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Picture of Benjamin Abana, taken by Anette Ejsing
“I am a self-taught visual artist and portrait painter. My style is colouristic, and when I paint portraits, I use colours to illustrate how the world and people are perceived from within. For more than 10 years, I have given my all to pursue the dream of making a living from my hobby, and I have lived a frugal life in order to focus on the art of painting.
When I won season 3 of Denmark's best portrait painter in 2019, I got the confirmation that what I do is adequate. I have not taken any education following the 10th grade, but I see in part the title `Denmark's best portrait painter` as my academic certificate.”
Why support this project?
“I have chosen to support EXIST with these prints because the trafficked Nigerian women are part of the whole #metoo movement, which does not have a voice themselves. It is these voices that EXIST acts as a mouthpiece for, and that is worth all the support. Moreover, I am half Nigerian, much of my family lives in Nigeria, where I myself have spent quite some time, so personally, this group has a deep impact on me. Last but not least, I know who is behind EXIST, and I know they operate from the street level on Vesterbro to the government level in Nigeria. It is this hard work on several levels that are helping to make a difference, and it deserves to be made visible. That is what I want to put a spotlight on to the best of my abilities.” - Benjamin Abana.
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