FIRST EDITION: 2022
Find out more about Sènami Donoumassou, winner of the 2022 edition
The first edition of the prize focused on the West African region : Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
Selection Procedure
In April 2022, The Foundation contacted a list of nominators who are notable figures in the Photography and contemporary African art scene: Alicia Knock, Anna-Alix Koffi, Armelle Dakuo, Armelle Malvoisin, Azu Nwagbogu, Ekow Eshun, Marie-Cécile Zinzou, Nadine Hounkpatin, N’Gone Fall, Oluremi Onabanjo, Taous Dahmani, Tyler Mitchell and Valentine Umansky.
They were asked to nominate candidates for this Prize: Fatoumata Diabaté (Mali), François-Xavier Gbré (Ivory Coast), George Osodi (Nigeria), Grah Aurélie-Jocelyne Toh (Ivory Coast), Ishola Akpo (Benin), Jacques Do Kokou (Togo), Kader Diaby (Ivory Coast), Kelani Abass (Nigeria), Laeila Adjovi (Benin), Lubabetu Abubakar (Nigeria), Rachel Seidu (Nigeria), Rahima Gambo (Nigeria),Sènami Donoumassou (Benin), Yagazie Emezi (Nigeria) and Zohra Opoku (Ghana).
Each artist was invited to present their application, consisting of an artist resume and a portfolio including three representative series of work.
The launch of the James Barnor Prize was hosted by MTArt Agency on Tuesday, May 10, ahead of the opening of Photo London. That evening, the shortlist of nominated photographers was announced, alongside insights into the prize from James Barnor. Following the announcement, James Barnor engaged in a conversation with Àsìkò, a photographer from the host agency MTArt.
In June, the jury, comprising Pascale Obolo, Christoph Wiesner, Damarice Amao, and Bimpe Nkontchou, and chaired by James Barnor, met to select the laureate. Sènami Donoumassou was unanimously chosen, while Fatoumata Diabaté received a special mention. The winners were publicly revealed on Friday, July 8, 2022, during the Rencontres d’Arles by James Barnor.
-
- Oath #1, “Oath serie”, Kader Diaby
-
- Acceptance, “Les Larmes de mon âme”, Toh Grah Aurélie Jocelyne Juliette
-
- The making of my shrine #1, «Wayward» serie, Yagazie Emezi
-
- Black Gold, «Oil rich Niger Delta» serie, George Osodi
-
- Untitled, “Pêche Côtière”, Jacques Do Kokou
-
- Akin V, «Agbara Women» serie, Ishola Akpo
-
- Untitled, «Ebira Va Be» serie, Lubabetu Abubakar
-
- Casing History, «Unfolding Layers» serie, Kelani Abass
-
- Swimming pool #3, «Tracks» serie, François-Xavier Gbré
-
- Untitled, «Na Man YouBe» serie, Rachel Seidu
-
- Untitled, “The Roads of Yemoja”, Laeila Adjovi
-
- I have arisen from my egg which is in the lands of the secrets. I give my mouth to myself (so that) I may speak with it in the presence of the gods of the Duat. My hand shall not be turned away from the council of the great god Osiris, Lord of Rosetau, this one who is at the top of the dais. I have come (so that) I may do what my heart desires in the Island of Fire, extinguishing the fire which comes forth, “The Myths of Eternal Life”, Zohra Opoku
-
- Excursion, “Tatsuniya” serie, Rahima Gambo