We are thrilled to announce Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński as the winner of the African/Diaspora Access ART X Prize 2022/23! Kazeem-Kamiński was presented with the opportunity at a press conference earlier today alongside the winner of the Nigerian Award, Dafe Oboro. Both artists will receive residency opportunities at G.A.S. Foundation in Lagos and Gasworks in London respectively with grants of $10,000 each towards exhibitions at ART X Lagos in 2023 alongside mentoring and cultural exchange opportunities to support their success on the global stage.
The artists were selected by an international 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 would also like to extend our congratulations to the four other finalists for the Nigeria Award: Tolulope Ami-Williams, Kingsley Ayogu, neec nonso and Matthew Eguavoen; as well as the four other finalists for the Africa/ Diaspora Award: Lois Arde-Acquah (Ghana); Louisa Marajo (France/Martinique); Mallory Lowe Mpoka (Canada); and Yetunde Olagbaju (United States).
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and CEO of ART X and G.A.S. Director commented:
“We are delighted to present this prized opportunity to these two exceptional artists - Dafe and Belinda - who are unique in their perspectives but are united in their ambition to shift narratives about Africa and its global Diaspora. Our shared objective with Access Corporation, through this Prize, is to reinforce emerging artists at this pivotal stage in their careers, and we aspire over time to build a core group of artists for Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora, with the potential to become truly transformational, not just within the arts ecosystem, but within our broader communities at a social, national, continental and global level. We look forward to working closely with these artists on their development in the coming months, and anticipate that they will make the most of this opportunity, which culminates in their exhibitions at ART X Lagos 2023.”
We express our deep gratitude to our sponsor Access Corporation, the parent company of Access Bank for their continual support in bolstering the careers of emerging artists from Africa and its diaspora; and to all partners of the award and would like to once again extend our congratulations to both the winners and shortlisted artists.
ABOUT BELINDA KAZEEM-KAMIŃSKI
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).
Installation view and detail In Remembrance to the man who became etched into history as 'Der Aschanti an der Akademie' (2021). Print on hard foam board, wooden base, textile and cowrie shells. Image courtesy of the artist.
ABOUT THE ACCESS ART X PRIZE 2022/23
The Access ART X Prize, an annual award for emerging artists in Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora, and the leading art prize in Nigeria was recently awarded to two winners - one from Nigeria and one from Africa/ the Diaspora - as part of the 2022/23 edition, at a Press Conference held in Lagos on Friday 25th November 2022.
The Access ART X Prize was created by ART X, the organisers of the ART X Lagos art fair, and is sponsored by Access Corporation, the parent company of Access Bank Plc.
Formerly open only to Nigerian artists, the Access ART X Prize evolved in 2022 to include an additional award for emerging artists from the rest of Africa and its Diaspora, to strengthen its commitment to bolster the careers of a broader range of artists of African descent.