British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye has received top UK honour in the area of Architecture.
He has become the first black recipient of the Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Adjaye is receiving this highest honour bestowed upon people in the Architecture profession in the UK for his works throughout the years.
Sir David told the BBC that he hoped that his winning the award would “break a glass ceiling”.
“That was very important for not just me but all the black designers around the world who have been excluded from awards,” he said.
Adjaye also said “I hope this… allows more and more black designers to be celebrated.”
His work includes the Museum of African American History in the US, a high-end retail space in Nigeria and a memorial in South Africa.
Adjaye also designed Ghana’s cluster of arts galleries that tell the story of Ghana’s Freedom which has attracted thousands of visitors to the Venice art Biennale.
The Ghanaian national pavilion at the art Biennale titled the Ghana Freedom display marked the first time Ghana presented at the prestigious art event.
The pavilion’s exhibition title of “Ghana Freedom” was named after a song written by E.T. Mensah in 1957 to celebrate the national independence.
The Ghana Freedom art display explores the legacy and trajectories of Ghana’s independence through the work of the six artists spanning three generations.
Adjaye is currently involved in other projects in Ghana including a controversial design of a national cathedral which has divided opinions.
Source: Africafeeds.com
