Kwesi Botchway Ghana, b. 1994

Kwesi Botchway’s (b. 1994) emotionally-charged paintings highlight the idea of beauty in relation to the Black experience. Color plays a significant role in his work, symobolically expressing the character, community, culture, and language of his subjects. In his signature, angular brushtrokes, he emphasizes their black skin with purple hues, a color linked to royalty, grandeur, mystery, magic, seduction, and wisdom. While some of his subjects are inspired by real people, others are born from imagination. Also often informed by socio-political events around the world, the artist seeks to elevate the Black community, giving prominence to African culture in the history...