#Switzerland #Lugano #BE OPEN Art #Ahmed Partey #Erica Adjei

Celebrating Emerging Artists: BE OPEN Regional Art Competition Winners

The BE OPEN Regional Art competition, which aims to uplift emerging artists, has proudly announced its winners from the Western Africa region. Developed by the humanitarian think-tank founded by Elena Baturina, the competition showcases the artistic talents from a diverse array of nations including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, along with Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

A Platform for Young Artists

From October to December, a wave of recognition has been poured over these talented young artists, acknowledged not just for their skills, but for their ability to translate their unique cultural heritages into contemporary art. The initiative has been supported by esteemed local organizations, including the African Heritage Centre, the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), and the National Gallery of Art in Abuja, among others. Their collaboration has ensured that these young talents could be reached effectively, thereby providing them the recognition they rightly deserve.

Winner Highlight: Ahmed Partey

The title of Artist of the Region and a generous €500 grant has been awarded to Ahmed Partey, who hails from Accra, Ghana. A self-taught contemporary artist, Partey's work is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of West African masks and symbolism. He practices what he terms Afro-Ancestral Spiritualism, a transformative outlook that blends traditional African aesthetics with modern narrative, making his work a bridge connecting ancestral wisdom with contemporary society.

Honorable Mentions

The competition also recognized and honored two additional artists from Nigeria: Charity Meshach and Aluu Prosper. Charity, a figurative painter, skillfully captures the vibrant rhythms of everyday life through her art, while Aluu's distinctively stylized figures and exaggerated Afro hairstyles reflect his personal interpretation of cultural identity and artistic expression.

A Special Award: Erica Adjei

Included in the list of winners is Erica Adjei, also from Accra, who secured a €300 grant as part of the founder’s personal choice. Erica is known for her innovative use of mixed media, merging her knowledge in Visual Arts with sustainability. Her creative process involves utilizing discarded materials in her works, transforming what is considered waste into compelling pieces of art, embodying her commitment to environmental consciousness.

A Vision for the Future

As the third year of the Regional Art competition concludes, Elena Baturina expressed her excitement regarding the remarkable talents unveiled through these competitions. She noted the significance of these events in helping artists articulate their cultural narratives in a global context, thus providing them a platform to gain recognition and engage with art lovers who appreciate diversity.

Looking forward, the BE OPEN Regional Art initiative is set to expand its competition reach into Northeastern Africa, Central Europe, and East Asia, thus aiming to nurture and spotlight rising creatives across different cultural landscapes worldwide. This initiative clearly represents a robust commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange on a global scale.

Conclusion

The BE OPEN Regional Art competition not only celebrates artistic talent but also reinforces a sense of community and cultural pride within the participating regions. By giving voice to these young artists, BE OPEN continues to contribute to the rich tapestry of modern art around the globe, while advocating for the true essence of cultural representation in today’s artistic expressions.