Biography

2010–2011

An artist emerges

A pivotal period in Amoako’s artistic development came at Jim Thorpe P.S. 370 in Brooklyn. There, special education art teacher Audrey Lacy recognised his artistic ability and helped him develop his skills as a painter.

In 2010, My Friend Andre was selected through the New York City Department of Education’s P.S. Art program for exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He returned the following year with Daydreamer Boy, giving him two consecutive years at The Met. Recognition continued beyond the museum, including Lincoln Center, where Where the Wild Things Are was displayed, and a Certificate of Achievement from Pure Vision Arts.

Sister Janet Lovell

After Amoako graduated, Sister Janet Lovell became an important supporter of his artistic development. She saw his abilities firsthand when she gave him detailed instructions for a cartoon to create using Microsoft Paint and was amazed by his ability to remember and reproduce every detail.

Lovell joined Amoako’s mother in advocating for opportunities that would allow him to keep developing his talent, with hopes that he could attend an art program and eventually pursue a career in animation.

Dr. Rosa Martinez and Strokes of Genius

Another important influence has been Dr. Rosa Martinez, founder of Strokes of Genius, Inc., who has mentored Amoako and helped provide opportunities for his work to reach wider audiences.

In 2019, Amoako took part in Mainly Mozart – Genius Week in San Diego, where he sang and presented Dr. Temple Grandin with a portrait he had created of her. He also painted live at the Mozart & The Mind symposium that same week.