John Akomfrah – Our Skin Is a Monument I

Edition of 250  Giclée print on Mohawk Superfine White Eggshell paper

Our Skin Is a Monument I is a limited-edition print by acclaimed artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah, created for Frieze in collaboration with Lisson Gallery. The work combines photographic imagery with a bold, modernist grid of color fields, framing an intimate cinematic moment within a carefully structured composition. The surrounding blocks of color emphasize the emotional temperature of the central image, suggesting memory, history, and the complex aesthetics of representation.

Akomfrah’s practice often investigates identity, diaspora, and the politics of visibility. In this piece, he juxtaposes portraiture with abstraction, offering a poetic reflection on how images shape cultural memory. The title, Our Skin Is a Monument, underscores themes of presence, resilience, and the significance of the body within historical narratives.

This print was originally released on October 9, 2020, and first appeared as the cover of Frieze Magazine, Issue 214. Proceeds from the edition supported the Frieze × Deutsche Bank Emerging Curators Fellowship, an initiative dedicated to expanding access and opportunities for emerging curators from underrepresented backgrounds.

A striking and meaningful work, this edition captures the depth and visual sophistication that define Akomfrah’s influential artistic voice.