At the end of May 2024, Tilga Art Fund announced an open call for emerging artists based in Nigeria or of Nigerian descent to submit project proposals on the themes of insecurity, youth unemployment, and poverty. The call was open to artists whose practices are rooted in photography, painting, sculpture, and multidisciplinary arts.
The jury, composed of art collectors and patrons Grace Osime and Jubril Enakale, G.A.S. Executive Director Moni Aisida, Nigerian Gallerist Adenrele Sonariwo, and renowned artist Victor Ehikamenor, selected the winners. This year's Grand Prize was awarded to Ugo Ahiakwo, who will receive a fully funded residency at Guest Artists Space Foundation. Alongside Ugo, the jury announced runners up; Elfreda Fakoya, Bayo Hassan Bello, and Oladele Bello, who will all receive cash prizes alongside mentorship, networking and publicity opportunities.
BLITZ, (2024). Wood, Brazil boards, Romania boards, mirrors, automotive paint, and lacquer. Image courtesy of the artist.
Ahiakwo's work reflects his engagement with the objects around him, aiming to convey personal and observed stories. During his residency at G.A.S. Foundation, he plans to explore how a new environment might impact his creative process and output. Typically working within contained environments, he is eager to find out how a supportive and creatively focused setting might influence the scale and intimacy of his work and looks forward to collaborating with other artists during his stay. The G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive will also play a pivotal role, as he hopes the resource will deepen his knowledge of art history ultimately inspiring and enhancing his practice.
SPARKS FLY III (Apocalyptic Love), (2024). Car bonnet, automotive paint, lacquer. Image courtesy of the artist.
The Tilga Art Fund 2024 marks the second iteration of the prize delivered in collaboration with G.A.S. Foundation. It plays an important role in helping us to provide valuable and transformational opportunities for creative practitioners like Ahiakwo and the 2023 winner Katesi Kalange.
ABOUT UGO AHIAKWO
Ugo Ahiakwo (b. 1998, Lagos, Nigeria) is a sculptor, curator, and furniture designer based in Lagos. His artistic practice merges art and design with his environment, focusing on abstract and minimalist styles to connect with objects and share stories, both personal and observed.
After serving as a resident curator at Soto Gallery in Lagos, Ahiakwo presented a solo exhibition at Alliance Francaise de Lagos from January to March 2023, showcasing his innovative curatorial skills. He has participated in several group exhibitions, including Factory Reset: Continued curated by Dennis Osadebe for Koenig Galerie x Numero Berlin, Reverie at The Dada Gallery, and Afterimages at Rele Gallery, Lagos. Recently, he undertook his first solo exhibition Sparks Fly (2024) at Borna Soglo Gallery in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Ahiakwo studied Fashion Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California.
ABOUT TILGA ART FUND
Tilga Art Fund, also known as Tilga Art Prize was created by Wally Bakare to support and foster criticality, broaden artistic practice, and engage new and exciting modes of art-making among young contemporary African artists. The Fund is now in its 5th annual edition and has awarded 20 finalists since its inception.
The Tilga Art Prize is a continuation of Bakare's investment in the youth across the globe, as a complement to his Tilga Scholarships. Over the past 14 years, Tilga Scholarship has awarded financial assistance to 30 students attending public universities and private high schools in the United States.
