Queenie

A woman stands with her arms folded, meeting your gaze with calm assurance against a rich golden backdrop. This painting, titled "Queenie," comes from Amoako Boafo, a Ghanaian artist whose work has caught the attention of collectors and museums across the globe. His most striking trick is right in front of you: rather than reaching for a brush to paint skin, Boafo uses his own fingers, swirling the dark paint into curling, textured patterns. Trace those loops across her face, neck, and hands and you will spot the marks of his fingertips at work.

Portraits of Black figures make up nearly all of Boafo's art, and each one is a tribute to beauty, character, and self worth. Her patterned dress and bold lips bring pops of color, though the flat gold background pulls your eyes straight back to her. Something about the way she holds herself feels sure and unbothered, like a person who has nothing to prove. Boafo often talks about painting Black subjects the way he wants to see them, and pieces like this have carried his name into leading galleries worldwide.