“It’s about empowering Black people. That’s what my mission has always been.”
—Prince GyasiIn The Process, Ghana-born artist Prince Gyasi (b.1995) expresses the pride, focus and determination of the young female performers in his hometown of Accra. Applying principles of patience and perseverance from sport, music and dance to life, he explains that the work is about ‘building a foundation that will never be shaken when the rain comes – one that will stand the test of time and keep you focused and disciplined.’ Here, we see a near symmetrical composition of graceful ballerinas playing tennis rackets as violins against a vibrant pink tennis court. His unique colour sensibilities as reflected in this work are derived from his synaesthesia, a neurological condition that causes him to associate words and numbers with colours. ‘I document the culture with the use of colour to show people the other side of Ghana that people don’t see,’ notes the artist.
Gyasi is also the co-founder of the non-profit organisation Boxed Kids, which helps to provide education for children in Accra. The self-taught visual artist has collaborated with numerous high-profile brands, including Apple, Off-White and Balmain, and his editorial features include a March 2021 cover of Madame Figaro with Naomi Campbell. His work has been exhibited internationally, notably Prince Gyasi: The Truth of Color at Kyotographie International Photography Festival in Kyoto (2022). In 2023, he was named as one of the ‘Next Generation Leaders’ by TIME and made history as the first black photographer to shoot The Pirelli Calendar.
