Amoako Boafo is in high spirits as he prepares for a major milestone: his first solo exhibition in London, titled “I Do Not Come to You by Chance,” hosted by the prestigious Gagosian Gallery. The show marks a turning point in the Ghanaian artist’s career—one that has surged to international acclaim in just a few short years.

At age 40, Boafo is celebrated for his bold, figurative portraiture—often featuring Black men and women rendered in richly textured color blocks and expressive fingertip-painting. His latest works include depictions of poised individuals in lace, patterned garments, and jewelry, as well as a striking self-portrait on a bicycle, adorned with gold chains and printed chintz.

Departing from the sterile “white-cube” model, the Gagosian exhibition space is transformed with patterned wallpaper and even features a full-scale recreation of Boafo’s childhood courtyard in Accra, Ghana.

“Bringing the courtyard to London is me bringing home with me,” Boafo explained via Zoom. “It’s the place where I learned how to bathe, take care of myself, sit quietly, and be disciplined.”

That mix of personal history and cultural pride is central to Boafo’s identity as an artist. His career ignited in 2018, while completing his MFA at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. It was then that American portraitist Kehinde Wiley best known for painting President Barack Obama discovered Boafo’s work on Instagram.

“He suggested my work to his galleries,” Boafo recalled. “That’s when everything started to change.”

And change it did. In 2021, Boafo’s painting “Hands Up” shattered expectations at Christie’s Hong Kong, selling for over 26 million HKD ($3.4 million USD)—a record-breaking auction price that confirmed his growing stature in the global art market.

Boafo’s work has since been collected by major institutions and celebrities alike, with shows in cities from Los Angeles to Paris. Yet, this London debut feels particularly significant—a fusion of personal origin and professional triumph.

The title of the show, “I Do Not Come to You by Chance,” reflects Boafo’s journey, which has been equal parts fate, hustle, and community. It’s a nod to the long-standing cultural narratives he carries into elite spaces, where Black bodies, Black joy, and Black selfhood are rendered with pride, power, and vibrant imagination.

As his presence expands globally, Boafo remains rooted in the symbols and scenes of his upbringing reminding audiences that where we come from is as powerful as where we’re headed.