How Access ART X Prize is influencing Africa’s visual narrative
THE Access ART X Prize was created by ART X Collective, the producers of ART X Lagos to give early- career artists from Africa and its Diaspora opportunity to develop their art, and also have intention of setting them up for the highest levels of success on the global stage. Solely sponsored by Access Corporation, the prize, formerly only open to emerging Nigerian artists, has since evolved to include an additional award for emerging artists from all of Africa and its Diaspora.
The Nigeria prize winner undertakes a residency at Gasworks, London and the Africa/ Diaspora Prize winner undertakes a residency at Yinka Shonibare’s G. A. S. Foundation in Lagos.
Both artists are granted exhibitions at ART X Lagos supported by grants of $ 10,000 each towards their exhibitions.
Stating the reason for the prize, Group
Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, said it was initiated with the aim not just to recognise talent, but also to empower the next generation of African artists to tell their stories and inspire the world, and to reaffirm their commitment to nurturing creativity and driving the growth of the African art industr y, fostering a brighter , more inclusive future for all.
Th e confidence of the sponsors in the transformative power of art to shape culture, foster diversity and drive meaningful change, has continued to sustain the prize with the eight edition last year , even as they look forward to this year’s edition.
All of the editions have been adjudicated by a jur y of renowned artists and industry stakeholders such as, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yinka Shonibare, Sokari Douglas Camp , Wura- Natasha Ogunji and Oliver Enwonwu, among others.
The winner of the maiden edition of the prize was Patrick Akpojotor , a visual artist working across printmaking, painting and installation art. A recipient of so many a wards, Akpojotor’s work is part of King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s collection.
Finalists in the edition were Ian Audifferen, O’dare Adenuga and Osora Mojekwu.
Ha beeb Andu, a Higher National Diploma certificate holder in painting from Auchi Polytechnic, whose works explore socio- political themes, clinched the 2017 prize.
Bolatito Aderemi- Ibitola, a trans- disciplinar y artist working primarily in time based art, interactive and performance went home with the 2018 prize.
The 2019 prize went to Etinosa Yvonne, a self- taught documentary photographer who leverages on the power of visual story- telling to create awareness, educate and inform people about the causes and issues she is passionate about.
In this edition were five finalists, Ayomitunde Adeleke, Christopher Nelson Obuh, Etinosa Yvonne, Yadichinma Ukoha- Kalu and Peter Ebahi Okotor.
The prize returned after the unprecedented COVID- 19, with Chigozie Obi winning the 2021 prize. Obi’s works are formed from personal experiences and focus on the representation of Black/ African people in their diversity.
Dafe Obaro, a talented filmmaker and photographer was the Nigerian winner while Belinda Kazeem Kaminski, a multifaceted artist, writer and researcher won the diaspora prize in 2022.
The last edition held from November 4 to 6 as a physical event at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, with the theme, ‘ The Dialogue,’ with a showcase online at artxlagos. com and Artsy.
The winners were Julius Agbaje, for Nigeria and Asmaa Jama, Africa/ Diaspora winner.
The jury also recognised Roanna Tella in the Nigerian category and Lawrence Mwangi in the African/ Diaspora category with honorable mentions and both artists were also awarded cash prize along with personalised mentorship.
The ART X Prize continues to set itself apart not just because of the quality of artists that have been part of the art fair since inception but it has become one of the lenses through which Africa is seen, offering an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange and implying that the future is bright for African artists and the continent at large.