An exhibition of paintings by Betty Acquah, which are noted for pointillism and vibrancy where colour, texture and emotion intertwine to honour the often-unseen lives of men and women, is closing at the Berj Gallery in Accra.
Indeed, her florid canvases brim with stories of trials endured, ambitions nurtured, celebrations shared and successes hard-won. Through her art, Acquah elevates ordinary people into figures of quiet heroism, rendering their daily struggles and victories with compassion and grace.
Curated by Sally Polley, each painting is a testament to her unwavering commitment to telling women’s stories alongside men with dignity and depth. Her brush is lush, often jubilant and capable of tender restraint while capturing the resilience and vulnerability of her subjects.
Whether depicting market women, mothers, porters, musicians, dancers, students, workers or trees, she imbues every figure with presence and pride, positioning them not as background characters in society but as central protagonists.
Acquah’s artistic style is unmistakable – layered with energetic brushstrokes, rhythmic patterns and a brush oscillating between warmth and intensity. Her compositions are often packed yet carefully balanced, mirroring the complex, multifaceted lives of the subjects she portrays.
