Nigerian artists shine in BIC’s Art Master Africa Ballpoint Pen competition

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, has announced the regional and national winners of the sixth edition of its flagship ballpoint pen art competition, Art Master Africa. Launched earlier this year, the competition called on creatives to illustrate their interpretation of Ubuntu (One Africa)—the theme for this edition—using the iconic BIC ballpoint pen.

This year’s event, held in partnership with Alliance Francaise Lagos, hosted numerous local artists, government stakeholders, and members of the Nigerian art community. Joseph Akpan emerged regional winner for his Stronger Together, while Joshua Makinde emerged national winner with Ayodeji. These exceptional creations, along with other finalists’ works, beautifully interpret the philosophy of Ubuntu, underscoring Africa’s interdependence and cultural resilience.

Art Master Africa selected three regional winners and six national winners across the continent. The top regional winner received $2,000, an exclusive feature in the Art Master Africa Metaverse Gallery and a chance to be included in BIC’s global Art Collection. The second and third-place winners were awarded $1,000 and $500 respectively. Each national winner, including Makinde, received $500 in recognition of their talent and creativity.

Commenting, Gregory Alibaux, Marketing Director of BIC Middle East and Africa and Art Master Africa’s custodian, expressed pride at running the competition for the sixth year in a row. “The competition has come a long way, starting in South Africa in 2017 and expanding into the wider region.

It has brought to life phenomenal talent from across the region and is a testament to our commitment to unleashing creativity using writing tools and living up to our vision of bringing simplicity and joy to everyday life through our products. We continue to be in awe every year after seeing the submissions we receive, and are confident that we will continue to help more talent surface through this flagship competition.”

Akpan expressed enthusiasm at emerging regional winner, adding that the theme, Ubuntu, holds deep meaning for him, as it speaks to the power of unity and community in Africa. “I appreciate BIC for providing a platform that not only celebrates African talent but also empowers artists like me to tell our stories to the world. This recognition fuels my passion and commitment to continue creating art that unites and inspires.”

National winner Makinde shared his excitement, saying the platform has given him and countless others an opportunity to express their creativity on a large scale, saying, “I encourage fellow artists to join and share their visions with the world.”

Since its launch, Art Master Africa has expanded into a prominent platform, welcoming artists from Africa and, more recently, the Middle East. Earlier this year, BIC introduced the Art Master Africa Metaverse Gallery, a first-of-its-kind space showcasing works from past and present winners and offering a virtual experience to art enthusiasts worldwide. In previous editions, BIC has been dedicated to empowering local artists and fostering the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria.

More pictures from the event: