KNUST continues to shine on the global art stage as distinguished alumnus and current PhD student Ibrahim Mahama has won the Gold Award in the Established Artist Category at the inaugural Art Basel Awards held in Miami Beach.
Mahama, who earned his BFA in Painting and Sculpture from KNUST, has become one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists, internationally celebrated for his monumental installations made from repurposed materials and his commitment to socially engaged artistic practice.
The Art Basel Awards, selected by an international jury of curators, gallerists, and cultural leaders, represent the first major global honours dedicated to excellence and innovation across the contemporary art ecosystem.
In accepting the award, Mahama paid tribute to his alma mater, acknowledging the profound influence of KNUST's Faculty of Art and the pioneering blaxTARLINES KUMASI project on his artistic journey.
“I want to dedicate this award to the Art School in Kumasi, that is the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and to blaxTARLINES led by our mentor Prof. Karî’kachä Seid’ou, who has dedicated his life’s work to shaping the discourse of art making,” he remarked.
Mahama’s achievement stands out not only for its prestige but also for its symbolic significance. As an alumnus and active doctoral candidate, his recognition reinforces KNUST’s position as a powerhouse for artistic innovation, creative scholarship, and global cultural impact.
His influence spans the two major pillars of contemporary art:
- Art Fairs - the commercial and entrepreneurial drivers of the global art market
- Biennales - the intellectual and cultural platforms that shape global artistic discourse
Through both his international career and major community-based artistic projects in Northern Ghana, Mahama continues to demonstrate how KNUST alumni are redefining Africa’s creative future.
This award adds to his growing list of global recognitions and serves as an inspiration to students, creatives, and the wider KNUST alumni family.