Celebrating Two Distinguished Voices of Seychellois Art
Today, the Department of Culture, Arts and National Heritage, through the Creative Seychelles Agency, had the honour of celebrating two of Seychelles’ most established and respected visual artists, Leon Radegonde and Egbert Marday, whose distinctive artistic journeys have contributed significantly to the development and recognition of Seychellois art, both at home and internationally.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Amanda Bernstein, formally presented the ‘Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Award’ to Leon Radegonde, who was honoured as the Seychelles laureate of the 2nd Edition of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards, an international recognition celebrating artistic excellence.
The official ceremony took place on 13 May 2026 at the Osei Tutu II Auditorium, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, Ghana. As Mr. Radegonde was unable to attend, the prestigious award was formally presented to him today in Seychelles.
The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate Egbert Marday, who is currently representing Seychelles at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia 2026.
Marday’s presentation, “SEYCHELLES – Existence on an island,” curated by Nina Comini, is being showcased at the European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Mora, in Venice, featuring his artwork ‘Spiritual Journey’. This exhibition runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026.
The participation of Marday at the Venice Biennale and the international recognition received by Radegonde are significant achievements, not only for the artists themselves, but for Seychelles’ visual arts community as a whole.
Both artists have built remarkable careers over many years, developing distinctive and deeply individual artistic identities. Their work, recognised both locally and beyond our shores, reflects the diversity, originality and depth of Seychellois artistic expression.
Their achievements are a reminder that the contribution of our established artists continues to resonate internationally, while inspiring new generations of Seychellois creatives to find their own unique voices.
