Category: Africa

Latest World Art News from Africa

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.

Amref Health Africa’s ArtBall and Auction Honors Artist Julie Mehretu and the Power of Ethiopian Youth 

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On February 25, 2023 at 26 Bridge in Brooklyn, NY, Amref Health Africa will host their annual ArtBall event  and adjoining art auction, creating a connection between African culture and philanthropy to celebrate and  highlight the talent of the African continent. This year Amref Health Africa will honor world-renowned  Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu with the Rees Visionary Award. 

ArtBall features a Contemporary African, Pan-African, and Black art auction, entertainment, food and  beverages from award-winning Black-owned vendors, an installation, and an award ceremony, and has grown  from just over 300 attendees to nearly 800, with an emphasis on the African diaspora. Notable hosts and guests  have included Solange, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Chris Rock, Antwaun Sargent, Kimberly Drew, Hank Willis  Thomas, Isolde Brielmaier, Shantell Martin, Nina Chanel Abney, Jack Shainman, Young Paris, and many more. 

Dionn Reneé, artist of ‘The Woman King’ film poster, paints Queen Diambi — the real-life ‘Woman King’ | VIDEO

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Dionn Reneé is recognized for her work as a fine artist, graphic designer, and photographer throughout the entertainment industry. She has painted portraits of Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, and Maya Angelou, who displayed her portrait in her office. This year Dionn has been named ‘Selected Creator’ by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. and Columbia Tristar Marketing Group, Inc. for usage of her original artwork
in the global marketing campaign for the film, ‘The Woman King’.

The recently released Hollywood Blockbuster movie ‘The Woman King’ created a unique opportunity for Reneé, an already internationally recognized artist, to meet and paint an original portrait for the real-life ‘Woman King’ — Queen Diambi.

Celebrated Nigerian artist Amarachi Okafor highlights Ecological Disaster

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Well-known for the powerful messages conveyed across various media, Nigerian-based artist Amarachi Okafor decided to tackle a large-scale ecological disaster created by countless small, discarded cigarette butts in her latest work.

Now that effort will be featured in an upcoming exhibition “Announcing beauty, mercy, kindness and love” a rare retrospective exhibition chronicling 20 years of practice by the critically acclaimed Nigerian artist and curator. The exhibition opened October 29 at the Lagos’ Red Door Gallery, and will be open until November 19, 2022.

Life Is A Beautiful Colour – Exhibition of Contemporary African Artists

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Qhamanande Maswana Blue Beanie, 2022

Janet Rady Fine Art is pleased to present ‘Life Is A Beautiful Colour,’ a group show of  emerging contemporary African artists co-curated by Hyacinthe Kouassi and Elorm Gosu.

Including works by Frank Asso, Alex Gbizié, Muramuzi JohnBosco, Joseph Kojo Hoggar,  Qhamanande Maswana, Osman Salifu and Affen Segun the exhibition brings together works that  exude and celebrate the vibrancy and warmth of the contemporary lived experience across the  continent of Africa.

From representations of the fast pace of city life, the communal relationships shared in villages, to quieter more focused and confronting portraits of African youth, though the works in this show were created by artists from nations as diverse as their form and subject matter.

Nigerian artist Amarachi Okafor brings local perceptions to international stage

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From local to international, artist Amarachi Okafor has a knack for using the culture that surrounds her to create powerful messages that reflect the human condition.

Now, after 20 years of accolades and achievements, Okafor reflects on the global culture while continuing to draw inspiration from what is happening around her, in Nigeria and all of Africa and the experience of the people that live there as she prepares for a solo exhibition in October at the Red Door Gallery in Lagos.

Drawing from area culture and communities, Amarachi Okafor’s work embodies the Nigerian spirit while showcasing a global talent.