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The lawsuit, lodged in an Accra court on June 24, alleges that Awuah-Darko failed to compensate Sakyiamah as agreed.
Sakyiamah stated that Awuah-Darko discovered his work on Instagram in the summer of 2021 and offered to represent him through his company, JAD Advisory Limited. An agreement was signed in 2021, appointing Awuah-Darko as Sakyiamah’s agent for 36 months, tasked with promoting, exhibiting, and selling his artwork.
As part of the deal, Sakyiamah joined the Noldor Artist Residency in Accra, launched by Awuah-Darko in November 2020. He was paid an initial $3,000 and provided with studio space to create 21 works for the residency. However, Sakyiamah claims he was subsequently required to produce additional works without appropriate compensation.
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At the end of the 36-month term in March 2023, Awuah-Darko sent Sakyiamah an artist statement indicating that $338,886.98 had been paid to him through 17 cash deposits and bank transfers. The statement also noted a "net revenue share payable" of $266,527.03. Sakyiamah claims he stopped providing artwork upon realising Awuah-Darko was withholding over $200,000.
The agreement stipulated that JAD Advisory Limited would take 40% of the profits from each sale, after deducting "costs and expenses" from Sakyiamah's 60% share. Awuah-Darko has not commented on the lawsuit, but his lawyer, Frank Owusu, stated that Awuah-Darko plans to file a counterclaim. Owusu argued that Sakyiamah had already benefited substantially from the Noldor Residency's support, with payments totalling $338,886.98.
Joachim Baazeng, Sakyiamah’s lawyer, revealed that an external contact encouraged Sakyiamah to seek legal representation. Baazeng agreed to represent Sakyiamah pro bono and receive payment upon the settlement of the case. Sakyiamah also discovered that his works are being sold on Artsy by various dealers for £30,000 to £40,000 without his knowledge.
This lawsuit adds to existing controversies surrounding the Noldor Residency, which has faced criticism for requiring residents to leave behind numerous works. Former resident Emma Prempeh and others have expressed dissatisfaction with the residency’s practices.
See the details below.
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Foster Sakyiamah, an Accra-based artist and prominent curator Joseph Awuah-Darko aka Okuntakinte
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Foster Sakyiamah, an Accra-based artist and prominent curator Joseph Awuah-Darko aka Okuntakinte
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Foster Sakyiamah, an Accra-based artist and prominent curator Joseph Awuah-Darko aka Okuntakinte