The Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art Debuts in Lagos

Last Thursday – April 24, 2024 – the Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art (the ‘Kuenyehia Prize’) hosted an awards event and opened a month-long exhibition featuring work of the 15 finalists of the 2024 Kuenyehia Prize, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The event, the first to be held outside Accra, Ghana where the Prize started, brought together a crowd of artists, collectors, and cultural enthusiasts, several of whom had flown into Nigeria from Ghana.

Nigerian artist Chinecherem Peace emerged overall winner out of 217 applicants, with Senegalese artist Djibril Coulibaly and Ghanaian artist Moses Adjei named as first and second runners-up, respectively. The winners share prize money of ten thousand United States Dollars ($10,000) and would benefit from mentorship, international exposure, and tailored career development. As Isaac N.O.B. Ashalley, Coordinator of the Kuenyehia Prize puts it, “The Kuenyehia Prize is more than an award—it is a career catalyst.”

Chinecherem Peace, the winner, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, dedicating her win to “every young African who dares to dream on a blank canvas.”

The founder, Professor Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, opened the night with personal reflections on the transformative power of African art. Sharing a story about his early art collecting days, he recounted how a modest $50 purchase grew exponentially in value — a vivid testament to the often-overlooked potential of African artists. “When we support our artists, we create shared prosperity,” he urged, encouraging the audience to mirror the pride and support Nigerians show for their creative industries.

The guest of honour, Gideon Aryeequaye, Executive Secretary of Ghana’s Creative Arts Agency, delivered an inspiring speech, reminding attendees that “life is but a piece of art: we are either the art or the artists.” He called on African societies to treat art not as an accessory, but as an essential part of cultural and national identity.

The evening concluded with guests exploring an exhibition of works by the 15 shortlisted artists, participating in a silent auction, and engaging with art that tells stories of resilience, heritage, and innovation.

The public exhibition, which was opened by Ms. Barbra Anti, the Ag. Consul-General of Ghana to Lagos, continues until 24 May 2025 at 1952 Africa12a Abeke Animashaun Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.