Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Falmouth College of Arts, and the Royal Academy Schools. She gained significant critical attention for her distinctive approach to portraiture, which eschews traditional sitters in favor of characters constructed from her own imagination and memory.

Her practice is defined by a fluid, gestural application of oil paint, often utilizing a restricted, somber palette. The subjects of her paintings are typically depicted in ambiguous settings, emphasizing the psychological depth and narrative potential of the figures rather than specific biographical details.

Yiadom-Boakye has received widespread institutional recognition, including a major retrospective that toured several international venues. She is recognized for her dual practice as both a painter and a writer, often incorporating poetic titles that complement the enigmatic nature of her visual work.