2023
oil, pastel, acrylic and print on canvas
130 x 170 cm
Estimate: €30,000 – 35,000
Record: €40,000
Amponsah’s practice is deeply rooted in the restoration of the Black Image, addressing unresolved issues of representation in art history. His work honours the women in his life—those who have dedicated themselves to shaping the men in his family into resourceful, principled individuals. Through his imagery, he invites us to celebrate the successes, sacrifices, and challenges of women, embracing both their power and tenderness.
His technique, which he terms collage-painting, merges the principles of collage with the physicality of painting. This approach allows him to layer multiple narratives, piecing together fragments of time, space, and experience. For Amponsah, collage is more than a technique—it reflects the very fabric of Ghanaian society, built on community, collaboration, and shared responsibility. He recalls his father’s words: “A child is only for the parents when in the mother’s womb. Once born, they become a gift for all of us.” This philosophy underpins his creative process, mirroring the energy and interdependence of Ghana’s bustling markets.
For Amponsah, patience is central to his practice. He believes that if art is to change lives, it must be given the time to evolve. “One work is enough to change the world—if it carries the power to enforce real change.”
The work was created in 2023 during his residency at Gallery 1957 in Accra.
Larry Amponsah (b. 1989) is a Ghanaian artist currently living and working in London.
Through his practice, Amponsah challenges traditional approaches to image-making.
He transforms, prints, and cuts archival photographs to create collages, which he further develops using mechanical processes and painterly techniques. The result is a series of dynamic compositions, narratives and portraits which reflect his immediate environment and cultural heritage, while resonating on a universal level. His works are part of private and public collections, including The Wellcome Collection in London. He collaborates with Gallery 1957.
