Kofi Tyus

For over 50 years, Kofi Tyus has portrayed beautiful, vibrant, and positive images of the Black community. Since graduating from Howard University in 1968, he has produced over 1,000 pieces of original artwork for numerous books, calendars, magazine illustrations, newspaper editorials, posters, and greeting cards. He has also created tile mosaics, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings, and etchings inspired by several trips to Africa.

Commissions include: In the Shadow of Mount Kenya (1972) for the Government of the Republic of Kenya, currently on display in the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC; a portrait of Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu, the Omanhene and Okomfohene of the Akans in America (1982); and a portrait of Nana Sarpong, The Agogohene of Asante (1983), which is currently on display in his palace in Agogo, Ghana. In 1984, Tyus commemorated the visit of Nana Opuku Ware II with a portrait that is now on display in his palace in Kumasi, Ghana.