Daniel Gyekyi Gyan

b. 1992, Ghana

Daniel Gyekyi Gyan was born in 1992 in Accra, Ghana, Gyan grew up surrounded by the rich colors and textures of his homeland. From an early age, he showed a keen interest in art, and he pursued his passion by enrolling in Accra's Ghanatta College of Art and Design, where he graduated with distinction in 2008.

After completing his studies, Gyan began painting in earnest, experimenting with various styles and techniques until he developed a unique approach that combines fauvist techniques with an impasto technique. His paintings feature bold, gestural brushstrokes that emphasize texture, depth, and color, and he often uses acrylic paint and modeling paste to create a sense of movement and energy in his work. His portraits are particularly noteworthy for their warmth, honesty, and intensity, capturing his subjects with a sense of poise and stillness that is both striking and captivating.

Gyan's work is inspired by a range of sources, including his immediate environment, urban culture, and fashion. He strives to bring all of these influences into his work, creating pieces that are both deeply personal and reflective of the world around him. He often centers the black feminine form in his paintings, using brilliant colors to create a sense of space and compositional balance that draws the eye in. In doing so, he seeks to celebrate black beauty and identity, challenging prevailing societal norms that have long sought to marginalize and denigrate people of color.