Overview

I want the viewer to feel that we are one, no matter whether black or white we are all human beings who are connected and anything is possible when we are together and fight together. 

In capturing the layered essence of the black bodies in my work, I seek to capture a sense of balance and conflict within a single entity captured as a demi-god. I have always looked to push the boundaries of representation and I believe it is important to celebrate the complexity of existence that black people turn to internalize. 

Biography

For me capturing black bodies in the abstract form sort of skews towards an idea of the supernatural - almost like superheroes and super heroines (some I know and some I do not). Though our bodies are usually politicized, I seek to further practice reclaiming our narrative like many great artists before me by capturing black bodies in a potent reverence. 

A graduate of the Ghanatta Institute of Art and Design, Emmanuel Taku studied with well-known figurative painters Amoako Boafo and Otis Quaicoe, and has been practicing different forms of portraiture for more than ten years. His subjects are often clothed in striking floral prints, applied using a distinct silk screen method. He incorporates a variety of materials including textiles, newspaper, fiberglass, fiber net, mesh, and plywood.

A nod to Malick Sidibé, the artist combines his focus on portraiture with a longstanding passion for textiles and patterns, passed on to him by his mother. For the artist, adding layers of abstraction...



Works
  • Emmanuel Taku, Sister's Keeper in Green, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Sister's Keeper in Green, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    211 x 122.5 cm
    83 1/8 x 48 1/4 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Aura of Drip, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Aura of Drip, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    225 x 170 x 4 cm
    88 5/8 x 66 7/8 x 1 5/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Trinity, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Trinity, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 150 cm
    78 3/4 x 59 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Rockers, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Rockers, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 cm
    78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Ballerafro, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Ballerafro, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    199.5 x 199 x 4 cm
    78 1/2 x 78 3/8 x 1 5/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Sensous Flow, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Sensous Flow, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    208 x 158 x 4 cm
    81 7/8 x 62 1/4 x 1 5/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Eye of the Storm, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Eye of the Storm, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    208 x 155 cm
    81 7/8 x 61 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Party in Purple, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Party in Purple, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    211 x 208 cm
    83 1/8 x 81 7/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Rogue Style, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Rogue Style, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 150 cm
    78 3/4 x 59 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Lithe Diamond, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Lithe Diamond, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 127 cm
    78 3/4 x 50 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Easy Flair, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Easy Flair, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 160 x 4 cm
    78 3/4 x 63 x 1 5/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Steely Vogue, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Steely Vogue, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200.5 x 126.5 x 4 cm
    79 x 49 3/4 x 1 5/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Stairs of Thought, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Stairs of Thought, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    199 x 149 x 4 cm
    78 3/8 x 58 5/8 x 1 5/8 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Breezy style, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Breezy style, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 126 cm
    78 3/4 x 49 5/8 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Deep Vibes, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Deep Vibes, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 cm
    78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Sister's support, 2022
    Emmanuel Taku
    Sister's support, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 300 cm
    78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in.
  • Emmanuel Taku, Golden Boys, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Golden Boys, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 cm
    78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Red Hat Sisters, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Red Hat Sisters, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 130 cm
    78 37/50 x 51 9/50 inches
  • Emmanuel Taku, Two Brothers in Teal, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Two Brothers in Teal, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    84 1/2 x 57 1/4 in
    214.5 x 145.5 cm
  • Emmanuel Taku, Lilac Sisters In Veil, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Lilac Sisters In Veil, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    136 x 95 cm
    53 1/2 x 37 3/8 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Sisters In Green Of Sacred Heart, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Sisters In Green Of Sacred Heart, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 cm
    78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Teal Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Teal Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    138 x 200 cm
    54 3/8 x 78 3/4 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Yellow Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Yellow Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    127 x 200 cm
    50 x 78 3/4 in
  • Emmanuel Taku, Amethyst Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    Emmanuel Taku
    Amethyst Sister’s Keeper, 2021
    acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 cm
    78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in
Exhibitions
News
Art Fairs