One of the Top 10 Contemporary African Art Sold at Africa Now is Reservoir, a Charcoal and pastel drawing by South African artist William Joseph Kentridge. Image: Bonhams

ART AUCTIONS NEWS: The South African artist William Joseph Kentridge dominated this year’s top 10 contemporary African art sold at Africa Now.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

LONDON- Since the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair ended in London, the debate about the place of contemporary African art in the global art market continues to dominate art discussions. From available records, sales were encouraging at this year’s event that brought together local and international collectors.

Contemporary African Art

But even as the debate about contemporary African art sales and the role of international collectors continues, the focus remains on auction prices. One important parameter that is constantly coming up in the evolution of contemporary African art in the global market is the Bonhams Africa Now -Contemporary Africa Auction. The last sale was held in October.

The Bonhams Africa Now-Contemporary Africa Auction began with a celebrity party. The party brought together celebrity guests, curators, artists, and art professionals. Called Lagos Comes to London, the party featured important African art, music, and fashion. Nigerian sisters Cuppy and Temi Otedola organized the party, which happened during Frieze week.

Top 10 Contemporary African Art

Lagos Comes to London sets the mood for the Africa Now-Contemporary Africa Auction held at Bonhams Headquarters in New Bond Street, London. As expected, the art sale was a source of excitement in the heart of London. It brought together collectors from across the globe. At the auction were artworks by young and famous contemporary African artists. The list included Peju Alatise, Ghanaian artist El Anatsui, and South African artist William Kentridge, among many others.

All those hoping for African artists to set new auction records got their wishes. Unlike other years, works by Nigerian artists like Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, and others were not the top lots.  Dominating the sales were artworks by South African artist William Joseph Kentridge. His charcoal and pastel drawing, titled Reservoir, sold for £52,500 (US$ 65,577) including premium. Several of his other works achieved record auction prices.  This year’s Bonhams Africa Now -Contemporary Africa Auction presented what looks like a shift, albeit temporary, in the demand for artworks by Nigerian artists. 

Unlike other years, works by Nigerian artists like Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, and others were not the top lots.  Dominating the sales were artworks by South African artist William Joseph Kentridge.

Here are the Top 10 Contemporary African Art Auction Prices:

1. William Joseph Kentridge (South African, born 1955), Reservoir.
   Charcoal and pastel,107 x 171cm (42 1/8 x 67 5/16in). Sold for £52,500 (US$ 65,577) inc. premium2
2. Deborah Margaret Bell (South African, born 1957), Road to Damascus. Mixed media , 124 x 190cm (48 13/16 x 74 13/16in). Sold for £28,750 (US$ 35,911) inc. premium. Top 10 Contemporary African Art.
3. William Joseph Kentridge (South African, born 1955), Landscape without a Crowd, charcoal and chalk, 54.7 x 74cm (21 9/16 x 29 1/8in). Sold for £22,500 (US$ 28,104) inc. premium.
4. William Kentridge (South African, born 1955), ‘Sugar II’ charcoal and chalk on card, 78 x 150cm (30 11/16 x 59 1/16in). Sold for £18,750 (US$ 23,420) inc. premium
5. William Joseph Kentridge (South African, born 1955), Casspirs Full of Love. Etching, 147.5 x 80cm (58 1/16 x 31 1/2in). Sold for £13,937 (US$ 17,409) inc. premium
6. William Joseph Kentridge (South African, born 1955), Horse IV, bronze 34 x 36.5 x 22cm (13 3/8 x 14 3/8 x 8 11/16in). Sold for £12,500 (US$ 15,613) inc. premium
7. Aboudia Abdoulaye Diarrassouba (Ivorian, born 1983), ‘Globalisation’. Collage and oil paint on canvas, 119.5 x 169.5cm (47 1/16 x 66 3/4in). Sold for £11,875 (US$ 14,833) inc. premium
8. Chéri Samba (Democratic Republic of Congo, born 1956), Bras-Joue-Genoux Au Lit. Oil and glitter on canvas, 90 x 135cm (35 7/16 x 53 1/8in). Sold for £11,250 (US$ 14,052) inc. premium
9. Aboudia Abdoulaye Diarrassouba (Ivorian, born 1983), Untitled (2013). Collage and oil paint on canvas, 119 x 140cm (46 7/8 x 55 1/8in). Sold for £10,625 (US$ 13,271) inc. premium
10. Walter Oltmann (South African, born 1960), Larva Suit. Aluminium and steel wire,  202 x 137 x 48cm (79 1/2 x 53 15/16 x 18 7/8in). Sold for £8,750 (US$ 10,929) inc. premium.

Contemporary African Art at Auction

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