Ben Enwonwu’s gilt-bronze Anyanwu achieved £602,100 including premium at Bonhams London, setting an auction record for a sculpture by the artist.
Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu Sells for £602,100, Setting a Sculpture Record at Bonhams
Yusuf Grillo’s One Man Band Sets Artist Auction Record at £461,300
Yusuf Grillo’s 1967 painting One Man Band sold for £461,300 including premium at Bonhams, setting an artist record. Explore its music, provenance and history.
Uzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900
Uzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I set an artist auction record at £198,900 at Bonhams London. Explore the painting’s imagery and meaning.
African Artist Sekoto Shatters Expectations at Auction, Selling for Over Half a Million USD—Four Times the Estimate
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).
African Artists Show Strong Results at Auction: William Kentridge Smashes Estimate
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.
Amref Honors Artist Kehinde Wiley with The Rees Visionary Award at ArtBall 2024
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
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
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
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.
Amref Health Africa’s ArtBall and Auction Honors Artist Julie Mehretu and the Power of Ethiopian Youth
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.
