Ghanaian Art Gallery Seeks To Promote Women Artists

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Accra-based Gallery 1957 has launched the first-ever dedicated award for women African artists living and working in Africa in a bid to increase their profile on the international art scene.

According to a report by the Art Newspaper, the Yaa Asantewaa Art prize was named after the Ghanaian queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire. According to the gallery, the launch of the prize coincides with the gallery’s fifth anniversary celebrations and seeks to strengthen their commitment to supporting and promoting emerging and established artists across Ghana and the diaspora.

“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,” said Marwan Zakhem, founder of Gallery 1957.

Zakhem added that they have listened closely to the local community and identified a need to support women artists in Ghana. According to the statement, the winner will be chosen by a jury of international experts, including artists, curators and arts writers. The art scene in West Africa seems to be on an upward trajectory, receiving not only local recognition but also attracting a global audience that is taking a keen interest.

Recently, Nigerian art gallery Rele opened its doors in Los Angeles. The gallery, which already has two locations in Lagos, celebrated its sixth year in Lagos, having opened its doors in 2015. Winners of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize 2021 will be announced in August.