Meet the 5 Finalists for the Access Bank ArtX prize

Art X has taken its place as West Africa’s Premier art fair. As it readies for its 2019 return, it commissions the the Art X prize sponsored by Access Bank in partnership with the British Council. The event which made its debut in 2016 is built on the hope of liberating and translating African Art to the world stage. 

This year, the Accessbank XPrize is in tow, with its main aim to bolster the efforts of emerging artists who have demonstrated a commitment to careers as professional visual artists. Artists go head to head for a chance to win; N 1,500,000 towards a project in progress, a solo exhibition at Art X, networking amongst the art community and many more perks.

Meet the finalists:

Ayomitunde Adeleke:

He is a documentary photographer who’s works transcend culture and societal issues in Nigeria. His works include candid and posed photographs, each paired with a short message that seeks to tell a story. Adeleke also pairs in landscape photographs in his documentaries.

(Everyday hustle in my city)

Christopher Nelson Obuh:

Christopher is also a documentary photographer who works freelance and takes pictures whilst traveling. His photographs include works of architecture, fashion, art and landscapes.

(From the series ‘No city for poor man’)

 Etinosa Yvonne:

A photographer using pictures as a visual representation of life. Osayimwen hopes to express the issues of society and show beauty through her portrait and landscape photographs. The budding documentary photographer also  ventured on an online photography project which she titled ‘it’s all in my head’. Yvonne intended to show the story of survivors during terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

          (A photograph from the “it’s all in my head” project)

Peter Okotor:

A visual artist and art enthusiast. Okotor creates artistic pieces that raise awareness and change the narratives of political debates. His works feature the use of Origami and collages to make meaning of his expressions.

(“We are all SEA tizens” Okotor’s expression of the topic of migration in Nigeria and parts of Africa)

He also engages in a number of art exhibitions and takes part in discussions about artworks and their interpretations.

Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu:

A photographer and visual artist. Yadichinma also makes art and virtual scrap books online. Focusing mainly on abstract art, she engages with shapes and symmetry to create photo journals and portfolios to exhibit her art.

Yadichinma also has an online portfolio where she displays her interesting abstract artworks.

The five finalists are currently meeting with the judges and the winner of the Access Bank ArtX prize will be announced next week. Visit the artxlagos website or check their Instagram @artxlagos for more information. We wish the finalists the best of luck!