Emerging undercover reports show that Joseph Awuah-Darko has built reputation and an empire in the art world from the sweat and tears of vulnerable Ghanaian artists.

Exclusive findings by Afrikmag’s Gallery of Greed investigative report, discovers that Joseph Awuah Darko has painted lies to exploit some artists through The Noldor Residency, an art foundation that he operates as the Director.

The self-styled Ghanaian artist first came under fire, a few months ago, when one artist, Foster Sakyiamah, sued him for withholding funds from the sale of his works. The Noldor Residency, sold artworks by Foster and was responsible for paying $266,527.03, a figure confirmed in an account statement The Noldor Residency provided to Foster on 8 April 2022. However, the agency, owned by Joseph Awuah-Darko, never remitted the funds.

Speaking to Afrikmag, Foster who describes his relationship with Joseph as patron to predator, said “When we make sales, all the sales, they send me a financial report. With the financial report, it will be stated that all the galleries. or the client that has been buying the works have paid in full. That means if they paid in full, you’ve taken your percentage 40%. And my percentage is supposed to be sent to my account. It was not like that. The money was piling up, but I didn’t realise it because with those small amounts I was given, I was okay.”