Larry Otoo – Biography 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 2017 – Music & Markets – Out of Africa gallery, Sitges - Spain 2015-2016 Gallery My Trunk – Denmark 2015 AfroJazz – Out of Africa gallery, Sitges – Spain 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 2017 Sight & Style – Larry Otoo & Haila Sabah (Designer’s wardrobe) 2013 Mar & Música – Larry Otoo & Kobina Nyarko – Out of Africa gallery, Sitges - Spain 2010 Pulse the Pulse: Portrait of Accra - ACC Gallery, Weimar Ç 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 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