The British Art Prize 2024: Interview with winner Samuel Owusu Achiaw
The winner of the British Art Prize 2024 has just been announced. Samuel Owusu Achiaw took first prize for his exquisitely diaphonous and hyperreal graphite and charcoal portrait of his sister, titled ‘Looking’.
We attended the awards ceremony at Southbank’s Gallery@oxo and were the first to interview the artist.
We’d like to know a little more about you. What’s your art background?
Regarding my art education, I studied art but would describe myself as essentially self-taught. I have had previous exhibitions, notably with the Royal Society of British Artists. I have won art prizes in the past, but I’d say the British Art Prize is the biggest by far.
What is the inspiration behind the work?
My artwork, Looking, is a portrait of my sister. She’s always been a constant source of support, encouraging my practice through the good times and the bad, so I just wanted to pay homage to all the times she was there for me.
How did you get such fantastic detail in your work?
Realism and hyperrealism have always fascinated me. I took up portraiture around eight years ago, initially just in an exploratory way, which deepened my interest. I stumbled upon realism and hyperrealism and found it captivating, and this fueled my practice in that particular direction. It takes me quite a while to finish a piece because of the intricate detail, but you have to be patient and trust the process.
What are your future plans? Any solo exhibitions planned for 2025?
Looking forward, I am still working on other pieces, some of which will be themed around environmental issues, climate change, and African art, literature, and culture. I am originally from Ghana, so yes, that’s a source of inspiration. I have no solo exhibitions planned as yet, but I am working on some new ideas, which I will share as soon as everything is finalised.
British Art Prize 2024
