Prince Gyasi Nyantakyi is an internationally acclaimed Ghanaian visual artist whose bold use of colour, emotion, and storytelling has transformed contemporary African photography. Renowned for creating striking images that challenge stereotypes about Africa, Gyasi has become one of the continent’s most influential visual artists, earning global recognition for work that blends fine art, fashion, culture, and social impact. His distinctive style, often created using an iPhone, has captivated audiences worldwide while redefining how African stories are told through visual art.
Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Prince Gyasi began his artistic journey in 2011 before embracing the iPhone as his primary creative tool in 2014, intentionally breaking away from traditional photographic conventions. Living with synesthesia, a neurological condition that allows him to associate colours with emotions and words, he developed a signature visual language defined by vibrant palettes and surreal compositions. His work focuses on themes of childhood, identity, family, resilience, and community, presenting an optimistic and authentic narrative of Africa that contrasts with long-standing stereotypes. As he has often stated, his mission is to “repaint Africa to the world” by highlighting its beauty, creativity, and humanity.
Prince’s rise to international prominence has been marked by a series of historic achievements. In 2023, TIME named him one of its prestigious Next Generation Leaders, recognising his groundbreaking contribution to contemporary visual art. That same year, he became the first Black photographer in the 60-year history of the iconic Pirelli Calendar, producing the celebrated 2024 Pirelli Calendar, Timeless, featuring global figures including Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba, Angela Bassett, and His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The milestone firmly established him among the world’s leading visual artists and photographers.
His work has been exhibited in leading galleries and international art fairs across Paris, Miami, Seattle, Cape Town, Kyoto, Cannes, Rio de Janeiro, and Art Basel. His photographs are held in prestigious collections, including the François Pinault Collection and the renowned Jean Pigozzi Collection, while his collaborations span some of the world’s most respected brands and institutions, including Apple, Balmain, Converse, Off-White, GQ, Vanity Fair, and Bose. In 2024, he further expanded his creative influence by co-designing a collection with Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, inspired by his vibrant artistic universe.
Beyond his artistic accomplishments, Prince Gyasi is deeply committed to social impact. Alongside filmmaker Kuukua Eshun, he co-founded BoxedKids, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to providing education, mentorship, and creative opportunities for underprivileged children in Jamestown, Accra. Inspired by the realities faced by children in the community where his mother grew up, the initiative seeks to break cycles of poverty through education and creative expression. His acclaimed Boxed Kids photographic series brought international attention to the resilience and dreams of these children, reinforcing his belief that art can be a powerful catalyst for hope and change.
Prince Gyasi has also become an influential voice on the global stage, speaking at the Skoll World Forum hosted by the University of Oxford and participating in international conversations on creativity, innovation, and African storytelling. Through his lectures, exhibitions, and interviews, he continues to advocate for a new visual narrative of Africa, one defined by possibility, dignity, and excellence rather than limitation.
Today, Prince Gyasi stands among Africa’s most celebrated contemporary artists. His work transcends photography, merging art, fashion, philanthropy, and storytelling into a powerful creative movement that continues to inspire audiences across the world. Through every image he creates, he invites viewers to see Africa through a lens of colour, beauty, and boundless potential, proving that creativity can reshape perceptions and transform lives.
