Since his early childhood, as a synesthetic artist, words evoke saturated colors for him, and Ghana, his country of origin, provides him with an endless source of inspiration. Self-taught, Prince Gyasi has made a name for himself with his positive and colorful vision of African culture immortalized on his smartphone. On the occasion of Art Basel, he is at the heart of a unique exhibition, from October 22 to December 1, 2025, at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme hotel.
Don’t call him a mere photographer. Prince Gyasi, 30, claims to be an artist in his own right. His work draws inspiration from his childhood in Accra, the capital of Ghana, where he still lives, but also from his unparalleled mastery of the Apple iPhone. With his smartphone, he delivers images that are as striking as they are poetic, offering a different vision of Africa, one that is optimistic and luminous, far from the Western-centric image of pathos and misery that still too often clings to the rainbow continent.
His works are part of some of the most prestigious contemporary art collections in the world, notably those of Jean Pigozzi and the François Pinault Foundation (Palais de la Bourse, Paris). He exhibited at the 2022 edition of the Kyotographie photography festival in Kyoto, Japan, and also took part in group exhibitions at the Museo de Arte do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Pôle d’art contemporain in Cannes in 2022. A lecturer at Oxford University and the Skoll World Forum 2019, he has collaborated with various brands such as Apple, Converse, Balmain, Off-White, Madame Figaro, Vanity Fair, and GQ America.
Until December 1, Prince Gyasi, represented by MAAT Gallery in the City of Light, is the subject of a monographic exhibition at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme hotel, bringing together some of his most iconic works since his debut, as well as previously unseen photographs unveiled for the first time in Paris.
Photography at 16
Born in 1995 in Accra, Ghana, Prince Gyasi is a visual artist who discovered photography on his own at the age of 16. The year was 2011, and the iPhone had only been on the market for four years. The high school artist embraced this smartphone revolution in 2014 with his first Apple model. His first subjects were his friends, his family, and even models from his hometown.
His unique work on the iPhone allowed him to stand out and democratize artistic practice, far from the elitist aspect of art and photography. “I like to remind people that art is not about the tool in your hands, but a clear message that comes from within,” he told Time Magazine.
In December 2018, tech giant Apple Inc. commissioned him to work on a project called A Great Day In Accra. This gave him the opportunity to promote Hiplife, a popular musical genre in Ghana, through a series of portraits of local musicians.
Olivier Rousteing called on him to illustrate his Balmain Fall 2022 collection, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. His vibrant colors contrast with the watercolor representation commonly associated with this universal fable. The creative director of the Parisian fashion house could not have dreamed of a better director, both for his polychromatic universe and his commitment to youth. Prince Gyasi was 21 when he co-founded Boxedkids with his partner, film director Kuukua Eshun. Inspired by preparing an event for his mother, this non-profit organization helps provide education for children in Jamestown, a fishing neighborhood in the Ghanaian capital where his own mother grew up.
In 2023, the Ghanaian artist became the first Black photographer to shoot the famous Pirelli calendar, a symbol of contemporary culture stripped of its voyeuristic dimension and naked women, just as the tire brand celebrated its 60th anniversary. Once again, the inspiration and the models came from Jamestown, a neighborhood near his home. That same year, Prince Gyasi achieved early recognition when he was named one of Time Magazine’s “Next Generation Leaders.”
Redefining the codes of African culture
Prince Gyasi’s work, both intimate and committed, offers a counter-narrative to Western representations of Africa. He contrasts misery and misfortune with joy and color. The particularly saturated tones, strong contrasts, and plain, vivid backgrounds allow him to celebrate the energy, elegance, and resilience of his generation. In his eyes, “color can be therapeutic; it can treat depression and transform emotions.”
His practice is part of a form of visual synesthesia. This neurological phenomenon consists of associating colors with emotions and sensations to immerse the viewer in a sensory universe. His works evoke universal themes such as childhood, hope, femininity, resilience, food, and, of course, black aesthetics. Black bodies are prominently featured in her compositions, which challenge Western standards of beauty. Historically, artists have often portrayed Africa in a negative light, perpetuating racist beliefs about the continent and its inhabitants.
“As a visual artist, I believe my role is to redesign the image of Africa for the rest of the world, erasing the negativity often associated with its representations to show its positive aspects, and it is this observation in particular that inspired me to create something beautiful,” he said.
Unprecedented retrospective
Coinciding with Art Basel Paris and Paris Photo, the retrospective exhibition dedicated to Ghanaian photographer Prince Gyasi, held at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, is curated by Constance Breton.
True to its tradition of dialogue between art, luxury, and hospitality, the contemporary palace on Place Vendôme is transforming its spaces into a veritable gallery, offering a unique artistic immersion. The artist’s works can be found until December 1 in the hotel lobby and at the Café Jeanne restaurant.
To enhance the experience, Prince Gyasi has also collaborated with the palace’s master perfumer, Blaise Mautin, to create an exclusive signature scent, inviting visitors to enjoy a unique sensory encounter.
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Featured photo: © Courtesy of Prince Gyasi and Armand Dasilva
