Malian Artist, Daouda Traore known for using his work to mirror daily life and his community, has received the top spot for the 2022 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art.
Born in Ivory Coast, the high school plastic arts teacher, was announced as winner of the 6th edition at an event held in Accra on January 12, 2023 beating over 178 artists who submitted their work.
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Founder of The Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art and art connoisseur, Prof Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia also shared Dauoda’s win on his LinkedIn account.
“Congratulations to Malian Artist Daouda Traore for winning the 2022 Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art,” a portion of the post read.
According to Prof Kuenyehia, Dauda’s work touched on several challenges facing the world including immigration, conflict and the Malian education system.
“Based in #Mali, Daouda uses his art to give life to #neglected#materials such as worn sheets, boxes, millet sacks, wire and wool. His art expresses some of the major challenges facing the world including #immigration and #conflicts, and the current state of the #Malian#education system amongst others,” he wrote.
Traoré won himself a $5,000 cash prize and a plaque. Other winners of the night include Odinakachi Okoroafor and Dela Anyah, Artist-in-Resident at the Norldor Residency.
About The Kuenyehia Prize
The Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art is the flagship programme of the Kuenyehia Trust for Contemporary Art set up by Professor Kuenyehia in 2014 to, among others, promote and advance contemporary African art.
Inspired by the world’s most famous art prize, UK’s Turner Prize, Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art aims to encourage talented West African artistes to pursue their dreams and to support them to build sustainable careers in art.
The Trust provides its artistes with multiple platforms to showcase and promote their work.
These include opportunities to participate in exhibitions, talks and publications.
The prize’s previous winners and shortlisted artistes had opportunities to showcase their works at leading art fairs such as FNB Johannesburg Art Fair and at events in the United States (US) and Spain.
The prominence that the Trust gives to artists provides them with an accelerated career boost, direct financial gain and opportunity, both locally and internationally.
The prize has also built collaborations with renowned cultural institutions, including ANO Gallery, British Council Accra, Alliance Française and the Dei Centre for Contemporary African Art.
