Dr. Akpang is an art historian, curator, and educator who explores how modern creators engage contemporary ideas through visual expression. He is an Assistant Professor of Art History at The George Washington University's Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, where he teaches and writes on modern and contemporary art, visual culture, and artistic innovation. As a theorist, he specializes in twentieth-century African art, African modernism, and materially oriented contemporary art.

Through his work as an international scholar, curator, and writer, Dr. Akpang has developed a broad appreciation for diverse artistic practices. As a juror for this exhibition, he values originality, clear artistic vision, conceptual depth, and excellence in execution. He brings an informed, balanced, and global perspective to evaluating work across disciplines, styles, and backgrounds.