Kwadwo Ani   

Born in 1966 to a transport owner and a housewife mother, I worked on one of my fathers buses whilst trying to keep up with my studies. However this proved too arduous and I was unable to focus on my formal education until I enrolled in a graphics design program at the Opportunities industrialization Centre in 1988.

After saving hard I managed to get into Ghanatta College of Art where I graduated with a painting diploma in 1993. I went on to enroll at the Ankle College of Art in Accra where I attained a diploma in practical painting in 1995. My talent was finally realized by Nii Anum Telfer, owner of the Telfer Art Gallery in Accra, Ghana, who consequently gave me moral support to open my first exhibition, ?It?s great to be young? at the Telfer Art Gallery in 1998. This exhibition was a re-sounding success and I was invited to be a participant in the Abidjan (Cote d?Ivoire) Bina de Naïve in 2000. In 2001 I was shortlisted for the prestigious Bartimeus Prize. In 2002 I won the Royal Overseas League UK travel Scholarship for artists to expose my work to Europe.

My last name ?Ani? means Eye in Twi, my native language. In my recent work, I strive to portray the world around me through wide open eyes. I hope to convey the truths I see through the honesty and sincerity that only a naïve child possesses.

Selected Exhibitions

Vermont Studio Center Residency ? Vermont USA. 2004
Royal Overseas League Annual exhibition - London UK, Edinburgh Scotland. 2003
Blues ? British Council ? Accra, Ghana. March 2003
Children of Hope Novotel ? Accra, Ghana. 2002
Statue of Liberty, Gallerie Marina ? Lome. 2001
Art Alive ? Vermont, USA, 2000
Archive Gallery ? Amarillo Texas, USA 1999
S.O.S Novotel ? Accra, Ghana, 1999
Ghana 43 Novotel - Accra Ghana 1999
It?s great to be Young ? Accra, Ghana 1998

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http://www.roslarts.co.uk/pages/main.asp?section=visual_arts&page=prizewinners