Celebrating the Winners of the BE OPEN Regional Art Competition in West Africa

The BE OPEN Regional Art competition, an initiative by humanitarian think tank BE OPEN led by Elena Baturina, has proudly announced its winners from West Africa. This competition, which ran from October to December, transformed these months into a vibrant celebration of young talents from countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

Thanks to generous support from organizations like the African Heritage Center, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Burkina Faso Arts Association, and the National Gallery of Art in Abuja, BE OPEN expresses its deep gratitude to these entities for their commitment to supporting local artists and connecting with the youth of this vibrant region.

The coveted title of Regional Artist and a scholarship of €500 was awarded to Ghana's Ahmed Partey, a self-taught contemporary artist based in Accra. His profound inspiration from masks, sculptures, patterns, and symbols of West Africa drives his artistic practice. Through a methodology he calls Afro-A ancestral Spiritualism, Partey reimagines traditional African art forms, linking ancestral heritage to modern identity. His ability to weave these narratives into visual form sets him apart as a vital contributor to the region's cultural discourse.

Recognized with honorable mentions in the competition were artists Charity Meshach and Aluu Prosper from Nigeria. Charity, known for her figurative paintings, captures the rhythm and essence of daily life in her dynamic compositions. On the other hand, Aluu Prosper employs artistic techniques such as elongation and exaggeration in his work, which showcases his unique style while portraying the iconic Afro hairstyle.

In addition to the main awards, a personal scholarship of €300 was bestowed upon Erica Adjei, a mixed-media artist also hailing from Accra, Ghana. With a background in Visual Arts focused on imaging and leatherwork, Erica transforms discarded paper and materials into her artwork as part of her commitment to sustainability. This practice reflects her belief in giving new life to materials through creativity and purpose.

As the third edition of this regional art competition comes to a close, Elena Baturina expressed her excitement about the wealth of extraordinary emerging talents participating from around the globe. "Regional competitions highlight those capable of portraying the unique beauty of their cultural, ethnic, and regional identities. They provide opportunities for those who find it challenging to establish themselves in the art scene to gain the recognition they deserve. The BE OPEN Art initiative aims to bring attention to their voices and impact the lives of those who appreciate the diversity of art," commented Baturina.

Looking ahead, BE OPEN Regional Art will expand its reach in 2026 to include competitions in Northeast Africa, Central Europe, and East Asia. This global initiative seeks to foster creativity and innovation while supporting artists to manifest their vision and inspire communities worldwide.