Fourth edition of art prize opens to women artists in Ghana and diaspora

An art prize dedicated to women artists living and working in Ghana and its diaspora has been launched by a leading gallery in Accra.

Prize announcement at the third edition of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize 2023. (L - R) Katherine Finerty, Juror and Project Curator at Tate Gallery; Marwan Zakhem Founder Director of Gallery 1957; Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah, 1st prize winner of the third edition of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize; Erin Christovale, Juror, Film Programmer and Curator at the Hammer Museum.

Gallery 1957 in Accra has launched its fourth edition of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize.

The art prize is named after prominent Queen Mother of Ejisu Yaa Asantewaa who famously in 1900, led the War of the Golden Stool (Asantewaa War of Indepenence) against the British

Last year, Gallery 1957 presented 2023 winner Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah with the Yaa Asantewaa Prize.

Lois creates hand drawings of intricate monochrome patterns on various surfaces such as paper and canvas.

Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah

Her practicing medium has evolved into cutting out these patterns from black synthetic leather, creating immersive sculptural installations that expose an interplay between routine tasks and emerging ritualised performance.

The first runner up was filmmaker Nuotama Frances Bodomo and the second runner up was multidisciplinary artist Akosua Viktoria Adu-Sanyah.

The winners of this year’s prize will be selected by a jury of international experts.

This year they are:

• Koyo Kouoh, executive drector and chief curator of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and founding artistic director of RAW Material Company;

• Marie-Cécile Zinsou, art historian, curator, author and founder of Fondation Zinsou;

• Ekow Eshun, writer and curator;

• Godfried Donkor, multidisciplinary artist;

• Touria El Glaoui, founding director of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair;

• Margaux Huille, Director of Fondation H;

The first prize winner will receive an artist residency and exhibition at Gallery 1957, as well as GH₵50,000. First runner up will be awarded GH₵30,000 and second runner-up will receive GH₵20,000.

Submissions should be sent via email to applications@gallery1957.com and applicants may contact Tatyana at tatyana@gallery1957.com with any queries.

The deadline for applications is 16 September 2024 with the winners announced in October.

Read more articles about Gallery 1957's exhibitions below.

Gallery 1957 marks 8th anniversary with two-city multimedia art exhibition

Ekow Eshun curates group exhibit at Gallery 1957 

Artists return to Ghana to showcase their art and build opportunities for the next generation

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