An artistic vision articulated through color

HUEISM is a panoramic journey through the chromatic universe of photographer Derrick Ofosu Boateng. Structured like a semantic color index, the book moves through the vivid palette that defines his photographic language, pairing artworks with the African proverbs and poems that inspired them. The publication reveals the cultural and symbolic layers behind his imagery, offering rare insight into the thinking that shapes his practice.

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As an African photographer, Boateng uses color to challenge the narrow visual narratives through which the continent is often portrayed. Where the Western gaze frequently centres struggle and scarcity, his work celebrates joy, beauty, and everyday life in all its vivid saturation.

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Boateng’s entire photographic process unfolds through a single device. He shoots and edits exclusively on his iPhone, using the same tool from capture to final image. The scenes he constructs are staged with people from his own community, forming tableaux that translate poems, sayings, and everyday observations into carefully composed photographs.

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For this project, I interviewed the artist and collaborated on the preface that sets the conceptual tone for the book. I also wrote the publication’s boilerplate, helping frame Boateng’s work for readers and institutions. Since its release, HUEISM has been incorporated into Ghana’s formal education curriculum, allowing the book to serve as a resource for students engaging with contemporary African photography and creative expression.