Gallery 1957, Accra launch the first dedicated art prize for women based in Africa: The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize
|
|
Gallery 1957 is proud to announce the launch of the first ever dedicated art prize for women artists living and working in Africa: The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize. Named after the prominent Ghanaian queen, the prize launches to coincide with the gallery’s 5th anniversary celebrations, and strengthens their commitment to supporting and promoting emerging and established artists across Ghana and the diaspora.
|
|
|
Open to all women and self-identifying women artists based across Ghana and the Ghanaian diaspora, the prize will award GH₵40,000 alongside an artist residency and exhibition at Gallery 1957 in 2021, to one winner. A second and third prize of GH₵20,000 and GH₵15,000 will be offered to runners up. Applications close on 31 May 2021, with a winner announced in August 2021.
|
|
|
The winner is chosen by a jury of international experts including artists, curators, and arts writers. The jurors for the inaugural 2021 prize are:
|
|
|
| |
 |
Artist and founder of the SCCA
|
|
 |
Director Chisenhale Gallery
|
|
|
Marwan Zakhem, Founder of Gallery 1957, commented:
‘Listening and working closely to our local community, we have identified a need to support particularly women artists in Ghana. In creating The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, we hope to offer a way in which to address the lack of existing support for women and women identifying artists in the country, and its diaspora. Beyond the financial support, the goal is to give participating shortlisted artists a platform for their work, and exposure worldwide.’
Prize judge Afua Hirsch, commented:
‘Ghana has a remarkable history of artistic genius, but there is still so much to do to centre Ghanaian creatives and their work so that their contribution is recognised and their future supported. It's a real honour to be part of this project to particularly showcase women artists in Ghana. I'm looking forward to working with Gallery 1957 in its important work of supporting Ghana's richly diverse and collaborative arts scene, and launching this arts prize for women, the first of its kind on the continent.’
|
|
|
Applications :
Entries for the 2021 Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize are now open and close on 31 May 2021.
The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize is open to all women and self-identifying women artists, based in Ghana and the Ghanaian diaspora.
All applicants must send through an artist statement and biography as well as at least three accompanying jpegs in high resolution of recent work produced after January 2020. All applications should be submitted to: applications@gallery1957.com
|
|
|
First Prize
GH₵40,000
Plus Social Media/Digital Marketing; 4 months artists residency (which includes artist studio, art materials, stipend, and accommodations); A solo show at Gallery1957 will follow the residency.
Second Prize
GH₵20,000
Social Media/Digital Marketing
Third Prize
GH₵15,000
Social Media/Digital Marketing
Winners of The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize 2021 will be announced August 2021.
Winners of the 2021 prize will be announced this summer with an exhibition and programme of events including talks and studio visits to be held for all those shortlisted prior to announcement.
Dates and schedule to follow.
|
|
|
Gallery 1957 I & II Galleria Mall Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue Ridge Accra, Ghana Gallery 1957 1 Hyde Park Gate London SW7 5EW Visit our website
|
|
|
|
|
