In a shocking turn of events, celebrated Ghanaian artist Joseph Awuah-Darko has accused renowned Nigerian-American artist Kehinde Wiley of sexual assault. The allegations were made in a detailed Instagram post by Awuah-Darko on May 19, 2024, recounting incidents that allegedly took place on June 9, 2021, during a dinner organized by the Ghana Creative Art Council at the Noldor Artist Residency, an institution founded by Awuah-Darko in 2020.
In his post, Awuah-Darko, also known by his artist name Okuntakinte, described the events of that evening, alleging that Wiley assaulted him twice. The first incident occurred while Awuah-Darko was escorting Wiley and another guest to the bathroom.
“On June 9, 2021, I was sexually assaulted twice by Kehinde Wiley. During a dinner held in his honor at the Noldor Artist Residency, Wiley groped my buttocks while I was escorting him and another guest to the bathroom,” Awuah-Darko wrote. He detailed how Wiley grabbed his buttocks, saying, “What is this thing?” This unsolicited act left Awuah-Darko stunned and concerned, especially as it happened in a professional setting and by an artist of Wiley’s stature.
Awuah-Darko’s account continued, stating that he tried to manage the situation with awkward humor, but the evening continued under the shadow of this unwelcome advance. He also mentioned a second assault later that night, though he has not provided further details on this incident.
Kehinde Wiley responded to these allegations with a firm denial. In his own Instagram post, Wiley acknowledged knowing Awuah-Darko but insisted that their interactions were brief and consensual.
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“Someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with almost three years ago is now making a false accusation about our time together. These claims are not true and are an affront to all victims of sexual abuse,” Wiley wrote. He expressed confusion over why Awuah-Darko would target him and emphasized the presence of evidence disproving the claims. Wiley asked for privacy as he works to clear his name.
The accusations against Wiley have sent shockwaves through the art community. Known for his vibrant, large-scale portraits of Black individuals in the style of Old Master paintings, Wiley’s work celebrates Black identity and disrupts traditional narratives. His notable works include “Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps” (2005) and the 2018 portrait of President Barack Obama, commissioned by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
The serious nature of Awuah-Darko’s allegations has sparked widespread discussion and calls for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. As both artists navigate this tumultuous period, the art world watches closely, grappling with the implications of these claims on the legacies of those involved.
