Series: Hero, Father, Friend.
Archival pigment print mounted on aluminium Dibond.
61 x 76.2 cm / 24 x 30 in
Hand-signed by the artist, with title, date, and edition number inscribed in ink on an archival label affixed to the reverse side of the mounted photograph
© The Artist
Carlos Idun-Tawiah’s “Boys Will Always Be Boys” is a vibrant ode to the joy, intimacy, and complexity of boyhood friendships in Accra.
Through carefully staged yet deeply authentic scenes—like this evocative moment in a local barbershop—Idun-Tawiah reimagines his own childhood and the communal spirit that shaped it.
The series draws inspiration from family photo albums and the rich tradition of African portraiture, blending nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary gaze.
With each image, Idun-Tawiah challenges traditional narratives of masculinity, celebrating the tenderness, playfulness, and unspoken bonds that connect boys and men. Whether it’s a game on a dusty pitch, a quiet haircut, or a fleeting glance between friends, the series elevates the beauty of the everyday and the power of belonging.
Boys Will Always Be Boys is more than a collection of photographs—it’s a heartfelt requiem for lost friendships and a celebration of the simple moments that build community.
Idun-Tawiah invites us to see each other as family, to cherish the mundane, and to remember that life’s greatest joys are often found in the company of others.