Sculptor Ousmane Sow has become the first African to join the Academy of Fine Arts in France.

Sow, from Senegal, found fame with his 1999 exhibition in Paris, France and he was inducted into the revered institution at a ceremony on Wednesday (11Dec13).

The sculptor dedicated the honour to "all of Africa... and the great man Nelson Mandela" before a minute's silence was held in honour of the civil rights icon, who died last week (05Dec13).