Foster Sakyiamah: Patterns Of The Everyday

Kutlesa is pleased to present Patterns Of The Everyday, an exhibition of new paintings by the Accra-based painter Foster Sakyiamah, on view at the gallery's location. In this latest body of work, Sakyiamah considers his personal journey to manhood and his identity within a matrilineal society. His mother, sisters, and wife, who have often been depicted on his canvases, remain key figures here, serving as a grounding presence for reflection and celebration.

Characters from his local community form the essence of Sakyiamah’s paintings: vibrant, stylish, often in pairs or trios, yet highly individual, even when sartorially coordinated. A sense of connection, tradition, and camaraderie permeate through his compositions, his subjects epitomizing what Sakyiamah terms “casual opulence.”

Deeply influenced by renowned Malian photographer Malick Sidibe and Ghanaian-British photographer James Barnor, Sakyiamah emphasizes style as a critical aspect of identity and expression rather than mere aesthetic flourish. The swirling, intricate patterns on the canvas form not only the textile-like background, but blend into the bodies of the subjects themselves, revealing an image fully in motion, vibrating with life. The portraits transform their subjects from individuals merely observed and depicted into distinct characters with a commanding presence, inviting and enveloping the viewer into the spirited setting of daily Ghanian life, straight from Sakyiamah’s memories.