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ACCESS ART X PRIZE 2023


The Access ART X Prize, a prestigious platform for recognising and nurturing emerging artistic talent from Africa and its diaspora, has announced the distinguished winners of its 2023 edition. After careful deliberation, Julius Agbaje from Nigeria and Asmaa Jama representing the Africa/Diaspora category were selected as the standout talents from an exceptional pool of finalists.

Their selection is a testament to their artistic prowess, unique vision, and potential for global impact.

The Nigerian Winner Will Receive:

- Residency at Gasworks, London
- Exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024
- Support in the form of a $10,000 grant
- An invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange


The African/Diasporan Winner Will Receive:

- Residency at Yinka Shonibare’s GAS Foundation, Lagos
- Exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024
- Support in the form of a $10,000 grant
- An invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange



JULIUS AGBAJE

THE 2023 NIGERIA WINNER


Julius Agbaje, a Nigerian Artist (b. 1992) born in Agege, Lagos to a Pastor and a teacher, initially pursued Computer Science at the Polytechnic but transitioned to art. After graduating from Yaba College of Technology with a Higher National Diploma in Painting in 2017, he furthered his artistry through an art residency and internship.

Julius’s artworks are a reflection of his life's journey, exploring themes like racial discrimination, politics and spirituality. Employing satires, metaphors, and symbolism, he engages audiences in pertinent socio-political and spiritual issues. His art, threaded with personal experiences, leads him back to Go and a discovery of his life's purpose.

Using diverse mediums like watercolours, oil, acrylic, and charcoal, and techniques such as stencilling typography, and screen-printing, he constantly evolves, now venturing into sculptures with clay, wood, metal, and fibreglass.

His exhibitions with renowned galleries and organizations globally, including The Koppel Project Hiv (London, 2021) and Artemizia Foundation (USA, 2020), highlight his impact on the art world. Featured in local and international news media, his art sparks crucial political conversations in Nigeria, where he resides.

A Lagos resident, Julius draws inspiration from the city's vibrant lifestyle, reflected in his colourful renditions. His involvement in NGOs like the Arts in Medicine Fellowship showcases his commitment to using art for societal betterment. He currently resides and works in Berger, Lagos, immersing himself in both art and community engagement.




ASMAA JAMA

THE 2023 AFRICA/DIASPORA WINNER


The 2023 Access ART X Prize Africa/Diaspora Winner - Asmaa Jama (Somali/Denmark) Asmaa Jama, a self-taught Somali multidisciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker in Bristol, explores themes of myth, movement, and migration. Their film works, including "Before We Disappear" (2021 commissioned by BBC Arts and "Except this Time Nothing Returns from the Ashes" (2022) at Spike Island, showcase their interactive storytelling.

Jama's art has reached international platforms like the Venice Architecture Biennale and film festivals such as Blackstar and Sharjah Film Platform. Their writing, commissioned by various institutions, appears in publications like The Poetry Review and Nataal. Jama's theatrical involvement spans writing for productions like "Dorothee Munyaneza’s Mailles" and "Akal."

Jama's impactful writing has been commissioned by respected entities like Jerwood Arts, Hayward Gallery, Arnolfini, and Ifa Gallery, with published works featured in notable publications like The Poetry Review and Nataal.

Jama was commended for the Brunel African Poetry Prize (2022); and shortlisted for the New Poets Prize (2022) Queen Mary Wasafiri Writing Prize (2021); James Berry Poetry Prize (2021); To Speak Europe in Other Languages Prize (2020), and longlisted for National Poetry Competition ( 2021 ) and is a Cave Canem Fellow. Their accolades include commendations for the Brunel African Poetry Prize and residencies at prestigious institutions like the School for Sonic Memory, and Mucem/Onassis Stegi.

Recently, Jama's solo exhibition at Spike Island culminated with a commissioned showcase across 25 billboard sites in Bristol, exhibiting their diverse artistic talent.


HONOURABLE MENTIONS


Having faced a challenging task in selecting the winners, given the exceptional level of talent and creativity on display, the jury also selected Roanna Tella (Nigerian category) and Lawrence Mwangi (African/Diaspora category) for honourable mentions. Both artists will receive prizes of $2,000 and tailored mentorship.


Roanna Tella,
Nigeria

Lawrence Mwangi,
Kenya






The Finalists



Anne Mutema,
Zimbabwe

Chidimma Nwafor,
Nigeria



Chinwe Chigbu

Dior Thiam,
Germany



Edward Prah,
Ghana

Wale Matuluko,
Nigeria




THE JURY



Emeka Ogboh
ARTIST





Daudi Karungi
FOUNDER, AFRIART GALLERY
Gabi Ngcobo ARTIST, EDUCATOR & CURATORIAL DIRECTOR, JAVETT ART CENTRE



Barthélémy Toguo
ARTIST

Yesomi Umolu DIRECTOR OF CURATORIAL & PUBLIC PRACTICE FOR THE SERPENTINE GALLERIES



Babajide Adeniyi-Jones DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER



ABOUT ACCESS HOLDINGS

In line with Access Holding's vision to create a globally connected community, the organization is a fervent supporter of African art and is driven to assist Africans in narrating their stories through imaginative and inventive ways. As the headline sponsors of Art X Prize for seven consecutive years, Access, one of Africa's leading financial institutions, has demonstrated its continuous commitment to fostering the dynamic creative spirit that permeates Africa. Bridging the gap between Nigeria, other African nations, and the world, Art X Prize serves as a unifier. Our intention is to make sure African creative works can coexist with those of their international counterparts.




PROUDLY SPONSORED BY




IN PARTNERSHIP WITH


PREVIOUS EDITIONS





ACCESS ART X PRIZE 2023


The Access ART X Prize, a prestigious platform for recognising and nurturing emerging artistic talent from Africa and its diaspora, has announced the distinguished winners of its 2023 edition. After careful deliberation, Julius Agbaje from Nigeria and Asmaa Jama representing the Africa/Diaspora category were selected as the standout talents from an exceptional pool of finalists.

Their selection is a testament to their artistic prowess, unique vision, and potential for global impact.

The Nigerian Winner Will Receive:

- Residency at Gasworks, London
- Exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024
- Support in the form of a $10,000 grant
- An invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange


The African/Diasporan Winner Will Receive:

- Residency at Yinka Shonibare’s GAS Foundation, Lagos
- Exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024
- Support in the form of a $10,000 grant
- An invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange


JULIUS AGBAJE

THE 2023 NIGERIA WINNER


Julius Agbaje, a Nigerian Artist (b. 1992) born in Agege, Lagos to a Pastor and a teacher, initially pursued Computer Science at the Polytechnic but transitioned to art. After graduating from Yaba College of Technology with a Higher National Diploma in Painting in 2017, he furthered his artistry through an art residency and internship.

Julius’s artworks are a reflection of his life's journey, exploring themes like racial discrimination, politics and spirituality. Employing satires, metaphors, and symbolism, he engages audiences in pertinent socio-political and spiritual issues. His art, threaded with personal experiences, leads him back to Go and a discovery of his life's purpose.

Using diverse mediums like watercolours, oil, acrylic, and charcoal, and techniques such as stencilling typography, and screen-printing, he constantly evolves, now venturing into sculptures with clay, wood, metal, and fibreglass.

His exhibitions with renowned galleries and organizations globally, including The Koppel Project Hiv (London, 2021) and Artemizia Foundation (USA, 2020), highlight his impact on the art world. Featured in local and international news media, his art sparks crucial political conversations in Nigeria, where he resides.

A Lagos resident, Julius draws inspiration from the city's vibrant lifestyle, reflected in his colourful renditions. His involvement in NGOs like the Arts in Medicine Fellowship showcases his commitment to using art for societal betterment. He currently resides and works in Berger, Lagos, immersing himself in both art and community engagement.


ASMAA JAMa

THE 2023 AFRICA/DIASPORA WINNER



The 2023 Access ART X Prize Africa/Diaspora Winner - Asmaa Jama (Somali/Denmark) Asmaa Jama, a self-taught Somali multidisciplinary artist, writer, and filmmaker in Bristol, explores themes of myth, movement, and migration. Their film works, including "Before We Disappear" (2021 commissioned by BBC Arts and "Except this Time Nothing Returns from the Ashes" (2022) at Spike Island, showcase their interactive storytelling.

Jama's art has reached international platforms like the Venice Architecture Biennale and film festivals such as Blackstar and Sharjah Film Platform. Their writing, commissioned by various institutions, appears in publications like The Poetry Review and Nataal. Jama's theatrical involvement spans writing for productions like "Dorothee Munyaneza’s Mailles" and "Akal."

Jama's impactful writing has been commissioned by respected entities like Jerwood Arts, Hayward Gallery, Arnolfini, and Ifa Gallery, with published works featured in notable publications like The Poetry Review and Nataal.

Jama was commended for the Brunel African Poetry Prize (2022); and shortlisted for the New Poets Prize (2022) Queen Mary Wasafiri Writing Prize (2021); James Berry Poetry Prize (2021); To Speak Europe in Other Languages Prize (2020), and longlisted for National Poetry Competition ( 2021 ) and is a Cave Canem Fellow. Their accolades include commendations for the Brunel African Poetry Prize and residencies at prestigious institutions like the School for Sonic Memory, and Mucem/Onassis Stegi.

Recently, Jama's solo exhibition at Spike Island culminated with a commissioned showcase across 25 billboard sites in Bristol, exhibiting their diverse artistic talent.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS


Having faced a challenging task in selecting the winners, given the exceptional level of talent and creativity on display, the jury also selected Roanna Tella (Nigerian category) and Lawrence Mwangi (African/Diaspora category) for honourable mentions. Both artists will receive prizes of $2,000 and tailored mentorship.


Roanna Tella


Lawrence Mwangi


THE FINALISTs



Anne Mutema


Chidimma Nwafor


Chinwe Chigbu


Dior Thiam


Edward Prah


Wale Matuluko


THe JurY




Emeka Ogboh

ARTIST



Daudi Karungi

FOUNDER, AFRIART GALLERY



Gabi Ngcobo

ARTIST, EDUCATOR & CURATORIAL DIRECTOR, JAVETT ART CENTRE



Barthélémy Toguo

ARTIST




Yesoma Umolu

DIRECTOR OF CURATORIAL & PUBLIC PRACTICE
FOR THE SERPENTINE GALLERIES




Babajide Adeniyi-Jones

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER






PROUDLY SPONSORED BY








PREVIOUS EDITIONS


ACCESS ART X PRIZE 2022 WINNERS





ART X Lagos is delighted to share the recipients of the Access Bank ART X Prize for 2022. Dafe Oboro, a talented Filmmaker and Photographer, has been honored with the Nigeria Award, while Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński, a multifaceted Artist, Writer, and Researcher, has attained the Africa/Diaspora Award.

This extraordinary journey was guided by our 2022 Prize Curator, Jumoke Sanwo. In cooperation with our esteemed jury which included Professor Peju Layiwola, artist, art historian and writer; Victor Ehikhamenor, multimedia artist, writer and Founder of Angels and Muse; Dr Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Founder and Artistic Director of SAVVY Contemporary, Berlin and Sonsbeek 20–24; Maria Varnava, Founder and Director of Tiwani Contemporary; Gabi Ngcobo, artist, educator and Curatorial Director of the Javett Art Center at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP); and Alessio Antoniolli, Director of Gasworks & Triangle Network, London.

We extend appreciation to Access Corporation for their support and commitment to the advancement of the arts ecosystem, both within Africa and on a global scale. We are honored to present a visual presentation that offer an exploration of the artistic practices and experiences of our esteemed awardees, Dafe Oboro and Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński, during their tenure at the Gasworks UK Residency and Yinka Shonibare GAS Foundation NG Residency.




DAFE OBORO

THE 2022/23 NIGERIA WINNER


Dafe Oboro (b.1994) is an artist who works predominantly in photography and film. Drawing motifs from fashion and popular culture, Dafe uses evocative sound and imagery to contemplate questions of masculinity, movement across time and space, and the socio-political state of contemporary Nigeria, and greater Africa. Dafe aims to destabilize the often reductive understandings of Africa in mainstream popular media and open up room for a more nuanced engagement with the realities of the artist’s cultural context.

Dafe was the 2020 recipient of the film prize at The Future Awards Africa, and a 2020 nominee for Dazed Magazine’s Dazed100 list of people shaping youth culture. Dafe’s film work has been screened at various venues and festivals in London (V&A Museum - Friday Late & London Short Film Festival, 2021), Lagos (ART X Live! 2019), Milan (Fashion Film Festival Milano, 2019), Eindhoven (Dutch Design Week, 2019) and Edinburgh (Africa in Motion, 2019).




BELINDA KAZEEM-KAMIŃSKI

THE 2022/23 AFRICA/DIASPORA WINNER


Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński is a Vienna-based writer, artist, and researcher whose works manifest themselves through a variety of media. Rooted in Black feminist theory, she has developed a research-based and process-oriented investigative practice that deals with the condition of Black life in the African diaspora.

She interlaces with varying spaces and temporalities, thereby resisting a clean-cut separation between documentary and speculation.

Her solo and group exhibitions include: Seven Scenes, Camera Austria Graz (3.9.-20.11.2022), If A Tree Falls In A Forest (2022) Les Recontres d’Arles, Emplotment (2022), Museum Ludwig Budapest, KAS (2022) Centrale Fies, Solo-Exhibition Kunsthalle Wien (2021), The World Is White No Longer. Ansichten einer dezentrierten Welt (2021) Museum der Moderne Salzburg.

Her screenings include The International Film Festival Rotterdam, Diagonale, Vancouver International Film Festival e.g. Her awards and prizes include: Camera Austria Award (2021), Doc-Grant Austrian Academy of Science (2018-2020), Cathrin Pichler Prize (2018).


The Finalists


Kingsley Ayogu,
Nigeria

Lois Arde-Acquah,
Ghana
Louisa Marajo, France/Martinique
Mallory Lowe Mpoka,
Canada


Matthew Eguavoen,
Nigeria

neec nonso,
Nigeria

Tolulope Ami-Williams,
Nigeria

Yetunde Olagbaju,
United States


The Jury


Dr Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAVVY CONTEMPORARY


Professor Peju Layiwola
ARTIST AND HISTORIAN

Alessio Antoniolli
DIRECTOR, GASWORKS &
TRIANGLE NETWORK


Maria Varnava
FOUNDER, TIWANI CONTEMPORARY
Gabi Ngcobo 
ARTIST AND CURATORIAL DIRECTOR, JAVETT ART CENTRE (JAVETT-UP), UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA


Victor Ehikhamenor
ARTIST

ACCESS BANK 
ART X PRIZE 2021



Chigozie Obi emerged as the winner of the Access Bank ART X Prize 2021. This edition was adjudicated by a jury of 5 renowned artists and art industry stakeholders - ruby onyinyechi amanze, Alessio Antoniolli, Marie-Ann Yemsi, Ugoma Adegoke, Dexter Wimberly and Ndidi Dike.


The Jury


ruby onyinyechi amanze
ARTIST AND CURATOR

Ugoma Adegoke
GALLERIST AND CURATOR
Alessio Antoniolli
DIRECTOR, GASWORKS &
TRIANGLE NETWORK



Dexter Wimberly
CURATOR
Marie-Ann Yemsi
ART CONSULTANT AND CURATOR

Ndidi Dike
VISUAL ARTIST


After a rigorous screening process, five finalists emerged: Chigozie Obi , Chukwudi Onwumere, Mobolaji Ogunrosoye, Nyancho NwaNri and Omoregie Osakpolor, with Chigozie Obi emerging as the winner after the two-day Finalists Forum and presentations to the jury at Showcase Day.




CHIGOZIE OBI

THE 2021 WINNER


Chigozie Obi’s experimental artworks are created through the layering of multiple materials. Her work is consistent in the use of vibrant colours and figures to portray emotions and stories formed from personal experiences, and focuses on the representation of Black/African people in their diversity.Obi receives a N1.8million grant towards a solo presentation at ART X Lagos, a three-month residency at Gasworks, London, and mentorship and support.


The Finalists



Chukwudi Onwumere
Mobolaji Ogunrosoye
Nyancho NwaNri

Omoregie Osakpolor

ACCESS BANK 
ART X PRIZE 2019



The 2019 edition of the Access Bank ART X Prize was adjudicated by a jury of 5 renowned artists and industry stakeholders, namely Emeka Ogboh, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Ibrahim Mahama, Alessio Antoniolli, and Zina Saro-Wiwa.

The Jury


Wura-Natasha Ogunji

Zina Saro-Wiwa

Alessio Antoniolli


Emeka Ogboh
Ibrahim Mahama



After a rigorous screening process, five finalists emerged: Ayomitunde Adeleke, Christopher Nelson Obuh, Etinosa Yvonne, Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu and Peter Ebahi Okotor, with Etinosa Yvonne emerging as the winner after live presentations to the jury.




ETINOSA YVONNE

THE 2019 WINNER


Etinosa Yvonne is a self-taught documentary photographer, based in Abuja, originally from Benin City who considers photography to be a medium of expression and a tool to drive social change. Etinosa leverages on the power of visual storytelling to create awareness, educate and inform people about causes and issues she is passionate about.

Etinosa Yvonne will claim the winnings of a cash grant of N1,500,000, a three-month residency at Gasworks, London, in 2021, and a solo presentation at ART X Lagos in 2021.


The Finalists



Ayomitunde Adeleke
Christopher Nelson Obuh
Peter Ebahi Okotor

Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu

ART X PRIZE 
WITH ACCESS 2018





The 2018 edition of the ART X Prize was adjudicated by a jury of 5 renowned artists and industry stakeholders namely, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, and Oliver Enwonwu.



The Jury




Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya

Sokari Douglas Camp CBE


Yinka Shonibare CBE


Oliver Enwonwu

Wura-Natasha Ogunji



Three finalists, Ayo Akinwande, Williams Chechet and Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola, were selected during a rigorous screening process, with Bolatito emerging as the winner after live presentations to the jury.




Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola

THE 2018 WINNER


Bolatito is a trans-disciplinary artist working primarily in time based art, interactivity and performance. She lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria, and earned her Masters in Performance Studies from Tisch School of the Performing Arts, New York University and holds a Bachelors in Communication Arts with a focus in Television/Film Production and a minor in Political Science from Allegheny College. 



The Finalists




Ayo Akinwande

Williams Chechet

ART X PRIZE 2017




Habeeb Andu

THE 2017 WINNER


Habeeb Andu graduated with a degree in painting from Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, Nigeria. His work bears the proud influence of the late Nigerian artist Ben Osaghae, under whose tutelage he trained upon graduation. Taking inspiration from abstract expressionism, Andu combines vibrant colours, applied with confident brush strokes, with intricately arranged elements of discarded material, resulting in mid-to-large sized mixed-media works that explore socio-political themes.



The Finalists


Ian Audifferen

O’dare Adenuga

Osora Mojekwu