Kojo Marfo: Gatekeepers of Heritage

JD Malat Gallery is proud to announce the upcoming solo exhibition Gatekeepers of Heritage by London-based Ghanaian artist Kojo Marfo. The show presents a vibrant new body of paintings, marking his return to the dynamic art scene in New York. As a teenager in the 1990s, Marfo moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he studied and began his artistic career. Gatekeepers of Heritage acts as a mirror of his experiences from these years; the stylistic elements of Akan art are paired with his experiences in the West. Trying to find his place in the world, Marfo dabbled in art by hanging out with members of a graffiti crew. In the 90s, the city of New York was vibrant and flourishing with new artistic waves, giving Marfo the opportunity to spend time with people from a variety of different social circles. These social circles were rich with diverse cultural backgrounds which has ultimately inspired him to share their stories in his art. His aunt gave him 'the push' to  move to London with other relatives in 1999 after she found an empty can of spray paint rolling in his room. 

 

Gatekeepers of Heritage gives us an insight into Marfo's imagination and his understanding of society and human nature. With block colours, strong shapes, and the archaic gazes of his figures, Marfo gives the viewers his vibrant interpretation of the diverse narratives of different people he has encountered throughout his life.