Ibrahim Mahama becomes the first African to top Art Reviews Power 100
Art Review’s 2025 list marked a major change. For the first time in it’s 24-year history, the number one position did not go to the western curator, mega-gallerist, or European museum figure. Mahama remained based in Ghana, directing resources into his hometown Tamale through SSCA, Red clay Studio and Nkrumah Voli-ni.
His work centers on labour, trade, and the afterlives of colonial materials. Topping the list reflects the international recognition of his practice, developed through long-term work in Ghana and intuitional building in tamale
Moliy becomes the first Ghanaian female artist to crack the Billboard U.S. TOP 10
Her ascent gained traction through a viral TikTok dance trend that spread quickly across platforms and countries.
Shake it to the Max (Remix) dominated Social media feeds, radios and clubs worldwide, also ranking as the most shazamed track at its peak as listeners search for it in real time.
Her Global success came without major-label backing or co signs.
Moliy reached the Top 100 on her own release, placing a Ghanaian female artiste at the center of a Global music moment driven by listeners and fans rather than industry machinery.
Ace Liam becomes youngest male artist in history at just one year old
Guinness World Records confirmed the Title this year after Ace-Liam met the professional bar: exhibition in recognized museum and selling work commercially.
At his Solo showing, The Sound out Premium Technology, he sold nine of ten works, including one purchased by former First lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, What began as a six month old painting besides his mother’s canvases become an international moment that placed Ghana’s youngest prodigy on the global Map
Amaarae becomes the first Ghanaian solo act invited to Perform at Coachella
Her Performance reflect the state pf her Career at this stage by placing her on the most Visible stages in Global music.
Coachella’s Main Stage are reserved for artists with reach, live presence and audience demand, This Appearance alongside her debut Blackstar Ranking at #10 on Pitchfork’s 50 Best Albums of 2025, reinforced Amaarae’s standing as a global pop star.
Joel Quayson wins the 2025 Dior award for young talents at Recontres d’arles
His Visual work How do you Feel? draws from his Ghanaian upbringing and queerness, combining film and personal narrative.
The Piece stood out within a highly competitive international programme and earned him one of the fields most visible emerging artist prizes.
The win marks a rare level of international recognition for queer Ghanaian creative work, positioning Quayson among a small group of early career artist acknowledge on one of Contemporary art’s most established stages.
Amoako Boafo presents his first solo exhibition in South Korea
Titled I Have Been Here Before, the Exhibition as held at the Wooyang Art Museum, Placing his work withing a major museums setting outside Europe and North America.
The Exhibition included Nsaa Pavillion, a site Specific architectural installation developed with Glenn Deroche.
The work Expanded his practice beyond paiting into architectural space, designed specifically for the meseum.
The Exhibition marks significant point in Boafos’s Career, reflecting the continued international reach and intuitional recognition of his works
Juls continues to build international reach as a Grammy-Nominated Producer
His nomination for work on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe) placed his works inside one the most widely recognised African albums of the decade.
His 2025 Grammy Nominated for Productions in Lila Ike’s Treasure Love further extended his presence across global music circuits. 2025 solidified Juls A one of the most influencial British-Ghanaian producers working within contemporary Afro-diasporic music.
