Absa celebrates 40yrs of African Art with Ezra Appiah’s Solo Exhibition in ACCRA Absa L’Atelier

Absa L’Atelier, Absa Bank’s pan-African visual arts programme has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing African artistic talent as it marks its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of creating opportunities for emerging artists across the continent. The milestone has brought renewed attention to Ghana’s contribution to the African visual arts landscape, with the work and achievements of Ghanaian artist Ezra Appiah reflecting the programme’s continued role in supporting artistic growth and recognition.

The celebration was marked by the unveiling of Family Album: A New and a Reborn Version, a solo exhibition by Ezra Appiah, a 2024 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador, at The Mix Design Hub in Accra. The exhibition runs until 27 November 2026 and follows his two-month residency at the Kromdraai Creativity and Impact Hub in South Africa.

Speaking at the exhibition opening, Dr. Paul Bayliss, Senior Specialist: Art and Museum Curator at Absa and Project Lead for Absa L’Atelier, highlighted the importance of sustained institutional support in helping emerging African artists develop their practices, expand their professional networks and connect with audiences beyond their immediate communities.

Dr. Bayliss, who has led the Absa L’Atelier programme since 2011, reflected on its evolution and enduring contribution to the African creative industry. Established in 1986 in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), Absa L’Atelier has grown into one of the continent’s longest-running Pan-African visual arts competitions, providing a platform for emerging artists across 12 African countries. He emphasised that the programme goes beyond recognising artistic talent through awards, offering opportunities for mentorship, masterclasses, residencies, exhibition support and professional development.

“These exhibitions are not simply about showcasing artworks. They are about sharing perspectives. They are about opening conversations. And they are about creating opportunities for audiences to engage with ideas that challenge us, inspire us, and encourage us to see the world differently,” Dr. Bayliss said.

He further highlighted the significance of creating platforms where artists can communicate personal and collective experiences through their work, noting that African art has the power to connect communities, generations and cultures.

Also addressing the gathering, Nii Cyril Nai, Head of Internal Communications and Sponsorships at Absa Bank Ghana, highlighted the significance of the occasion within the bank's broader commitment to supporting the arts and celebrating Ghanaian creative talent. His remarks reinforced the importance of initiatives such as Absa L’Atelier in creating platforms for artists to develop their work, gain recognition and connect with wider audiences.

At the centre of the Accra exhibition is Appiah’s exploration of family, memory, identity and belonging. Drawing on personal archives, family photographs and lived experiences, the artist examines how family histories are remembered, preserved and interpreted across generations. In addressing guests at the opening, Appiah expressed appreciation to Absa and the Absa L’Atelier team for their support, as well as to the partners, creatives and guests who attended. He also shared insights Absa L’Atelier at 40 into his creative process, taking audiences through selected works and explaining the personal experiences, inspiration and motivations behind the exhibition.

The celebration also highlighted Ghana’s success in the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art competition, with Ghanaian photographer and visual artist Reginald Kofi Boateng named among the three recipients of the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Award. The winners were announced at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle Fair held in South Africa on 10 October 2026, as part of the competition’s 40th-anniversary celebrations.

The 2026 Ambassador Award offers recipients access to mentorship, masterclasses and an international residency, alongside an opportunity to stage a solo exhibition with support towards production materials. For Absa, the achievements of Appiah and Boateng demonstrate the importance of investing in artists beyond the moment of recognition. While Appiah’s exhibition reflects the possibilities that sustained support can create for an artist’s development, Boateng’s award highlights the continued emergence of Ghanaian talent within Africa’s wider creative landscape.

As Absa L’Atelier marks four decades of supporting African visual arts, the programme continues to build on its legacy of identifying emerging talent, opening doors to new opportunities and ensuring that diverse African artistic voices receive the recognition and platforms they deserve.