Afia Prempeh

b. 1986, Ghana

Ghanaian artist Afia Prempeh weaves vibrant narratives through her genre-bending portraits, blending traditional techniques with innovative flair. Initially hesitant to explore the human figure, Prempeh now embraces the challenge, pouring her subjects' stories into each brushstroke. Drawing on art historical, political, and personal references, she creates densely layered figurative compositions that, while precise in style, conjure the complexity of contemporary experience.

Prempeh's work merges national Ghanaian traditions with contemporary life, reflecting her multifaceted perspective on both the unreal world of dreams and the real world of aspirations. Her large-scale paintings serve as reflective self-examinations, exploring psychological connections to one's past and future. The evolving role of women in today’s society is strongly emphasized, particularly in their professional aspirations, conveyed through details like an artist’s palette, a computer, and a business suit. Her women are portrayed looking forward to a bright future, confidently aware of their self-worth.

Prempeh, born in Kumasi, Ghana, earned her bachelor’s degree in painting from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2009. Her work has been exhibited in Ghana, London, New York, and Dubai, and is cherished by prominent collectors, including Reverends, Presidents, and corporate entities. In 2021, she was the artist in residence at the 1957 Gallery and had a solo exhibition. Now based in New York, Prempeh continues to push boundaries, merging tradition with innovation to create portraits that are not merely likenesses, but gateways to the emotions, stories, and experiences of her subjects.