Mayah Boateng is a Toronto-based painter whose work centers Black femininity through vibrant, figurative portraits in oil and acrylic. Her practice is rooted in the belief that Black women are often misrepresented, marginalized, or entirely absent within dominant visual cultures. Through her art, she reclaims that narrative—positioning Black women as subjects of celebration, power, and truth.

Mayah’s work engages deeply with themes of identity, community, freedom, and beauty—but specifically interrogates how societal narratives, imposed from childhood, shape the self-image and self-esteem of Black girls and women. By challenging limiting ideals of beauty and acceptability, her portraits push back against the stereotypes that have long distorted perceptions of Black womanhood. Her bold use of color and composition works in service of visibility: to honor the emotional depth, resilience, and joy of Black women in all their complexity.

She holds an HBA in Visual Studies from the University of Toronto and is currently developing her debut solo exhibition, set to open in 2026.