Prince Gyasi

Prince Gyasi was born and raised in Accra the capital of Ghana.{{Cite web |last=Dadzie |first=Kwame |date=2019-06-18 |title=Visual artist Prince Gyasi speaks at 2019 Skoll World Forum at Oxford University |url=https://ghanaweekend.com/2019/06/18/visual-artist-prince-gyasi-speaks-at-2019-skoll-world-forum-at-oxford-university/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Ghana Weekend |language=en-US}}

Gyasi started taking pictures in 2011 and bought his first iPhone in 2014 which was his primary tool he uses in creating his art pieces at the time.{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Prince Gyasi; Ghanaian Visual Artist Collaborates With Apple To Project Hiplife Genre |url=http://peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/news/201901/373087.php |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=peacefmonline.com}} He began with snapshots of friends, family and models from his hometown of Ghana and then realized he could seriously use his phone as an arts creation tool, as a means of expression.{{Cite web |date=22 January 2019 |title=Hiplife Music highlighted in new Apple Music project by Ghanaian Photographer |url=http://livefmghana.com/2019/01/22/hiplife-music-highlighted-in-new-apple-music-project-by-ghanaian-photographer/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Live 91.9 FM |language=en-US}}

Even though he shot with DSLR and film camera's he using iPhone to shoot at the time was a way to distinguish his art from other visual artists and photographers to break the codes of this singular and elitist art. His work is all about conveying feelings through colors and giving the floor to the people that are left aside from the society.{{Cite web |title=Prince Gyasi |url=http://nataal.com/prince-gyasi/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=nataal.com |language=en-US}} He indeed considers his use of colors as a source of therapy to his audience. Motherhood, Fatherhood, childhood can be considered as his most characteristic themes.{{Cite web |title=5 black photographers reflect on their art, Vogue's history-making Beyoncé cover |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/black-photographers-reflect-art-tyler-mitchells-history-making-57090573 |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}}

Prince art practice over the years has gotten him to be comfortable with every medium he chooses to use to express himself{{Cite web |title=The artist behind the Calendar: Prince Gyasi |url=https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/life/pirelli-calendar/the-artist-behind-the-calendar-prince-gyasi-109462/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.pirelli.com |language=it}} with which has gotten him recognized as Time's Next Generation Leader in visual artistry.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=The Visual Artist Forging a Connection Through Vivid Images |url=https://time.com/collection/next-generation-leaders/6317262/prince-gyasi/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Time |language=en}}

Prince Gyasi currently is signed to Maāt Gallery.{{Cite web |last=London |first=Photo |date=2023-02-22 |title=Maat Gallery - Photo London |url=https://photolondon.org/exhibitors/2023-2/maat-gallery/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=photolondon.org |language=en-GB}} He previously was signed to Nil Gallery Paris in 2018 which allowed him the opportunity to exhibit his art pieces at multiple art fairs in the USA.{{Cite web |title=Nil Gallery - Texas Contemporary 2018 |url=https://txcontemporary.com/galleries/nil-gallery-texas-contemporary-2018 |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Texas Contemporary}}

He has exhibited in the Seattle Contemporary Art fair, Texas Contemporary Art Fair,{{Cite web |date=28 September 2018 |title=CONTROL: IDENTITY, POWER AND RESISTANCE |url=https://afropunk.com/2018/09/control-identity-power-and-resistance/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=AFROPUNK |language=en-US}} Artsy & Context Art Miami and pulse Contemporary Art Fair (Art Basel Miami).{{Cite web |title=2018 {{!}} All Exhibitors |url=https://www.pulseartfair.com/exhibitors-pmb18/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=pulseartfair.com |language=en-US}} Prince has also exhibited some of his works at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in South Africa.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2019 |title=Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi for Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2019 |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2019/02/14/ghanaian-visual-artist-prince-gyasi-for-investec-cape-town-art-fair-2019/ |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=Citi Newsroom |language=en-US}} He exhibited at the Paris Photo at the Grand Palais Ephémère for the first time in November 11 to 14 of 2021.{{Cite web |title=Paris Photo 2021 : 5 jeunes talents de la photographie à découvrir absolument |url=https://www.numero.com/fr/photographie/paris-photo-curiosa-victoria-pidust-john-yuyi-prince-gyasi-shilo-karolina-wojtas |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Numéro Magazine |language=fr}}

Prince was the leading artist for the 10th anniversary of the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-07 |title=Kyoto spring: the finest Japanese and world photography – in pictures |language=en-GB |work=the Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2022/apr/07/kyoto-spring-the-finest-japanese-and-world-photography-in-pictures |access-date=2023-10-09 |issn=0261-3077}} His solo show took place in a three-storey building in Kyoto, entirely devoted to his work.{{Cite web |last=Henderstein |first=Lance |date=2022-04-26 |title=Kyotographie's 10th edition spotlights female artists in Japan |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2022/04/26/arts/kyotographie-10th-anniversary/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}

Prince's works also got featured in the Group exhibition "Um defeito de cor" at the Museo de Arte do Rio from September 10, 2022 until May 21, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Um Defeito de Cor |url=https://amlatina.contemporaryand.com/events/um-defeito-de-cor/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=C& AMÉRICA LATINA |language=en}}

Prince's participated in a group exhibition curated by Pharrell Williams at the Perrotin in Paris titled FEMMES. This exhibition was curated to explore feminity in the eyes of the various artists who participated in the exhibition.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Pharrell Williams Curates 'FEMMES' Group Show at Perrotin Paris |url=https://hypebeast.com/2025/2/pharrell-williams-femmes-perrotin-paris-exhibition-announcement |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Hypebeast}}{{Cite web |last=Features |first=Amy Serafin published in |date=2025-02-12 |title=‘The Black woman endures a gravity unlike any other’: Pharrell Williams explores diverse interpretations of femininity in Paris |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/art/exhibitions-shows/pharrell-williams-interview-femmes-perrotin-paris |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Wallpaper* |language=en}}

In December 2018, he got commissioned by Apple Inc. to work on a project in Ghana titled A Great Day In Accra to push the Hiplife music genre in Ghana to the world.{{Cite web |date=24 January 2019 |title=Sarkodie, Obrafour, Edem, others featured in Apple Music's Hiplife Essentials playlist |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/sarkodie-obrafour-edem-others-featured-in-apple-musics-hiplife-essentials-playlist/3w7zs08 |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Entertainment |language=en-US}} In this project he shot Ghanaian hiplife musicians like Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Reggie Rockstone, Okyeame Kwame, Rab Bakari, Abrewa Nana, Hammer of The Last Two, Beat Menace, Gurunkz, Joey B, EL (rapper), DJ Breezy, Stargo, Kirani Ayat, Akan (Musician), Kiddblack, Ansah Live, Imani N.A.D, Toyboi, Kwesi Arthur and Shadow.{{Cite web |date=23 January 2019 |title=Visual Artist Prince Gyasi Gathers Ghana's Hiplife Greats in 'A Great Day In Accra' Photo Series |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/prince-gyasi-ghana-hiplife-a-great-day-in-accra-photo-series/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=OkayAfrica |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=24 January 2019 |title=Reggie Rockstone, Kwesi Arthur, Joey B, others featured in Apple Music's new documentary |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/reggie-rockstone-kwesi-arthur-joey-b-others-featured-in-apple-musics-new-documentary/cc8kk2x |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Entertainment |language=en-US}}

In December 2019, Prince got commissioned by GQ Style to shoot Burna Boy for their Summer/Spring Issue 2020 in Ikoyi, Lagos. The shoot was titled "Global Giant" because of the release of Burna's album "African Giant".{{Cite web |date=5 March 2020 |title=A look at Burna Boy's N11M worth of fashion items in his latest GQ feature |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/fashion/burna-boy-features-in-gq-style-magazines-springsummer-2020-issue/67bwgnn |access-date=24 September 2020 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=5 March 2020 |title=Burna Boy Covers The Spring/Summer Issue of GQ Style |url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/03/05/burna-boy-covers-the-spring-summer-issue-of-gq-style/ |access-date=24 September 2020 |website=P.M. News |language=en-US}}

Prince was featured in Virgil Abloh’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection Off-White brand which premiered in February on Imaginary TV. He performed alongside Virgil Abloh’s new creative cast; Milanese choreographer, Michele Rizzo and Japanese DJ, Kiri Okuyama, all rocking apparel from the brands new line.

Prince also modeled the new Off-White SS21 collection which was featured on Farfetch in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Ghana |first=News |title=Prince Gyasi joins Off-White's new creative cast {{!}} News Ghana |url=https://newsghana.com.gh/prince-gyasi-joins-off-whites-new-creative-cast/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=newsghana.com.gh/ |language=en-US}}

In 26 March 2021, Prince got commissioned by Madame Figaro France to shoot Naomi Campbell for the cover image of that issue. The shoot was styled by Jenke Ahmed Tailly and was shot in Lagos during Arise Fashion Week.{{Cite web |title=Naomi Campbell's African Odyssey by Prince Gyasi for Madame Figaro March 26, 2021 |url=https://anneofcarversville.com/fashion/2021/4/1/naomi-campbell-prince-gyasi-madame-figaro |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=Anne of Carversville |language=en-US}}

In September 2021, Prince was commissioned by GQ Magazine to shoot Wizkid for its October issue in Accra, Ghana. Wizkid was crowned “King of Afropop” by GQ Magazine after this shoot which was styled by Karen Binns.{{Cite web |last=Badewa |first=Collins |date=16 September 2021 |title=Wizkid Is Crowned The King Of Afropop As He Features In GQ Magazine's October 2021 Issue + His Top 3 Reveals |url=https://www.stylerave.com/wizkid-gq-magazine/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=Style Rave |language=en-US}}

In the fall of 2022, he was commissioned by Balmain head designer Olivier Rousteing to retell the story of Le Petit Prince through images he shot for the Fall 2022 collection.{{Cite web |title=PRINCE GYASI SHOOTS BALMAIN |url=https://int.balmain.com/en/experience/balmain-x-prince-gyasi |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Balmain |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ghanaian Photographer Prince Gyasi Chosen to Capture the 2024 Pirelli Calendar - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/pirelli-calendar-ghana-photographer/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=Balmain ve Prince Gyasi, Küçük Prens'in dünyasında |url=https://www.retouchmag.com/balmain-ve-prince-gyasi-kucuk-prensin-dunyasinda/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=ReTouch Mag |language=tr}}

In October 2022 he collaborated with Converse in their Create Now and Create Next campaign in which he contributed in the creation of the film.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=Converse: #CreateNext |url=https://essentialjournal.co.uk/converse-createnext/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Essential Journal |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Converse Dünyanın Dört Bir Yanından 20’den Fazla Yaratıcı Sanatçıyı "Create Now. Create Next" Kampanyası İçin Bir Araya Getirdi |url=https://gq.com.tr/guncel/converse-dunyanin-dort-bir-yanindan-20den-fazla-yaratici-sanatciyi-create-now-create-next-kampanyasi-icin-bir-araya-getirdi |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=GQ |language=tr-TR}}

In 2024, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Cal, he became the first Black photographer to produce an edition of the calendar.{{Cite web |last=Baron |first=Katie |title=Pirelli Enlists Prince Gyasi For Radically Reincarnated 50th Calendar |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebaron/2023/09/26/pirelli-enlists-prince-gyasi-for-a-radically-reincarnated-50th-calendar/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}} In this issue Prince shot the following people for The Cal, they are Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, Naomi Campbell, Margot Lee Shetterly, Angela Bassett, Amanda Gorman, Tiwa Savage, Idris Elba, Jeymes Samuel, Amoako Boafo, Teyana Taylor and Marcel Desailly.{{Cite news |last=Paton |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-09-06 |title=A Landmark Year for a Rare Calendar |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/style/pirelli-calendar-prince-gyasi.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2023-06-30 |title=Prince Gyasi is the first Black photographer to shoot the Pirelli calendar |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/60246/1/prince-gyasi-first-black-african-photographer-pirelli-calendar-anniversary-2024 |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Dazed |language=en}}

In January 2024, Prince collaborated with Balmain's creative director Olivier Rousteing to reproduce his images on garments and turn them into clothes.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-20 |title=Balmain Fall 2024 Menswear Collection |url=https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2024-menswear/balmain |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-25 |title=Prince Gyasi, Asantehene's grandson, makes history with Balmain at Paris Fashion Week |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Prince-Gyasi-Asantehene-s-grandson-makes-history-with-Balmain-at-Paris-Fashion-Week-1912974 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}

Gyasi in March 2022 art works entered the Jean Pigozzi's art collections,{{Cite web |title=Ghanaian Photographer Prince Gyasi Chosen to Capture the 2024 Pirelli Calendar - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/pirelli-calendar-ghana-photographer/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}} the collections of François Pinault Art Foundation. La Fab (the Agnes b. Art Foundation) acquired and integrated his works into a group exhibition curated and presented by Agnès b.. The exhibition entitled "L'enfance dans la collection Agnès b." was dedicated to childhood and was held from February 24 to June 30, 2022 at La Fab, in Paris. In July 12 to August 21, his works was integrated into the group show Bande-Annonce an exhibition held at the Pole of Contemporary Art of Cannes featuring part of Jean Pigozzi's collection of contemporary African art.{{Cite web |title=Explore Bande Annonce - La Collection Pigozzi - à Cannes 12 July - 21 August 2022 in 3D |url=https://mpembed.com/show/?m=TUbo7SmhLbh&mpu=707&mpv=English |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=mpembed |language=en}}

Gyasi is currently represented by Maāt Gallery and was previously with Nil Gallery in Paris, France. In 2022, his Power of Choice (last edition 2021) sold for EUR 20,160 at Christie's in Londres, Somerset House. His Symbols of Womanhood (last edition 2018) sold for GBP 11,340 at Christie's and his work The Arrival (last edition) sold for EUR 44,100 at Phillips auction.

• He was mentioned by Vanity Fair as one of the top 9 visual artist to follow in 2018.{{Cite web |date=22 January 2019 |title=Prince Gyasi: The face behind Apple's latest project "A Great Day In Accra" |url=https://enewsgh.com/2019/01/prince-gyasi-the-face-behind-apples-latest-project-a-great-day-in-accra/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=Proudly Ghanaian! {{!}} EnewsGH |language=en-US}}
• Prince Gyasi was part of five black photographers interviewed by Good Morning America to speak about their work and about Vogue's historic cover with Beyoncé.{{Cite web |title=5 black photographers reflect on their art and Tyler Mitchell's history-making Vogue cover |url=https://goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/black-photographers-reflect-art-tyler-mitchells-history-making-57090573 |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
• Prince Gyasi has been featured on the BBC Africa for his exceptional way of making images with his iPhone.{{Cite news |title=Accra's Instagram artist on capturing life |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-47585593/prince-gyasi-instagram-photographer-on-capturing-accra-life |access-date=19 March 2019 |language=en}}
• Prince has also been featured by CNN style as one of the seven leading African photographers from across the continent.{{Cite web |last=Rosado |first=Ana |date=29 April 2019 |title=Experts name top African photographers across the continent |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/african-photographers-nataal-everyday-africa-tokini-peterside/index.html |access-date=22 May 2019 |website=CNN Style |language=en}}
• Prince was featured again by CNN on how his work turns to color therapy for a lot of his followers. The article also mentioned how Prince was one of the most sort after artist on the art marketplace Artsy moving from 54th to 2nd place in 2020.{{Cite web |author=Rebecca Cairns |title=How synesthesia helps artist Prince Gyasi turn his work into 'color therapy' |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/prince-gyasi-ghana-photographer-visual-artist-hnk-spc-intl/index.html |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=CNN |language=en}}
• Prince's art pieces offered at fairs on Artsy in 2021 has had the greatest number of collectors inquiring about them than any artist on the platform.{{Cite web |last=Felsberg |first=Kaylie |date=13 August 2021 |title=Behind Prince Gyasi's Rapid Rise in the Art Market and Beyond |url=https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-market-prince-gyasis-rapid-rise-art-market |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=Artsy |language=en}}
• Prince was also recognized in 2023 as a Time's Next Generation Leader for his work around visual arts.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=The Visual Artist Forging a Connection Through Vivid Images |url=https://time.com/collection/next-generation-leaders/6317262/prince-gyasi/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Time |language=en}}

Prince Gyasi was invited on 9 April 2019 to give a speech about his creative works during the 2019 Skoll World Forum at the Oxford University in London. During his speech he spoke about the stories behind his work of arts and his influences. He also spoke about his non-profit organization Boxed kids which he co-founded.{{Cite web |date=18 June 2019 |title=Visual artist Prince Gyasi speaks at 2019 Skoll World Forum at Oxford University |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2019/06/visual-artist-prince-gyasi-speaks-at-2019-skoll-world-forum-at-oxford-university/ |access-date=27 June 2019 |website=Citi Newsroom |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.maat-gallery.com/ MAĀT GALLERY PARIS]
• [https://www.princegyasi.com/ Official Website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEkqFvffRSM&feature=youtu.be/ Prince giving a speech at the Skoll Forum]

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Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the Accra Academy

Category:1995 births

Category:Ghanaian artists

Category:Ghanaian photographers

Category:Artists from Accra