Dora Akunyili’s daughter wins American art prize

by Kolapo Olapoju

Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the 32-year-old daughter of late Dora Akunyili, has won the 2014 James Dicke Prize Contemporary Artist Prize.

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The Smithsonian American Art Museum released a statement announcing Akunyili Crosby as the winner of the award which comes with $25,000, saying the prize “recognizes an artist younger than 50 who has produced a significant body of work and consistently demonstrates exceptional creativity.”

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Akunyili Crosby, who is a mixed-media artist, edged out other nominees – Cory Arcangel, Trisha Baga, Paul Chan, Barnaby Furnas, Theaster Gates, KAWS, Josiah McElheny, Dave McKenzie, Julie Mehretu, Frances Stark, Swoon, and Mickalene Thomas.

She was selected by a jury comprised of Studio Museum in Harlem Director Thelma Golden, Harry Philbrick, director of the Museum at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, artists Walter Robinson and Byron Kim, and Sheena Wagstaff, chairman of modern and contemporary art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Akunyili Crosby will also be featured in the New Museum Triennial.

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