Stanley Afful – ‘Kwesi the Artist a multi-disciplinary visual fine artist from Ghana, achieves a remarkable milestone as the Third Place Winner of the WIPO Photography Prize for Indigenous Youth 2024.

Stanley Afful 

Stanley Afful – ‘Kwesi the Artist’ - is a Fante multi-disciplinary visual fine artist specializing in societies and cultures. He has BA in African Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Stanley also acts as a mentor and trainer supporting youth in telling their stories to the world.

As a humanitarian artist, I serve as an embodiment of hope. As an advocate, I prioritize eradicating situations that threaten the well-being of humanity and encourage the appreciation of life. I am devoted to transforming fears into foundations and illuminating diversity throughout the world via photojournalism. Through my artistry, I explore, elevate, and evolve.

Stanley Afful

Stanley’s photograph depicts Edur Poon, a traditional Fante method for treating fever, malaria and other diseases. “In many Fante communities, even with the advent of contemporary medicine, the cultural transmission of Indigenous healing practices is deeply rooted in our socio-cultural practices.”, - Stanley shared.

Winners of the WIPO photography prize 

We are thrilled to celebrate Stanley Afful (@kwesitheartist ) , a multi-disciplinary visual fine artist from Ghana, as the Third Place Winner of the WIPO Photography Prize for Indigenous Youth 2024.

Under the theme “Indigenous Peoples’ Ways of Healing and Well-Being: Honoring Our Ancestors’ Wisdom and Knowledge”, this year’s competition invited Indigenous youth to explore the connection between their communities’ traditions, health, and well-being through photography.

About Stanley

Known as ‘Kwesi the Artist’, Stanley is a Fante artist with a BA in African Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. A passionate mentor and advocate, Stanley’s work serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging youth to share their stories with the world.

“Through his artistry, he explore, elevate, and evolve. He transform fears into foundations and illuminate diversity via photojournalism.”

– Stanley Afful

Stanley’s award-winning photograph features Edur Poon, a traditional Fante healing practice used to treat fever, malaria, and other diseases. He describes it as a powerful example of how Indigenous healing practices remain deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric of Fante communities, even with the rise of contemporary medicine.

The Awards Ceremony:

The winners were announced on December 2, 2024, at a prestigious ceremony held at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, which also showcased a breathtaking exhibit of the 15 shortlisted works.

Congratulations, Stanley, on this remarkable achievement! Your work highlights the invaluable wisdom of Indigenous cultures and inspires us all to honor and preserve these traditions.

Pictures subject to copyright 

#WIPOPrize2024 #IndigenousArt #FanteCulture #StanleyAfful

Source: KwesitheArtist