Tate Modern Museum just acquired Amoako Boafo’s Blank Stare (2021) at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech. This landmark acquisition reflects Tate’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its collection by including more contemporary African art.
Following its acquisition, Osei Bonsu, the curator of international art at Tate Modern Museum states
‘“We are delighted to bring this extraordinary painting into Tate’s collection, where it will be seen by millions of visitors in our galleries and beyond, for generations to come. Our thanks go to the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, to the artist, Amoako Boafo, and to Gallery 1957 for generously making this possible, building on the essential support of our Africa Acquisitions Committee. The Committee’s work underpins Tate’s broader commitment to modern and contemporary artists from Africa and the African diaspora, as seen in El Anatsui’s recent Hyundai Commission: Behind the Red Moon, the exhibition A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography, Meschac Gaba’s newly opened display at Tate Modern, and our major exhibition on Nigerian Modernism coming up this Autumn.”
Amoakos’s portraits capture the essence, style, and individuality of his subjects. He is at the forefront of figurative art, as this piece is the 43 pieces acquired by the artist since 2011 through the African Acquisitions Committee in the Tate Modern. Over 58 works by 42 artists acquired since 2011 through the Africa Acquisitions Committee.
Blank stare 2021 Oil on paper, 1000 x 700 mm
(Gallery 1957, Booth LM1, La Mamounia, 1-54 Marrakech)
Touria El Glaoui, Founding Director of 1-54, also emphasized the significance of this acquisition:
“As we return to Marrakech for the 6th edition of 1-54, following its inauguration in 2018, it is our great honor to announce that the Tate Africa Acquisitions Committee Catalyst Fund has made its first acquisition at 1-54 Marrakech.”
Amoako has been at the forefront of African figuration, having created a body of work such as the “Soul Black Folks” that pays homage to the expressions of black bodies. This extensive body of work established his position as one of the most influenrtial artist of the 21’st century, having showcased a differet side of what was the norm for black bodies. This acquzsiotion ays homage to this extebsive body of work as it showcases a selfie like posture for the subject with an ambiguous title; “Blank Stare.”
He uses the people around him as subjects—friends, acquaintances, family, and many more—as they represent not only an ever-evolving connection to himself but also a connection to his culture at large. Through this, he aims to showcase the real emotions and experiences of his context, a context that has shaped him into the artist he is today.
This milestone underscores the growing global recognition of African art and its vital contributions to contemporary culture. With Boafo’s work now part of Tate’s esteemed collection, Blank Stare will continue to inspire audiences worldwide, cementing his legacy as a leading figure in the art world.
Click here to check out the artwork.
