The Black community and the art world have lost an exceptional talent with the passing of Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah, affectionately known as ‘Brother,’ on the 6th of February 2025 in Ghana, at the age of 68. A Ghanaian-born artist whose work resonated globally, Owusu-Ankomah was a visionary whose artistic journey reflected a deep respect for both African heritage and the universal power of love.
Born in Sekondi, Ghana, Brother grew up in a large, close-knit family, with his mother’s care for underprivileged children shaping his perspective on the transformative power of unconditional love—a theme that remained central throughout his life and work. In his youth, Brother found solace in nature, spending time climbing trees and swimming in the sea, experiences that would influence the meditative and dynamic quality of his art.
Owusu-Ankomah’s formal artistic journey began at Ghanatta College of Art in Accra, where he studied from 1971 to 1974. His subsequent travels to Europe, between 1979 and 1985, further shaped his artistic practice, ultimately leading him to Bremen, Germany, where he lived and worked for over three decades. His work was marked by an extraordinary synthesis of African traditions and Western modernism, most notably through his use of adinkra symbols from the Akan-speaking people of Ghana, which he integrated into his paintings alongside powerful human figures.
His distinctive style evolved over time, incorporating symbols and motifs that conveyed hidden knowledge and stories. These symbols, layered in meaning, were central to his compositions, where the figures in his works floated and drifted through symbolic realms. Describing himself as “an artist who paints for humankind and just happens to come from Africa,” Owusu-Ankomah’s art bridged cultural and geographical divides.
Owusu-Ankomah exhibited his work across Europe, the USA, Africa, and Japan, including prestigious exhibitions such as Absolute Ghana and Africa Remix, which captured the global resurgence of African art in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He also collaborated with designer Giorgio Armani to create a line of clothing for the Red Campaign, supporting the fight against AIDS in Africa.
A humble man, Owusu-Ankomah preferred his work to speak for itself. His art, along with his final words—“Love one another”—remains a testament to his enduring belief in the power of love, community, and humanity.
His legacy will continue to inspire.