Delali Cofie is a Ghanaian-Nigerian photographer currently living in Toronto, Canada. Through storytelling he engages in multiple genres of photography such as fine art, documentary, and fashion. His personal work presents subtle beauty whilst exploring themes of self-formation and the process of becoming. Frequently creating work between his native city Accra and current city Toronto, his work tells a tale of two cities, linked by a diasporic thread.
Recent exhibitions include It comes to me in waves at Patel Brown, Toronto (2024), Shedding Heaviness at Gallery 44, Toronto (2024) and Family First at the Black Art Centre, Surrey (2024). In 2022 his work was featured in legendary Ghanaian photographer James Barnor’s exhibition catalogue at the Arles Photography Festival. He is a recent graduate of OCAD University, where he was the recipient of multiple program awards including the Barbara Astman and Peter Sramek photography awards, and the OCAD U Medal.
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Education
2024 BFA Photography (Hons), OCAD University, Toronto, ON, Canada
2020 Creative Connect Mentorship Program, Nia Centre for the Arts,
Toronto, ON, Canada
Exhibitions
Solo
2025 Design TO Solo Exhibition. (Upcoming Jan) Yonge-Dundas Square Digital Screens, Design TO Festival, Toronto, ON
2023 Delali Cofie Solo Exhibition. The Drake Hotel, Toronto, ON
2022 A Place of Ours. The Black Canary Espresso Bar, Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, Toronto, ON
2021 TABOO. (Instillation)Vitrines, Gallery 44, Toronto, ON
Group
2025 PhotoVogue Photography Festival. (Upcoming Mar), Milan, ITA
REVIVE. (Upcoming Jan) Harbourfront Centre, Design TO Festival, Toronto, ON
Afrotopos. (Upcoming Jan) Stewart Hall Gallery, Pointe-Claire, QC
2024 Art with Heart Casey House. Silent Auction, The Carlu, Toronto, ON
It comes to me in waves. Patel Brown Gallery, Toronto, ON
Black Dreams & Aspirations. Union Station, Toronto, ON
GradEx. Medal Winner Exhibition, OCAD University, Toronto, ON
Untapped. Emerging Artist Exhibition, Artist Projects Art Fair, Toronto, ON
Shedding Heaviness. Gallery 44, Toronto, ON
Family First. Black Arts Centre, Capture Photography Festival, Surrey, BC
Salon 44. Open Edition Artist, Gallery 44, Toronto, ON
2023 Sankofa. Local Global Studio, It’sOK, Toronto, ON
Return. Stairway Gallery, The Gladstone House, Scotiabank CONTACT PhotographyFestival, Toronto, ON
Sacred Spaces. OCAD University F/6 Collective, Ada Slaight Gallery, Toronto, ON
2022 We Live As We Die. Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON
Days Seen By The Sun. New Currency - Collision Gallery, Toronto, ON
Come as You Are. Almeda OCAD Black Student Collective, Ada Slaight Gallery, Toronto, ON
2020 TrapxArt. The Boat, Toronto, ON
Black =. OCAD University Online Exhibition
2019 SLOL*Mind. Ghana International Trade Fair Centre, Accra, Ghana
Artivism. York University, Toronto, ON
Black Renaissance. UofT Black Students Association, Toronto, ON
Features & Publications
smArt Magazine Issue 11.
James Barnor Stories. Paris: Maison CF. 2022. (P277-285) Shaping New Stories. Luma ArlesExhibition Catalogue
“Photographer Spotlight: Delali Cofie”. Booooooom, Online publication, Jul 25, 2022
“INNAH DI DANCE”. Bully Magazine, Online Publication, Jul 31,2022
“July in a Photo”. I-D Magazine, Online Publication, Aug 2, 2021
PITCH Mag Issue III. Hamilton: Pitch Magazine.2021. Back cover and 8-page spread
Artist Talks
2025 The Art of Recycling. Photovogue Photography Festival (Upcoming Mar), Milan, ITA (Panel Discussion)
2024 Black Dreams & Aspirations. Union Station, Toronto, ON (Artist Talk and Q + A)
It comes to me in waves. Patel Brown Gallery, Toronto, ON (Artist Talk and Q + A)
2023 Mixing Medias and Exploring Self. Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto, ON (Artist Talk)
2022 We Live As We Die. Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON (Panel Discussion and Q + A)
Professional Practice Seminar. OCAD University, Toronto, ON (Artist Talk)
Nia Centre for the Arts OUTREACH Program. Gallery 44, Toronto, ON (Artist Talk and Q + A)
2021 TABOO. (Instillation)Vitrines, Gallery 44, Toronto, ON (Interview)
2020 Art & Negus. Nia Centre for the Arts, Toronto, ON (Panel Discussion and Q + A)
Grants/ Awards/ Residencies
2025 CreateSpace Public Art Forum, STEPS Public Art (Upcoming Jan)
2024 Art Gallery of Ontario Artist Researcher in Residence, Toronto, ON
Photography Medal Winner, OCAD University, Toronto, ON.
Nora E. Vaughan Award, OCAD University, Toronto, ON.
Barbara Astman Photography Award, OCAD University, Toronto, ON.
Peter Sramek Photography Award, OCAD University, Toronto, ON.
Collections
Royal Bank of Canada
The Wedge Collection