FIRST EDITION: 2022
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, François-Xavier Gbré, George Osodi, Grah Aurélie-Jocelyne Toh, Ishola Akpo, Jacques Do Kokou, Kader Diaby, Kelani Abass, Laeila Adjovi, Lubabetu Abubakar, Rachel Seidu, Rahima Gambo,Sènami Donoumassou, Yagazie Emezi and Zohra Opoku.
Nominees submitted a dossier that includes a presentation of their artistic career, and a portfolio including three representative series of work.
Launch
On May 10th, James Barnor Prize launch was hosted by MTArt Agency, on Tuesday, May 10, before the opening of Photo London. During the evening, the nominated photographers’ shortlist has been announced, with a perspective of the prize-giving by James Barnor in July 2022 during the Rencontres d’Arles. A conversation between James Barnor and a photographer from the host agency MTArt, Àsìkò, followed this announcement.
July 8th 2022
In June, the jury (composition: Pascale Obolo, Christoph Wiesner, Damarice Amao, Bimpe Nkontchou, chaired by James Barnor) has met to select a laureate. Sènami Donoumassou was unanimously approved. Fatoumata Diabaté received a special mention. Photographers’ names were announced on the evening of Friday July 8th 2022, during the Rencontre d’Arles by James Barnor.
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- Oath #1, “Oath serie”, Kader Diaby
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- Acceptance, “Les Larmes de mon âme”, Toh Grah Aurélie Jocelyne Juliette
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- The making of my shrine #1, «Wayward» serie, Yagazie Emezi
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- Black Gold, «Oil rich Niger Delta» serie, George Osodi
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- Untitled, “Pêche Côtière”, Jacques Do Kokou
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- Akin V, «Agbara Women» serie, Ishola Akpo
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- Untitled, «Ebira Va Be» serie, Lubabetu Abubakar
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- Casing History, «Unfolding Layers» serie, Kelani Abass
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- Swimming pool #3, «Tracks» serie, François-Xavier Gbré
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- Untitled, «Na Man YouBe» serie, Rachel Seidu
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- Untitled, “The Roads of Yemoja”, Laeila Adjovi
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- 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
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- Excursion, “Tatsuniya” serie, Rahima Gambo