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Kwaku Yaro

KWAKU YARO

Coat of Many Colours Pearl Lam Galleries
70 Square Metres 27 May–12 July 2025
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Press Release

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.

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Installation Views

Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
Installation view at Coat of Many Colours: A Solo Exhibition by Kwaku Yaro, 70 Square Metres, Shanghai. Courtesy of artist and 70 Square Metres.
About the Artist

Emmanuel Kwaku Yaro (b. 1995, Labadi, Ghana) is a contemporary artist who resides in Labadi, Accra, Ghana. He has been a practicing artist for over six years and has a number of group exhibitions to his name, working with notable institutions including Alliance Française d’Accra. Yaro has also had a solo exhibition at the African Regent Hotel in Accra, which resulted in growing interest in his works, both locally and internationally. He has also been involved in a number of group exhibitions with Efie Gallery in Dubai and Phillips Auction House in London. He is a member of the Artemartis collective in Accra. Inspired by a range of artists like Georges Seurat, Marie-Guillemine Benoist and Sami Bentil, Yaro’s research and development practices go beyond the limitation of his five senses, and his works are a testament to his passion for detail.

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About the Gallery

Pearl Lam Galleries is a driving force within Asia’s contemporary art scene. Founded in 2005, the gallery plays a vital role in stimulating international dialogue and cross-cultural exchange between the East and West.

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70 Square Metres
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday
10:30am – 7pm
(1)
Shanghai 203, 2/F, 117 Xianggang Road
Pearl Lam Galleries contemporary art gallery in Shanghai China
Pearl Lam Galleries
203, 2/F, 117 Xianggang Road, Shanghai, China
+86 21 6323 1989
http://www.pearllam.com

Opening hours
Monday – Sunday
10:30am – 7pm
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