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Edition 2023: Togo
Dreamy Memory
In 2023, the endowment fund wanted to highlight a new emerging artistic scene by devoting the competition to artists resident in Togo, as well as every Togolese artists of the continent.
Ras Sankara,
Winner of the 2023 edition
The call for applications was open from March 6 to April 30, 2023 and the theme was “Dreamy Memory”:
Memory and dreams build imagination, the creator’s raw material. The memory composes the history, while the dream, in the form of fear or desire, can be likened to a forecast of the future. This theme questions the bonds between these two human heritage links.
With a growing interest from independent initiatives for the artistic development of the territory, Togo is witnessing the emergence of an increasingly assertive contemporary art scene. The fruit of great cultural diversity, the country boasts some 50 different ethnic groups and 9 million inhabitants from all over the Atlantic coast, making it a veritable breeding ground for contemporary creativity.
54 applications were received as part of this edition including the candidacy of Ras Sankara, a performing artist whome the selection committee chose as the winner. The choice of this artist was a first, and his medium represented a challenge both for the mentor he benefitted from and for the promotion of his work during a fair.
The artist benefited from his first solo show, in France, during the AKAA – Also Known As Africa fair from October 20 to 22 2023, in Paris.
The reward for the winner
A production grant and professional support
Bespoke professional support and bursary amounting to €5,000 were awarded to the artist to enable his exhibition project.
A 360° communication campaign
A communication campaign was dedicated to the artist, including a presentation of his work in an art book published for the occasion, alongside world-renowned artists.
A solo show during AKAA with a stay in Paris
During his stay in France, the artist had the opportunity to prepare, exhibit and sell his work for the first time during the international AKAA fair.
Finalists of the 2023 edition
Each year, the ellipse Prize jury also rewards 4 finalists for their work.
Press releases
Our partners for this third edition
Selection committee 2023
Victoria Mann
Founding Director, AKAA Fair
Eric Wonanu
Visual artist and curator
Armelle Malvoisin
Journalist, curator and specialist of the African art market
Kokou Ferdinand Makouvia
Visual artist and cofounder of Atelier Ati
Juliette Delecour
Visual artist and cofounder of Atelier Ati
