Yaw Owusu Receives honorary award from Otumfuo

Celebrated Ghanaian artist, Yaw Owusu, has received a major honor from Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the second edition of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

He was honored as a Laureate for his exceptional contribution to contemporary visual arts in Ghana and across the world.

The colourful ceremony, organised by the Manhyia Palace Museum in partnership with UNESCO and Justice and Repairs, recognised outstanding artists and curators whose works continue to shape contemporary African art and preserve cultural heritage.

The event, held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Otumfuo Golden Jubilee Hall, attracted over 500 guests, including traditional leaders, diplomats, university vice chancellors, artists, curators, and representatives from international cultural institutions.

Other celebrated personalities who received honors included renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama, curator Osei Bonsu, veteran painters Victor Butler and Larry Otoo, portrait artist Afia Prempeh, Seychelles contemporary artist Leon Raddegonde, and Julie Hudson, African Curator at the British Museum. World-renowned Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui was also recognised during the inaugural edition of the awards in 2025.

Speaking after receiving the honor, an emotional Yaw Owusu described the award as a great privilege.

“I’m highly humbled to be a recipient of the 2nd edition of the King’s Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards at the Manhyia Palace. It’s such an honor to be in the company of the fellow awardees, who have contributed immensely to shaping the narratives and ecosystem of Art”, he said.

The award-winning artist also thanked his family, mentors, galleries, friends, and supporters for standing by him throughout his artistic journey.

Yaw Owusu is internationally known for using pesewa coins in his installations to explore themes of value, economy, history, and identity. His works have been exhibited in Ghana, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the USA, and Morocco.

He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from KNUST and an MFA from Pratt Institute in the United States. Over the years, he has received several prestigious honours, including the Kuenyehia Art Prize for Contemporary Ghanaian Art in 2018, and Pratt Circle Award/ Pratt Circle Honorary Award in 2020.