 40 ¹⁄₂" x 36" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (102.87 x 91.44 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1003
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Black Baker Boy Cap,” 2023
Oil on canvas
39 ¹⁄₂" x 35" [HxW] (100.33 x 88.9 cm); 40 ¹⁄₂" x 36" x 2 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (102.87 x 91.44 x 5.71 cm) Framed
Inventory #BOT1003
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Kwesi Botchway
“Lady in blonde bob wig,” 2022
“Lady in blonde bob wig,” 2022
Kwesi Botchway
“Lady in blonde bob wig,” 2022
Oil on canvas
29 ³⁄₄" x 29 ³⁄₄" x ⁷⁄₈" [HxWxD] (75.56 x 75.56 x 2.22 cm)
Inventory #BOT1001
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Dated, titled and annotated verso
“Lady in blonde bob wig,” 2022
Oil on canvas
29 ³⁄₄" x 29 ³⁄₄" x ⁷⁄₈" [HxWxD] (75.56 x 75.56 x 2.22 cm)
Inventory #BOT1001
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
Dated, titled and annotated verso
Kwesi Botchway
“Beach Habits,” 2022
“Beach Habits,” 2022
Kwesi Botchway
“Beach Habits,” 2022
Acrylic and oil on canvas
81" x 50" (206 x 127 cm) [HxW] each, 81" x 102" (206 x 254 cm) [HxW] overall
Inventory #BOT1000
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
“Beach Habits,” 2022
Acrylic and oil on canvas
81" x 50" (206 x 127 cm) [HxW] each, 81" x 102" (206 x 254 cm) [HxW] overall
Inventory #BOT1000
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Brica Wilcox
Signed, dated, titled and annotated verso
- Born in 1994, Accra, Ghana
- Lives and works in Accra, Ghana
Selected Solo and Two Person Exhibitions
- 2023
- "Kwesi Botchway: There’s More Than What the Eye Witnesses," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- 2022
- "Rumors of Blackness," Maruani Mercier Gallery, Brussels, Belgium
- 2021
- THE ARMORY SHOW, Booth P19, Gallery 1957, New York, NY
- 2020
- "Becoming As Well As Being," Gallery 1957, London, UK
- "Dark Purple Is Everything Black," Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana
- 2017
- Hos Oona Galleri & Sundhed, Vejle, Denmark
Selected Group Exhibitions
- 2023-2024
- "Accra! The Rise of a Global Art Community," The Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH
- 2023
- "Pop Masters: Art From the Mugrabi Collection," HOTA Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- "Filling in the Pieces in Black," Maurani Mercier, Brussels, Belgium & Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
- "Perpetual Portrait," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- "It's here, it's there, it's everywhere," Ghana National Museum, Accra, Ghana
- "It's Time," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- 2022-2023
- "Unlimited," Gallery 1957, Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast, Ghana
- "When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting," Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2021
- "[West] African Resistance," Gallery 1957, (In Collaboration with Christie's Dubai), Dubai, UAE
- "Resistance," Maruani Mercier Gallery, Knokke, Belgium
- "Homecoming : Aesthetic of the cool," Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana
- "Wake-up Call," blijven liggen/laten staan, Collection Tanguy & Bieke Van
- "Quickenborne," Platform 6a by Deweer, Otegem, Belgium
- 2020
- "Cgunu/Nkambom Art Exhibition," Cape Town, South Africa
- 2019
- Chalewote Street Art Festival, Pidginimaginarium, Accra, Ghana
- Sabolai Radio Music Festival, Accra, Ghana
- 2018
- James Town Caf Exhibition, Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall visit to Ghana, Chalewote Street Art Festival, PARAOTHER 2018, Accra, Ghana
- Artist Alliance Gallery, Accra, Ghana
- 2017
- Hos Oona Galleri & Sundhed, Denmark
- Chalewote Street Art Festival, wata mata, Accra, Ghana
- Qaba Exhibition, Alliance Francaise, Accra, Ghana
- Ghana Culture Forum / National Theatre, Accra, Ghana
- 2016
- "Let’s Talk Shit project," Alliance Francaise, Accra, Ghana
- 555 Art Exhibition, Accra, Ghana
- Africa Contemporary Art Gabah, Hamburg, Germany
- Hos Oona Galleri og Sundhed, Vejle, Denmark
- Chalewote Street Art Festival, Spirit Robot, Accra, Ghana
- Dzala Butiq, Brazil House, Accra, Ghana
- Novica Gallery, Accra, Ghana
- 2015
- Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra, Ghana
- Ghana National Museum, Accra, Ghana
- Ghanatta College of Art and Design, Art Center, Accra, Ghana
Bibliography
- 2024
- Brownell, Gianne. "From Africa to Hong Kong, a Gallery’s Influence Grows," The New York Times, March 20 (Link)
- 2023
- Ahluwalia, Navi. "Ghanaian Painter Kwesi Botchway Explores The Black Gaze In LA Solo Exhibition," HypeBae, June 16 (Link)
- Ghassemitari, Shawn. "Kwesi Botchway Explores the Black Gaze in Latest Exhibition," HypeArt, June 15 (Link)
- Baumgardner, Julie. "‘This Is a Moment They Have to Grab’: How Ghana’s Art Stars Are Building a Movement to Outlast the Speculators and Market Frenzies," Artnet, April 12 (Link)
- O'Leary, Erin. "It’s Time | Vielmetter Los Angeles," Photography, March 1
- Larsson, Chari. "Did pop art have its heyday in the 1960s? Perhaps. But it is also utterly contemporary," The Conversation, February 21 (Link)
- Mousse Magazine Staff. "“It’s Time” at Vielmetter, Los Angeles," Mousse Magazine, February 18 (Link)
- Nys Dambrot, Shana. "A Pair of Exhibitions Renovate Portraiture and Perfection at Vielmetter Los Angeles," LA Weekly, February 9
- Clayton, Dominique. "The Best Black Art Shows in Los Angeles Right Now," Cultured, January 30
- 2022
- Proctor, Rebecca Anne. "Artist-Led Spaces Are Proliferating Around the World, Filling a Gap Caused by Dwindling Public Funding and Market Pressures," ArtNet, December 26 (Link)
- Tali, Selorm. "Kwesi Botchway: Ghanaian artist sells out masterpiece work after days of release," The Pulse, July 14 (Link)
- Opera News Staff. "Kwesi Botchway showcases Captivating Paintings in Brussels," Opera News, May (Link)
- Essien, Vanessa. "Kwesi Botchway: Using Art as a Tool for Change and Inspiring the Next Generation of Artists," Prazzle, March 10 (Link)
- Takac, Balasz. "Kwesi Botchway Celebrates Black Beauty at Maruani Mercier," Widewalls, February 16 (Link)
- 2021
- Stoilas, Helen, Daniel Cassady, Nancy Kenney and Gabriella Angeleti, and Wallace Ludel"New and noteworthy: see what the Armory Show's younger galleries are bringing to the fair," The Art Newspaper, September 2 (Link)
- Black, Holly. "Kwesi Botchway: “I Wanted Viewers to Appreciate All Different Parts of Me”," Elephant, May 7 (Link)
- Rotinwa, Ayodeji. "As the market for their artists booms, African galleries take control by expanding to the West," The Art Newspaper, April 20 (Link)
- Rotinwa, Ayodeji. "Cool Intentions," Artforum, April 14 (Link)
- Barnes, Ekow. "The Culture List: Celebrating Groundbreaking Black Artists Around The World," Ebony, April 4 (Link)
- Rea, Naomi. "Studio Visit: Kwesi Botchway on the Importance of Painting Faces and Celebrating His Fellow Ghanaian Artists," Artnet, March 30 (Link)
- Kraft, Coralie. "The T List: Five Things We Recommend This Week:," T Magazine, January 7 (Link)
- "Kwesi Botchway," Gallery 1957, DG3 Leycol, London, UK (Catalog)
- 2020
- Emelife, Aindrea. "Kwesi Botchway’s Defiant Figures Examine the Black Experience," Frieze, December 11 (Link)
- Sporn, Stephanie. "For Ghanaian Portraitist Kwesi Botchway, Fashion and Power Go Hand in Hand," Galerie Magazine, November 13 (Link)
- Brady, Anna and Margaret Carrigan. "Our pick of must-see gallery shows opening around the world in November," The Art Newspaper, November 2 (Link)
- Edquist, Grace. "Ghanaian Artist Kwesi Botchway Revels in the Many Colors of Blackness in a New London Show," Vogue, October 27 (Link)
Awards, Fellowships, and Grants
- 2021
- Dark Purple is Everything Black, Gallery 1957, Ghana
- 2020
- Gallery 1957 Residency, Accra, Ghana (January - March)
- 2019
- GUBA Awards USA Nominee — Influential Artist
Catalogues and Publications
- 2023
- Botchway, Kwesi and Larry Ossei-Mensah. "Kwesi Botchway: There's More Than What The Eye Witnesses," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Of Wit Editorial, Small Graphic Projects (exhibition catalogue)
- 2022
- Perrée, Rob and Shaquille Heath. "Rumors of Blackness," MARUANI MERCIER Gallery, Graphius, Brussels, Belgium (exhibition catalogue)
Public Collections
- Arsenal Art Center, Canada
- Belgium High Fashion Foundation, New York, NY
- Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY
- High Fashion Foundation, New York, NY
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL
- The Israel Museum, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, Canada
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
- Vanhaerents Art Foundation, Brussels, Belgium