In a stunning revelation, Ghana-based artist Joseph Awuah-Darko has accused celebrated american painter Kehinde Wiley of sexual assault. The allegations, made via an Instagram post on Sunday, claim that Wiley, known globally for his portraits of Black men and women in the style of Old Masters, assaulted Awuah-Darko during a 2021 dinner held in his honor by Ghana’s Creative Art Council.
“On 9th June 2021 — I was sexually assaulted by @kehindewiley. It almost destroyed me,”
Awuah-Darko wrote. He further elaborated that Wiley had “inappropriately groped” him and later committed a “much more severe and violent” assault, the details of which were not specified. The post also touched on the difficulty Awuah-Darko faced in confronting the alleged assault, given Wiley’s prominence as a gay man and the prevalent anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment in Ghana.
In an exclusive direct message to media, Awuah-Darko expressed his hope that speaking out would empower other victims to come forward. He also revealed that he is actively seeking legal action against Wiley.
Wiley swiftly responded with a statement on his own Instagram, vehemently denying the allegations and describing the relationship as consensual. In a more detailed email , Wiley stated,
“Someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with is now making false, disturbing, and defamatory accusations about our time together. These claims are deeply hurtful to me, and I will pursue all legal options to bring the truth to light and clear my name.”
Wiley also questioned the timing and motivation behind the accusations, noting Awuah-Darko’s continued attempts to stay in his life. “He has been trying to be part of my life ever since we met — flying to Nigeria to attend my birthday party, attempting to visit my home in upstate New York, sending me warm and cordial text messages, and almost a year ago to the day attending my exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and posting to Instagram that the show by his ‘dear friend’ was ‘breathtaking,’” Wiley added.
Awuah-Darko, in a follow-up message to media, maintained that his friendly interactions with Wiley prior to fully recognizing the abuse were not inconsistent with his claims. He emphasized that it is common for victims to know their abusers intimately, stating,
“Reconciling with the painful reality of Kehinde’s assault against me was something that I only accepted in late October 2023, when I confided in one of my best friends, who is a gallerist. My relationship with Kehinde in months and moments prior to my epiphany of the abuse I experienced under his hand would have been friendly and even cordial; whether it was the birthday party he invited me to or discussions about the possibility of meeting. Much like his OTHER VICTIMS.”
It has since evolved into the Institute Museum of Ghana. Awuah-Darko, apart from being an artist, is also a musician, curator, and collector of contemporary African and diaspora art.
Wiley, born in Los Angeles and now based in New York, gained international fame for his portraits of Black individuals in the grand manner of classical European portraiture. His most notable work includes the official portrait of Barack Obama.
This public dispute has brought significant attention to both artists and has ignited discussions on the complexities surrounding sexual assault allegations, especially involving prominent figures in the art world. As Awuah-Darko seeks legal recourse and Wiley prepares to defend his reputation, the art community watches closely, grappling with the broader implications of these serious accusations.
Representatives for Wiley, including Sean Kelly and Roberts Projects, have not responded to requests for comment, while Black Rock Senegal, an organization founded by Wiley, declined to comment.
