Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro

SHANGHAI—70 Square Metres is thrilled to present Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro. The third artist in our residency programme hails from Ghana and is a self-taught mixed-media artist. He possesses an extraordinary alchemist’s touch, transforming the mundane into the magnificent. During his three-month residency in Shanghai, Yaro bestowed new life into discarded materials: repurposing takeaway bags from Chinese restaurants, iconic ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags, and humble burlap into striking artistic statements. These elements find new form layered upon African nylon mats and Chinese rattan summer mats, weaving cultural narratives of Ghanaian heritage from his homeland with subtle Chinese motifs, including delicate bamboo references. The resulting body of work radiates a vibrant energy, commanding attention while inviting contemplation.

At the heart of Yaro’s work are the intimate portraits of his inner circle. His deep connection with each subject helps him bring them to life in his creations. These figures are seen adorned in spectacular and elaborate costumes crafted from the aforementioned reclaimed materials. This radical transformation challenges fundamental assumptions about conventional value and artistic mediums. Yaro pushes boundaries with his choice of canvas—often repurposed sleep and prayer mats, which are deeply personal objects reimagined as the foundation of his art. His technique, which nods to the pointillism of Sami Bentil, creates a distinctive visual language that invites viewers to reconsider the boundaries of tradition and innovation.

Taking its title from Dolly Parton’s celebrated song, the exhibition Coat of Many Colours invites viewers to witness the extraordinary metamorphosis of the ordinary, as Kwaku Yaro guides us through a compelling narrative of cultural exchange and sustainable artistry.