Photo : © White V, Keren Lasme, courtesy ellipse art projects, 2026
Five Years of the Prix ellipse
Ellipse art projects celebrates five years of contemporary creation between Africa and France
Galerie (Paris 3rd)
About
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Prix ellipse, ellipse art projects presents an anniversary exhibition from October 15 to 31, 2026, at 62 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, bringing together 23 artists who have marked the first five editions of the Prize, which were successively dedicated to the artistic scenes of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. The exhibition is curated by Sitor Senghor, in collaboration with the ellipse art projects team.
Created in 2020 at the initiative of Ellipse Projects, ellipse art projects supports emerging artistic creation and fosters exchanges between territories, the sharing of knowledge, and intercultural dialogue. Since 2021, the Prix ellipse has honored a different emerging contemporary art scene each year, offering selected artists guidance, production support, and opportunities for visibility in France and internationally.
This anniversary exhibition marks the first time that the winners and finalists of the first five editions of the Prize will meet. Painting, photography, sculpture, installation, textile, or hybrid practices: the 23 artists gathered display a diversity of perspectives and approaches around issues such as memory, identity, transmission, social transformations, and the relationship with living beings.
The exhibition seeks to compare works created in different contexts. As the exhibition unfolds, links, resonances, and affinities emerge between the works, beyond territories and editions. It thus testifies to the richness and plurality of contemporary artistic practices from the scenes explored by the Prix ellipse during its first five years.
Through these five years of meetings, creation, and support, ellipse art projects reaffirms its commitment to the mobility, visibility, and professionalization of emerging artists, while continuing its ambition to contribute to artistic and cultural dialogue between Africa, France, and other territories.
Our take on this event
Twenty-three artists from West Africa gather in a beautiful Marais gallery space to mark a milestone of cultural exchange and discovery. From striking sculptures to intricate textiles, this exhibition presents a powerful mosaic of contemporary perspectives on heritage and transformation. Dive into this diverse showcase to encounter some of the most compelling voices currently defining the global art scene.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Prix ellipse exhibition takes over the gallery at 62 rue Charlot in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris from October 15 to October 31, 2026. This free event showcases 23 artists who have defined the prize's first five editions, focusing on the contemporary art scenes of Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Curated by Sitor Senghor, the exhibition features diverse mediums ranging from painting to installation. The space is fully inclusive, with specific adaptations to welcome visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those with cognitive disabilities.
The gallery at 62 rue Charlot hosts a significant retrospective from October 15 to October 31, 2026, marking five years of the Prix ellipse. For the first time, this exhibition brings together 23 winners and finalists from the prize's early editions, which have highlighted emerging scenes in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Curated by Sitor Senghor, the selection presents a vast array of artistic expressions, including photography, sculpture, textile arts, and hybrid practices.
By placing works from different origins side by side, the exhibition invites visitors to discover connections between themes such as memory, transmission, and social transformation. This collection reflects the evolution of contemporary practices fostered by ellipse art projects since its inception in 2020, emphasizing support for emerging artists and cross-cultural dialogue between Africa and France.
Admission is free of charge. The venue is designed to be accessible to all, providing specific adaptations for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those living with cognitive disabilities.
