Nana Kwaku Boateng, a Ghanaian visual artist known for his hyper‑realistic graphite and charcoal portraits, has been shortlisted for the 2026 British Art Prize with his piece “Tailor Made.” The selection places him among 75 artists chosen for the international competition, whose works will be exhibited at the Oxo Gallery on London’s South Bank from 21 to 25 October 2026.
The artist, who has worked professionally since 2017, had previously faced rejection from the competition last year. “I submitted my drawings last year. I submitted the same one last year, but it was rejected,” Boateng told the Daily Graphic on 6 October. Undeterred, he returned this year with renewed conviction, stating, “I didn’t let the rejection prevent me from submitting something new. I was so convinced that this is it. This particular one will fit this edition. So yes, I just sent it.”
“Tailor Made” is a highly detailed portrait that explores the relationship between drawing and perception. Boateng explains that the work was created as an experiment into how the human brain processes visual information: “It was a drawing to experiment with how the brain sees a drawing and then immediately thinks it is a photograph.” He added that he deliberately introduced a sense of movement into the otherwise still image, encouraging viewers to imagine the subject blinking, smiling or moving: “Although it is still, I made it look like you can imagine yourself seeing the drawing move, whether it be the smile or you imagine her trying to open her eyes.” The piece is a reflection on “the power of the mind,” inviting viewers to consider how perception can transform a static image into an experience that appears almost alive.
Boateng, a graduate of Takoradi Technical University, has steadily built an international profile. In 2024 he won the People’s Choice Award at the Derwent Art Prize in London. His growing recognition in the United Kingdom was highlighted in May 2025 when the British High Commissioner hosted an exhibition of his work at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Accra to mark World Art Day.
The overall British Art Prize winner will receive £2,000, a solo exhibition at Panter and Hall’s Cecil Court Gallery in London, art materials and a six‑page magazine feature. Winners will be announced at a private view on 22 October alongside artists, collectors and other invited guests.
Boateng’s inclusion in the shortlist is seen as a reward for perseverance and a testament to his skill in pushing the boundaries of hyper‑realism.
