–Gallery Soview Announces Exhibition Featuring New Artworks by the Five Recipients of the Africa Prime Initiative Grant –
Ghana, September 2024 – Gallery Soview in Accra will host a new group exhibition titled ‘I SEE EVERYTHING YOU CAN BE’, featuring artworks by the five emerging Ghanaian artist winners of grants from the Africa Prime Initiative (API) – the philanthropic arm of the US-based video streaming platform, Africa Prime.
The exhibition will open on September 27th 2024. It will feature a diverse range of artistic mediums including photography, paintings., marking the first exhibition since the gallery’s reopening.
The five featured artists – Elroy Salam, Emmanuel Afriyie Arthur, Quarshie Dela, Baahwa , and Mary-Jo Adjetey – were each recipients of US$2,000 API grants to support emerging African artists.
This exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artistic expressions. Elroy Salam’s work explores the cultural significance of ‘Ataya’ tea gatherings, while Emmanuel Afriyie Arthur presents a series of bleach-on-fabric artworks that depict life in Ghanaian urban environments.
Quarshie Dela’s multidisciplinary approach examines themes of identity through anthropomorphic figures, and Baahwa ’s ‘Dear Women’ series challenges traditional beauty standards. Mary-Jo Adjetey’s ‘Interwoven’ installation promises a more immersive experience, expanding on her previous work in this medium.
Reflecting on the importance of the API grant, Elroy Salam shared that “Initiatives like API are crucial because they offer essential support and resources that enable artists to pursue their creative projects and push the boundaries of their art. These initiatives also foster a sense of community and collaboration among artists, encouraging the exchange of ideas and dialogue”.
Yaya Moussa, founder of Africa Prime, commented on the importance of investing in African talent: “Our aim is to invest in the future of African art by supporting emerging talent. Through these grants, we are helping artists develop their voices and contribute to shaping Africa’s narrative on a global scale.”
API has a strong track record of supporting emerging African artists. In the summer of 2023, API collaborated with StArt Gallery in Windhoek, Namibia, to present the Rising Voices exhibition, which featured the work of Namibian API grant recipients. API also partnered with Fonds Yavarhoussen in Madagascar to select and support emerging artists, furthering their careers and broadening their artistic impact.
The grants enabled all of the artists to purchase new equipment and materials, expanding and developing their professional practice. For instance, Emmanuel Afriyie Arthur acquired specialised materials for his unique bleach-on-fabric technique, while Baahwa was able to invest in photography equipment for her empowering portrait series.
Gallery Soview’s Founder, Barbara Kokpavo reflected on the process:
“Being part of the journey of these five emerging and talented artists has been deeply rewarding. Each of them brings something unique to the table, and watching their growth, supported by the API Grant, is refreshing and invigorating. This exhibition is a testament to their potential and the importance of investing in emerging talent at a critical stage such as the start of their careers. In my mother tongue, there is a saying that goes ‘one hand does not pick up the flour’, meaning that it takes a collective effort to achieve success. This collaboration between the API, the Soview gallery and the artists is a fine example. It’s the unity of our efforts that makes this exhibition possible and that, I hope, will propel the careers of these artists”.
‘I SEE EVERYTHING YOU CAN BE’ promises to be a vibrant showcase of Ghana’s emerging artistic talent, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the future of African art. The exhibition is free to enter and open to the public from September 27th 2024 to November 10th at Gallery Soview in Accra.
To find out more about the exhibition, visit @gallerysoview on Instagram and Facebook, or email hello@gallerysoview.com.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Melissa Bertolo
Sans Frontières Associates
mbertolo@sfassociates.ltd
+44 7570 630382
Barbara Kokpavo Janvier
Gallery Soview
hello@gallerysoview.com
+233 5608 90061
About Africa Prime Initiative
Founded by Yaya Moussa, the Africa Prime Initiative (API) is the philanthropic arm of Africa Prime, a high-quality streaming video on demand service dedicated to celebrating Africa’s talent, creativity and achievements. API’s mission is to give a voice to African creatives, offering them the chance to showcase their work, and ultimately ensuring that African cultures are represented on the global stage in a genuine and authentic way. API is planning to launch ambitious projects that will support emerging African talent across a spectrum of visual arts, such as film, photography, and contemporary art. Funds will be directed towards the development of skills and growth of artists’ presence internationally.
About Gallery Soview
Gallery Soview, a contemporary art gallery located in Accra, Ghana, is committed to increasing the visibility of these artists both within Africa and globally.
By bringing together diverse Francophone and Anglophone African perspectives, Gallery Soview aims to cultivate a vibrant West African art scene. The gallery’s ultimate vision is to nurture the growth of the local African art market while facilitating greater interconnectivity with the international art world.
A core part of Gallery Soview’s mission is showcasing the fresh talents of rising African artists. The gallery regularly features these artists at notable fairs such as Also Known As Africa (AKAA) and BAD+ art fair held annually in France.
