Deep Dive: Amoako Boafo, 61st Venice Biennale & Creation through Relaxation
This week, I read an article from The Art Newspaper, announcing Amoako Boafo’s solo exhibition at the Museo di Palazzo Grimani in Venice, taking place during the 61st Venice Biennale in May 2026.
The Art Newspaper, Gareth Harris, Jan. 16, 2026.
The Art Newspaper, Gareth Harris, Jan. 16, 2026.
This is a prestigous honor for an artist, and an incredible milestone in Boafo’s career.
The article reminded me of learning about Amoako Boafo and his work a few years back.
I promised myself then, that I would dive deeper into the artist as part of my self-study.
Time went by, and that promise waded in the wind.
However, after reading this article by The Art Newspaper, I pulled out my Architectural Digest magazine, June 2024.
Paperclipped and tabbed with post it notes of handwritten thoughts, I easily flipped right to page 98.
I’ve read this article numerous times, stared into the photos of Boafo’s work, tabbed and saved this write up to revisit for a future Memoirs blog post.
The future is finally here. A dream no longer deferred by procrastination and the seeking of divine timing.
The moment was here, perfectly inspired by the algorithm’s designed, timed, sponsored post in my Facebook feed.
The beauty of committing to this weekly, writing practice, is that it encourages me to prioritize reading, study and taking time to deep dive into something, or in this case, someone that deeply inspires me—Ghanaian figurative painter, Amoako Boafo.
The article, written by Lola Ogunnaike, elegantly summarizes Boafo’s “meteoric” rise in the art work, highlighting Boafo’s many, significant achievements, while also showcasing Boafo’s artist residency he opened in Accra, the largest city in Ghana. Architectural Digest Magazine, Lola Ogunnaike, Vol. June 2024; pgs 98-103.
What resonated most to me, was learning about the intention to transform one of the residency properties “to serve as an invite-only haven, dedicated to rest, reflection, and restoration.” Architectural Digest Magazine, Lola Ogunnaike, Vol. June 2024;pgs 98-103.
The article describes Boafo as someone who, “thinks that one can actually create by doing nothing, by giving yourself time and space to think, and not actually putting hand to canvas or sculpture.” Architectural Digest Magazine, Lola Ogunnaike, Vol. June 2024;pgs 98-103.
This statement deeply resonated with me, because I often feel a lot of the “work” sometimes, has nothing to do with physically creating something.
Much of it, if not the majority of creation happens within the mind, first.
Including, the unconscious mind.
This idea piggybacks from last week’s blog, “Procrastination, Art and the Unconscious Mind.”
The creative act is not only within the doing, but also within rest, relaxation, and recovery.
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”
In our western culture, we idolize high achievers, hard work, and ambition. But we also experience the negative consequences that come with this prioritization of success, results and status symbols.
We ultimately suffer.
We feel deeply unhappy, anxious, depressed and unfullfilled…
We seek medication or magic to rid ourselves of our ailments, when really, we may really, just need a nap, more quality time with people we love, leisure time away from our phones, to explore a hobby or simply pursue something that we love or enjoy—just for the sake of it.
No validation.
No approval.
Just for fun.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
When you have worked hard, gave it your all, that’s when its time rest— give up your desired aim to a higher power, or serendipitous timing.
As Tony Horton would always say in his P90X workouts, “Give your best, and forget the rest.”
I wish you a safe, and deeply relaxing weekend,—filled with creativity, leisure, or simple, blissful nothingness.