By Rosemary Iwunze

Access Holdings and ART X Collective have announced the ten finalists for the highly contested Access ART X Prize 2023.

This prestigious prize, now in its seventh year, continues to empower emerging artists and provide them with a platform to be recognised.
Since its inception in 2016, ART X Lagos has been a pillar of support for early-career artists.

This year, the Prize received over 3,000 applications from a diverse pool of talents, spanning Nigeria and the African diaspora.

The selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of renowned artists and cultural practitioners, ensuring that exceptional talents get the accolade.

In keeping with Access Holdings and ART X Collective’s commitment to bridge gaps as well as foster inclusivity within the African art world, the deserving finalists span a diverse range of nationalities, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.

The African/Diasporan finalists for the Access ART X Prize 2023 are Anne Mutema, Asmaa Jama, Dior Thiam, Edward Prah, and Lawrence Mwangi.

Their Nigerian counterparts include Chidimma Nwafor, Chinwe Chigbu, Julius Agbaje, Roanna Tella, and Wale Matuluko.

Two creatives – one Nigerian and diasporan – will emerge winners of the Access Art X Prize. Each awardee will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024.

Furthermore, the Nigerian winner will be sponsored to a 3-month residency at the famed Gasworks in London, while the Diasporan winner will participate in a 3-month residency at Yinka Shonibare’s GAS Foundation in Lagos.

Both recipients will also receive personalised mentorship, further highlighting the Access Holdings’ and ART X Collective’s commitment to nurturing artistic growth and fostering cultural exchange.

The Access ART X Prize 2023 is being judged by an esteemed jury which includes Babajide Adeniyi-Jones (Photographer), Barthélémy Toguo (Artist), Daudi Karungi (Founder, Afriart Gallery), Emeka Ogboh (Artist), Gabi Ngcobo (Artist and Curatorial Director, University of Pretoria), and Yesomi Umolu (Director of Curatorial Affairs and Public Practice, Serpentine Galleries).

Previous winners of the prestigious Prize include Dafe Oboro (2022 Nigerian Winner), Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński (2022 African/Diasporan Winner), Chigozie Obi (2021), Etinosa Yvonne (2019), Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola (2018), Habeeb Andu (2017), and Patrick Akpojotor (2016).

Access Holdings Plc is a leading multinational financial services group that offers commercial banking, lending, payment, insurance, and asset management services.