On October 27th, 2024, at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana, Denyse Gawu-Mensah was named the winner of the fourth edition of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, an annual award presented by Gallery 1957. The announcement was part of the climax of the Accra Cultural Week 2024, a celebration of Ghana’s vibrant art scene, organized by the gallery. This year’s event reaffirmed Gallery 1957’s commitment to supporting and uplifting Ghanaian women artists, whether based in Ghana or part of the diaspora.
Portrait of Denyse Gawu-Mensah. Photographed by Onasis Gaisie
Named after the iconic Ghanaian Queen Mother, Yaa Asantewaa, the prize is a testament to the power of women in the arts. Gawu-Mensah’s recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to the preservation of Ghana’s cultural history through her art. A graduate of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication design, Denyse has cultivated a unique artistic voice that blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.
Known for her nostalgic and storytelling-driven work, Gawu-Mensah explores themes of Ghanaian identity from the 1960s to the 1990s. Her artistic journey began at a young age, fostered by a creatively supportive family that encouraged her deep fascination with color, form, and shape. This environment nurtured her talent and instilled in her a strong desire to express her feelings through art.
Her project, “Archives: A Look Into Ghana’s Material Past,” exemplifies her dedication to preserving Ghana’s heritage. Through innovative collage techniques, Denyse portrays the architecture, fashion, and lifestyle of this significant historical period, utilizing vintage and archival materials that speak to the richness of Ghana’s cultural narrative. By visually narrating a bygone existence, she invites her audience to engage with her work on a personal level, evoking feelings of nostalgia among older viewers while educating younger audiences about their heritage.
Denyse’s artistry creates a bridge between generations, allowing older Ghanaians to share their experiences and knowledge with the youth. This intergenerational dialogue enriches the cultural narrative, ensuring that stories and experiences from the past are preserved for future generations. Her work not only captures the essence of a fading era but also serves as a reminder of the importance of storytelling in maintaining a collective cultural identity.
As the 2024 Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize winner, Gawu-Mensah will receive GHC 50,000, an artist residency, and an exhibition at Gallery 1957. She was selected by a distinguished panel of international jurists, including Godfried Donkor, Touria El Glaoui, Ekow Eshun, Margaux Huille, Koyo Kouoh, and Marie-Cécile Zinsou, all of whom are notable figures in the art world.
The prize’s first runner-up was Maame Adjoa Ohemeng, whose work reflects her unique artistic voice and earned her GHC 30,000. Rebecca Korang took the second runner-up spot, receiving GHC 20,000 for her contribution to the Ghanaian art scene.
The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, now in its fourth year, continues to provide a platform for emerging and established women artists to showcase their talents and contribute to the growing recognition of Ghanaian art globally. As Gallery 1957 celebrated Denyse Gawu-Mensah’s achievements, the event marked another milestone in the journey of contemporary African art, reaffirming the gallery’s role as a champion of Ghana’s artistic heritage.
Last year’s award went to Lois Selasie Arde-Acquah, with filmmaker Nuotama Frances Bodomo and multidisciplinary artist Akosua Viktoria Adu-Sanyah as the first and second runners-up, respectively. The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize continues to uphold its mission of empowering Ghanaian women artists and providing them with the tools and recognition they deserve to thrive on the global art stage.
