Jeffrey Otoo (b. 1994, Accra, Ghana) lives and works in Accra, Ghana. He explores themes of power, technology, hierarchy, religion, life and death and the human existence as whole. In the paintings and installations, he makes, he employs the use of cryptic symbols and animal iconography developed from imitated medallions and chains sold by merchants to create a narrative of mystery and danger which is prevalent in today’s world. His work in totality takes from excerpts of his day-to-day life and what he experiences, which he translates into his work as paintings of fantasy and imagination. In his work, he brings elements from other spaces which ideally wouldn’t work together in reality, into a composed piece which tells a different story and provokes thought to an audience.
He is an active member of the Asafo Black Collective and the Blaxtarlines Collective. Otoo’s work has garnered attention from various media outlets, with features in The New York Times (2020) and Something We Africans Got (2020). Otoo’s work has been included in several exhibitions, such as APALAZZOGALLERY, Brescia, Italy (2025); Documenta 15, Kassel, Germany (2022); Great Hall, Kumasi, Ghana (2021); Stellenbosch Triennale, South Arica (2020); ARX Africa Kunst Museum, Germany (2019) and Baitball, Polignano a Mare Italy (2019). In recognition of his artistic talent, Otoo was shortlisted for the Kuenyehia Art Prize in 2023.
