Eugene Ankomah | |
|---|---|
 Eugene Ankomah, 2017 | |
| Born | Eugene Ankomah (1978-06-08)8 June 1978 (age 46) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design University of Westminster |
| Known for | Painting, drawing, sculpture,printmaking,tribal art,contemporary art,mixed media art |
| Notable work | Drunkenness, Elijah Ascending to Heaven[1] |
| Awards | Peter Evans Award, Apthorp Fund for Young Artists, Contemporary Portraits Prize, Urban Tension Prize |
| Website | eugeneankomah |
Eugene Ankomah (born 8 June 1978[2]) is aself-taught Britishcontemporary visual artist ofGhanaian descent, with an art career that has spanned more than eighteen years.
Born and raised in theLondon Borough of Brent, northwest London,[3][4] Ankomah spent his early childhood living inGhana with his parents and four siblings, before his family relocated to the United Kingdom in 1990.[5]
He attended Willesden High School in 1991 now known asCapital City Academy, He then studied atCentral Saint Martins College of Art and Design, before going on to earn a bachelor's degree in Illustration and Fine Art at theUniversity of Westminster.[1][6]
At the age of 17, Ankomah became the first ever recipient of the Peter Evans Award, awarded by his school for best student, winning a prize fund of £900 as part of the prize.[6] He has been awarded from The Apthorp Fund for Young Artists[7] (which he won twice in 1999 and 2002), Urban Tension' Prize and Contemporary Portraits' Prize.
To date, Ankomah has taken part in more than 90 shows and exhibitions.
He was chosen by theNational Campaign for the Arts (NCA) – then chaired byMelvyn Bragg[8] (presenter ofITV'sThe South Bank Show and long-time broadcaster) – to showcase his work in a 2003 major solo show entitledThe Birth[9] at London'sCarnaby Street.[citation needed]
In 2008, Ankomah took part in a group show entitledAn Expo of Artful Dodgers[10] among a list of UK visual artists. He was part of a selected group of artists described as "the cream of up-and-coming talent" byThe Daily Telegraph.[10]
During this period Ankomah took part in several other group shows, includingGraffiti Express[11] (which he curated), an experimental group show which took place at The Wall at the Gallery inWillesden Green.
In 2002 Ankomah was one of a group of artists that worked on a flag forBuckingham Palace in honour of theGolden Jubilee of Elizabeth II.[6] In 2010 his works were part of a Coalition Government Christmas card.[12]