In mid-June, the winner of the ellipse prize 2024 is finally known! This year, the contemporary African art program highlights artists of Beninese origin and their cultural and traditional heritage through the theme “Contemporary Tradition“. Of the five shortlisted finalists, only one was able to charm the juries and fit in perfectly with the competition’s dynamic. The winner of this year’s competition, dedicated to Benin’s emerging art scene, was Nobel Koty.
A painter exploring the art of self-portraiture, Nobel Koty was born in 1988 in Cotonou, Benin. This singular technique of representation enables him to introspect on himself and better define the human being he is. Appearing against a neutral background, the Beninese artist’s portraits are depicted in their simplest form, exploring notions of modesty and the link between the individual and his or her carnal envelope. The human body depicted in his works appears as a protective and comforting barrier, offering a profound connotation to his canvases. In a disturbing and moving visual aesthetic, the body is presented as a refuge where human fragility is depicted without restraint.
Through his self-portraits, Nobel Koty clears the air around him and clearly probes his inner world. With delicacy and emotion, he reveals the vulnerability of the human being, and succeeds in depicting moments of uncertainty that open the way to profound introspection at first glance. These moments of self-doubt, essential to our personal development, allow us to develop empathy and an understanding of certain mechanisms that were previously unknown to us. The self-portraits by the winner of the ellipse prize 2024, more than a simple representation of the self, invite reflection on the human condition and encourage individual introspection on the different paradigms of our existence and our immediate environment.
This immersive approach to his artistic practice earned him the coveted ellipse prize 2024, propelling his career onto the international art scene. According to the rest of the competition program, Nobel Koty will benefit from a production grant as well as an exhibition at the AKAA, ALSO KNOWN AS AFRICA fair, from October 18 to 20, 2024. The young Beninese artist will also benefit from tailor-made support and a communication campaign, offering him visibility with professional networks, both locally and internationally.
For the first time since its launch, the ellipse prize will be staging a group exhibition to showcase the creativity of the competition’s five finalists. From June 28 to July 19 at Cotonou’s Red House, Marcel Kpoho, Nella Aguessy, Maria Adjovi, Nauld Adjahuime and the official winner of this 2024 edition, Nobel Koty, will exhibit their works in a space set aside for this unique artistic presentation.
Nobel Koty, winner of the ellipse prize 2024, invites us to a profound introspection through his striking self-portraits. His art explores vulnerability and the human condition, prompting us to reflect on our place in the world. Her exhibition at AKAA and her support by the ellipse prize promise a meteoric rise. Don’t miss the collective exhibition of the finalists at Cotonou’s Red House to discover the wealth of emerging artistic creation in Benin. A must-see event for art lovers in 2024.
