LARRY OTOO
LARRY OTOO
Bio
One of the most renowned painters in Ghana today, Larry Otoo likes to refer to himself as a "contemporary traditionalist." Born in Accra, Ghana in 1956, his subject matter is inspired by the everyday activities of ordinary Ghanaians. His vibrant, abstract paintings in oil and acrylic capture the rhythm and beat of daily life. He paints, he says, "to record and preserve our traditions visually."
Otoo holds a Master's Degree in African Art and Comparative Literature from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has been making art since he was a child, when he used to be scolded for drawing in charcoal on the walls. Otoo has held exhibitions Africa, Europe, and the USA. His paintings decorate Ghana's presidential suite and Ghana's chancery in Washington, D.C. His recent activities include a residency in Segovia, Spain in 2011 with a joint presentation at the Nubuke Foundation in Accra, Ghana.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2011 Happy in Segovia, Residency - Galeria Afrika, Segovia
2009 Meet the Artist Exhibition - Alliance Francaise, Accra
2008 End-of-Residency Show, Vermont Studio Centre, Johnson, VT
2006 Larry Otoo - Headlines Hospitality, Accra
2005 Watershed - Pictorialist Studio, Accra
2004 Contemporary Encounters - Kuaba Gallery, Indianapolis
2002 Isn't It Romantic: Flowers - Leasafric, Accra
2000 Colours of Life - Mmofra Foundation, Accra
1997 Retrospective - National Theatre, Accra
1993 Larry Otoo - Beaux Arts Gallery, Trinity House, Accra
1992 Collector's Items - Goethe Institut, Accra
1988 Otoo '88 - British Council, Accra
1987 Holland Calling - University of Ghana, Legon / with KLM airlines
1987 Fontomfrom - Goethe Institut, Accra
1987 Impressionism Africa - Arts Circle Gallery, Munich
1983 Culture Recalled - The Loom, Accra
1981 Courage in Heritage – USIS American Center
Selected Group Exhibitions
2010 Pulse the Pulse: Portrait of Accra - ACC Gallery, Weimar
2010 Jamestown Mantse Exhibition - Goethe Institut, Accra
2009 Nsoroma: Legacy of Joe Nkrumah - Dei Centre, Accra
2006 Four Ghanaian Artists - Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)
2002 Ghana - S.B.K. Kunsthal, Amsterdam
2002 Body Electric (Valentine Show) - National Theatre, Accra
2001 Just Women - Artists Alliance, Accra
2001 Akwaaba - Basilica del Santo, Padova
2001 African Strides - Mmili Nma Center (opening), Lagos
2000 Save our Soul 51st Anniversary - Novotel, Accra
2000 A Slice of Contemporary African Art - Gallery B: Fors, Stockholm and Frederiksberg City Hall, Copenhagen
1999 4-Man Show - Leasafric, Accra
1999 30th Anniversary - The Loom Gallery, Accra
1998 International Contemporary Art Fair - Arte Fiera, Bologna
1997 Cross Currents: Journeys Within the Diaspora - Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis
1996 Wiz, Larry, Kofi - Loft des Artistes Gallery, Abidjan
1996 Art in Corporate Environment - National Theatre, Accra
1996 Rise With the Sun Women and African - York Quay Centre Gallery, Toronto
1994 Sixteen: Exhibition of Paintings and Prints - Savannah Gallery of Modern African Art, London
1993 Larry Otoo and Kofi Setordji - Bosman's House, Accra
1992 Paradox of the New - Laing Art Gallery, New Castle Upon-Tyne
1993 A Grain of Wheat - Commonwealth Institute, London / with the Addax & Oryx Group, Ltd.
1990 Volunteer Service Overseas: Auction for the World - The Mall Galleries, London
1990 Portobelle Festival - London
1989 Africa Meets Africa - Pan-African Writers Association, Artists Alliance, Accra
1987 "Ghana" at IFA Gallerie - Bonn
1984 28th Ghana Independence Anniversary Art Exhibition - Westbourne Gallery, London
1984 Selected Ghanaian Artists - The Modern African Art Gallery, Accra
1984 27th Ghana Independence Anniversary Art Exhibition - Ghanaian Embassy in London
1981 BBC Silver Jubilee Art Exhibition - London
Special Commissions and Works in Important Public Collections
Artists Alliance - Accra
Cal Merchant Bank - Accra
Dei Centre - Accra
Ghana's Washington Chancery - Washington, D.C.
Johnson Wax, Head Office - Accra
Mövenpick Hotel - Accra
Noguchi Memorial Institut - Tokyo
Presidential Suite, Kwame Nkrumah Conference Centre - Accra
UNICEF House - Accra
World Bank Office - Accra
C/V
(c) 2011 Larry Otoo. All rights reserved.