Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe (b. 1988, Accra, Ghana; based in Portland, OR) is a contemporary artist whose vibrant figurative portraits explore themes of empowerment, identity, and race. His works are defined by an audacious use of color—intense oranges, Yves Klein blues, and vivid reds—that transforms his subjects into symbols of resilience, and dignity. Each portrait is set against bold, monochromatic backgrounds that amplify the presence of the figure, creating a visual language that speaks to both inner strength and vulnerability.
Raised in Accra, Quaicoe was drawn to art from an early age, inspired by stylized movie posters he encountered at local theaters. This fascination led him to discover a group of artists painting large-scale canvases for the posters, sparking a deep creative interest that would shape his future. He began drawing and painting obsessively, using magazines and any available materials as his initial resources. Quaicoe later studied at the Ghanatta College of Art and Design, focusing on painting, and pursued further exploration of figuration and portraiture during his photography studies.
Quaicoe’s portraits, while rooted in figuration, are marked by a highly personal and emotive approach. He often works from his own photographs, creating formal yet intimate depictions of his subjects. His distinctive style emerged during a residency at La Brea Studio in Los Angeles in 2019, where he began using pure pigment and thick, textured layers of paint. These works laid the foundation for his current aesthetic, characterized by tactile surfaces and bold, expressive colors that capture not only the likeness of his subjects but their essence.
Since 2016, Quaicoe has exhibited internationally, gaining recognition for his exploration of black portraiture and diasporic identity. His solo exhibitions include Black Like Me (2020), his first solo show in the United States, and ONE BUT TWO (Haadzii) (2021), which furthered his exploration of cultural reclamation through portraiture. In 2021, he was selected for a residency at the Rubell Museum in Miami, further cementing his place as a prominent figure in contemporary art.
Quaicoe’s work is a powerful reflection on the complexities of race, identity, and cultural dignity. Through his vibrant, emotive portraits, he invites viewers to engage with the stories and experiences of his subjects, reclaiming space for black identities and narratives in the history of portraiture.