Ugo Ahiakwo, a multifaceted artist, sculptor, and designer, has won this year’s prestigious Tilga Art Fund Award.
This accolade highlights his outstanding contributions to contemporary African art and promises to elevate his career through significant opportunities and exposure. The Tilga Art Fund issued an open call for Nigerian artists and those of Nigerian descent to submit project proposals addressing critical themes such as insecurity, youth unemployment, and poverty. The call invited works in various mediums, including photography, painting, sculpture, and multidisciplinary arts.
An esteemed panel of judges, comprising art collectors Grace Osime and Jubril Enakale, G.A.S. Executive Director Moni Aisida, Nigerian gallerist Adenrele Sonariwo, and renowned artist Victor Ehikamenor, meticulously reviewed the submissions to select this year’s winners.
Ahiakwo, the Grand Prize winner, will receive an all-expense-paid residency at the Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation. Additionally, runners-up Elfreda Fakoya, Bayo Hassan Bello, and Oladele Bello will benefit from cash prizes, mentorship, networking, and publicity opportunities.
Ahiakwo’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in exploring the objects around him, aiming to convey both personal and observed narratives. During his residency at the G.A.S. Foundation, he plans to investigate how a new environment will influence his creative process and output. Moreover, he looks forward to collaborating with other artists and utilizing the G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive, which will offer inspiration and enhance his practice.
Born in 1998 in Lagos, Nigeria, Ahiakwo is a sculptor, curator, and furniture designer based in Lagos. His artistic endeavors merge art and design with his environment, focusing on abstract and minimalist styles to connect with objects and share stories. His impressive portfolio includes a tenure as resident curator at Soto Gallery in Lagos and a solo exhibition at Alliance Francaise de Lagos (January to March 2023), where he showcased his innovative curatorial skills.
Ahiakwo has participated in notable group exhibitions such as “Factory Reset: Continued” curated by Dennis Osadebe for Koenig Galerie x Numero Berlin, “Reverie” by The Dada Gallery, as well as “Afterimages” by Rele Gallery, Lagos. Recently, he presented a solo exhibition at Borna Soglo Gallery in Cotonou, Benin Republic, titled “Sparks Fly” (April – May 2024). He studied Fashion Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California.
Wally Bakare established the Tilga Art Fund—also known as the Tilga Art Prize—to foster critical thinking, amplify artistic expression, and nurture innovative approaches among young contemporary African artists. Now in its fifth year, the fund celebrates the contributions of 20 finalists who have demonstrated exceptional art talents. This initiative aligns with Bakare’s longstanding commitment to empowering youth globally. For over 14 years, his Tilga Scholarships initiative has provided financial assistance to 30 students. This has helped them pursue education at public universities and private high schools in the United States.
