Ghanaian artist, Kwaku Boateng, known for his distinct pencil portraits, has been named the winner of the Derwent Art Prize People’s Choice Award category, taking home the grand prize for his pencil drawing ‘Portrait of Nii’.
Boateng was one of six winners whose artistic pencil prowess was acknowledged as part of the 2024 Derwent Art Prize in London and took home a generous amount worth £500 from a total pool of £13,000.
“Beauty and tension,” Boateng told The Accra Times, inspired the piece that emerged number one out of over 6000 entries the Derwent Art Prize received from 2,324 pencil artists in more than 70 countries globally.
“It was not a drawing that I planned for, understand that’s the beauty of art…I got the inspiration from probably the sun,” Boateng would go on to say. “It was just beautiful that day and at that moment, I think if I didn’t capture it (the image of Nii) I don’t think I would be able ever to recreate that picture in my head,” he said.
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The submissions were shortlisted and streamlined to 68 artworks, which included Boateng’s.
Art judges including, Sergio Gomez, Curtis Holder, Valérie Sonnier and Helen Waters assessed this year’s entries.
“I am thrilled to announce that I am the official Winner of the People’s Choice Prize in the @DerwentArtPrize 2024 held in London. With over 6000+ entries from 77 different countries and a shortlist of only 68 artworks including mine,” Boateng wrote on X [formerly Twitter] to announce his victory to the world.
He further sent words of gratitude to the people who saw his potential and voted for him – he had taken to the platform earlier to solicit votes.
“Portrait of Nii” was selected as the best work at this year’s expo because of you. Special thanks to every single one who believed in me and voted for me. I thank God for this opportunity. This win is for YOU.. every single one of you. We did it Thank you so much. I love you all, Kwaku,” he added.
The Derwent Art Prize rewards excellence by showcasing the very best artworks made in pencil by artists from around the world.
This year saw over 6,000 entries by 2,324 artists in 77 countries and was exhibited at gallery@oxo in London, between April 4 and 14 of this year[2024].