Category: Africa

Latest World Art News from Africa

Global Art Exhibition “Stillness”: Echoes of Humanity in a Restless World

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Trauma leaves many traces, but not always in the form of visible pain. More often it lingers as silence: a frozen state of emotional detachment, an absence that resists articulation. The September group exhibition Stillness, presented by 34 Gallery in partnership with SimukaAfrica.org (SAYA), invites artists across continents to interpret this complex aftermath. The exhibition gathers a diverse roster of participating artists whose works span visual art, photography, digital media, and poetry. Together, they render the contours of stillness in its many forms.

African Artist Sekoto Shatters Expectations at Auction, Selling for Over Half a Million USD—Four Times the Estimate

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The late South African artist Gerard Sekoto has once again proven his lasting impact on the art world, with his masterpiece The Artist’s Brother selling for an astonishing £406,000 ($528,000) at Bonhams’ Modern & Contemporary African Art sale—more than four times its original estimate of £100,000-150,000 ($130,000-195,000).

Duct-Taped Banana Sells for $6.2 Million vs. 6.2 Million Children Die from Starvation Each Year

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A banana duct-taped to a wall has just sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s in New York, an event hailed by art critics as a record-breaking triumph. But as headlines celebrate this bizarre spectacle of wealth, one must confront an unsettling parallel: every year, 6.2 million children die from starvation, mostly in Africa. That’s over 17,000 children a day. While crypto millionaires and provocateurs play with their money in the name of “art,” over 700 million people around the world go to bed hungry. There’s something deeply rotten in our global culture when a piece of duct tape and a banana is valued more than the lives of millions dying from preventable causes.

African Artists Show Strong Results at Auction: William Kentridge Smashes Estimate

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A recent auction at Bonhams in London showcased the dynamic and rising value of Modern and Contemporary African Art, concluding with total sales of £2,439,400 (approximately $2,976,068). The event featured prominent works, including William Kentridge’s Monument I, which soared past expectations, selling for £483,000 (about $589,260) against its estimate of £200,000–£300,000. Kentridge’s evocative charcoal piece, rooted in his Drawings for Projection series, epitomizes his narrative-driven approach that intertwines historical introspection with striking visual artistry. Irma Stern’s Zululand and significant pieces by Ben Enwonwu and Marlene Dumas further emphasized the auction’s success, underscoring the burgeoning global recognition and deepening collector interest in African art’s profound heritage and contemporary vibrancy.

Rare Basquiat Masterpieces Worth Over $60,000,000 Unveiled by Phillips

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The spotlight shines brightly on the monumental 1982 masterpiece, estimated to fetch a staggering $40-60 million. This captivating piece, dubbed ‘Untitled (ELMAR),’ commands attention with its sheer scale and intricate symbolism. Acquired by the Pellizzi Family just two years after its creation, this eight-foot-wide marvel stands as a testament to Basquiat’s transformative journey from street art prodigy to gallery luminary. Rich in iconography and imbued with self-referential imagery, ‘Untitled (ELMAR)’ offers a profound exploration of duality within the artist’s identity, encapsulating the essence of Basquiat at the zenith of his creative prowess.

Amref Honors Artist Kehinde Wiley with The Rees Visionary Award at ArtBall 2024

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Celebrated African-American artist Kehinde Wiley is set to be honored with the prestigious Rees Visionary Award at this year’s ArtBall 2024, hosted by Amref Health Africa (Amref), the leading healthcare organization on the African continent. Known for his groundbreaking portraits that reimagine people of color in the classical style of Old Master paintings, Wiley has captured global attention for his iconic works, including the portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama displayed at the National Portrait Gallery.

Tretchikoff’s Missing “Lost Orchid” Re-emerges at Bonhams African Art Sale In London

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It is considered to be one of Vladimir Tretchikoff’s great masterpieces and is one of the best-known and most reproduced of his works. Yet for years his Lost Orchid was itself considered lost. Having not been seen in public since it was acquired from the artist in 1955, the painting has finally re-emerged and will now be offered at Bonhams’ Modern and Contemporary African Art sale on 27 March at New Bond Street, London. It has an estimate of £150,000 – 200,000.

High-End Art and Celebrity Collaborations: Exclusive Interview with Renowned Curator Jean-David Malat | Part 2

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Jean-David Malat is a distinguished celebrity art curator and owner of JD Malat Gallery. His collaborations with icons like Madonna, Kate Moss, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bono have solidified his prominence within the art world. Jean-David’s perspective within the art community stands out due to a unique blend of expertise, evoking admiration and garnering accolades. This quality makes him an engaging interviewee, as his insights possess the power to captivate and enlighten. With a convergence of experiences, a profound understanding of the ever-evolving art industry, and collaborations with luminaries, JD offers a perspective as compelling as it is illuminating. His journey through the tapestry of art, culture, and collaborative endeavors with celebrities presents a riveting narrative that consistently augments the enriching fabric of the artistic landscape.

Art Struggle in Africa – Zimbabwean Artist Shares His Life Story of Perseverance

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The story of Dumisani Ndlovu is one of hardship, perseverance, and passion. Born and raised on a substance farm in a rural area in Zimbabwe, Dumisani’s natural talent for art was evident from a young age. Despite the challenges of farm life, he continued to draw and create using materials found in the bush. After attending art classes, he eventually graduated from the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre and fell in love with the craft under the guidance of a Canadian artist. Although he struggled financially, he never gave up on his dream and continued to work tirelessly to perfect his craft. Today, Dumisani is a well-respected artist whose work is inspired by nature and tells his own story.

SANTAFRIKA Exhibition by Sant’Era and Sabrina Poli lands in Kenya on the Picturesque Island of Manda

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Experience iconic shots featuring young Kenyan women dressed in original couture dresses from the well-known Maison Martin Margiela – Artisanal and Comme de Garçons collections!

After the great success of the preview in 2022 in Rome, the SANTAFRIKA exhibition conceived by Sant’Era with the shots of visual designer Sabrina Poli lands in Kenya on the suggestive Manda Island inside the Blue Empire Cottage from 8 until 15 March 2023. On display will be a selection of about twenty photographs, printed on aluminum, featuring young Kenyan women dressed in original couture dresses from the well-known Maison Martin Margiela – Artisanal and Comme de Garçons collections.