Proper Love

The Belvedere Museum in Vienna presents Proper Love, the first European museum exhibition of Ghanaian painter Amoako Boafo, running from October 25th, 2024, to January 12th, 2025. Curated by Sergey Harutoonian, the exhibition showcases Boafo’s vibrant portraits of friends, acquaintances, and public figures, celebrating contemporary Black identity and empowerment. Boafo, one of today’s most influential Black artists, developed his unique finger-painting technique while studying at Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts, giving his works a distinct sculptural quality.

Proper Love highlights Boafo’s approach to Black identity as a counter to racial stereotypes, with subjects exuding confidence and often engaging the viewer directly. His innovative use of patterned paper and textured clothing in his portraits reflects both African heritage and historical dress codes. The exhibition continues at the Upper Belvedere, where Boafo’s works are displayed alongside Viennese modernists like Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, creating a dialogue between eras.

A bilingual catalogue featuring contributions from Ekow Eshun, Taiye Selasi, and others accompanies the exhibition, offering insights into Boafo’s journey and themes.

Explore the creative world of Amoako Boafo in our in-depth interview.