Ghanaian artist makes first solo exhibition in Dubai

Contemporary artist Kojo Marfo is inviting art enthusiasts to reflect on the meaning of home in their own lives as he makes his first solo art showcase in the United Arab Emirates.

Artist Kojo Marfo

The Afro-Surrealist artist will be exhibiting his work entitled: ‘HOME: Heart Of My Existence’ at the JD Malat Gallery Dubai from 16 April - 31 May 2025.

HOME: Heart of My Existence consists of 13 largescale compositions that reimagine home not as a fixed location, but as something carried within, a space shaped by memory, emotion, and personal understanding.

Wisdom and Grace, Acrylic on canvas, 2020

“Home is the heart of my existence,” said Kojo. “It reflects the things I've been through, my experiences, and my emotions. It is not necessarily the four-cornered building we live in; it is what goes on in our hearts and minds.”

Kojo describes his artistic style as AfroGenesis, a concept he created in response to the traditions, influences, and personal visions that shape his work. He combines influences from Akan cultural traditions, sculptures and carvings with Cubist techniques.

Shadow of Moonlight, Acrylic on canvas, 2025

“AfroGenesis is about creating something new from what has come before. It’s a way of taking ideas from different places and making them my own,” he said.

This exhibition showcases Kojo’s use of colour, employing vibrant palettes that serve as an initial entry point into a deeper exploration of his internal landscape.

His layered compositions reveal complex narratives about the human condition, offering reflections on community, personal history, and forces that shape our sense of place, JD Malat said.

“I make my work bright and colourful so that people will look at it. But I don’t just want them to look, I want them to come closer and see the story behind it,” Kojo said.

Kojo’s journey began in Ghana, where he was deeply influenced by Akan artefacts, sculptures, and carvings. His passion for art led him to New York in the 1990s, where he immersed himself in the city’s dynamic graffiti scene and rich African art collections.

Now based in London, Marfo has exhibited internationally, with notable shows in Paris, Tokyo, New York, Barcelona, Amsterdam and London. His previous exhibitions at JD Malat Gallery London, included ‘Crucible of Hope’ in 2023.

Learn more about Kojo and his work from our interview with the artist who is featured in our ‘Identity Series – what it means to be Ghanaian’.

And if you plan to join the exhibition, please find more details below:

Dates: 16th April - 31st May 2025

Location: JD MALAT GALLERY DUBAI ACT 2 TOWER Ground floor Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Blvd 13A Downtown, Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Public Hours: Monday - Sunday | 10:00AM - 10:00PM

Opening Reception: 15th April 2025 | RSVP ONLY 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM