Access Bank has granted $10,000 to Julius Agbaje from Nigeria and Asmaa Jama representing the African/Diasporan category as the standout talents from the Access ART X Prize.
Additionally, the Nigerian winner will embark on a three-month residency at Gasworks, London, while the African/Diasporan winner will enjoy a residency at Yinka Shonibare’s GAS Foundation in Lagos.
Speaking on the Access ART X Prize in Lagos recently, The Founder of ART X Collective, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, said the vision to showcase the depth and diversity of contemporary African art to the world revealed a critical necessity, which was the need to nurture and guide emerging talent on the continent to ensure their lasting impact.
Tokini explained that the birth of the Access ART X Prize was fuelled by an ardent commitment to bridging the gap for early-career artists, empowering them to evolve into adept, globally relevant creatives.
He expressed excitement are elated the platform has endured and thrived over the years, marked by substantial growth, adding that the creasing number of annual applications underscores both the vital need for its support and the tangible impact it is having
“Our vision to showcase the depth and diversity of contemporary African art to the world revealed a critical necessity, which was the need to nurture and guide emerging talent on the continent to ensure their lasting impact.
“The birth of the Access ART X Prize was fueled by an ardent commitment to bridging the gap for early-career artists, empowering them to evolve into adept, globally relevant creatives
“We are elated that this platform has endured and thrived over the years, marked by substantial growth.
“The increasing number of annual applications underscores both the vital need for our support and the tangible impact we are having.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, Herbert Wigwe said the Access ART X Prize is being viewed as more than an accolade; rather, as a catalyst for change.
Wigwe noted that the Prize embodies a promise that the bank will continue to support and nurture the burgeoning talents in Africa; foster diversity, inclusivity, and cross-cultural exchange within the African art scene, and deepen collaborations with partners that bring it closer towards the company’s vision of shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
“At Access Holdings, we view the Access ART X Prize as more than an accolade; rather, as a catalyst for change.
“The Prize also embodies a promise that we will continue to support and nurture the burgeoning talents in Africa; foster diversity, inclusivity, and cross-cultural exchange within the African art scene, and deepen collaborations with partners that bring us closer towards our vision of shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for all,” he said
Having faced a challenging task in selecting the winners, given the exceptional level of talent and creativity on display, the jury 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.
The Jury for the 2023 Access ART X Prize comprised luminaries such as Babajide Adeniyi-Jones (Documentary Photographer), Barthélémy Toguo (Artist), Daudi Karungi (Founder of Afriart Gallery), Emeka Ogboh (Artist), Gabi Ngcobo (Artist, Educator, and Curatorial Director of the Javett Art Centre), and Yesomi Umolu (Director of Curatorial Affairs and Public Practice for the Serpentine Galleries). Jumoke Sanwo served as the curator of the prize for the second year running.
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