Mulami Mushidimuka (The modern shepherd), a C-print photograph by Maurice Mbikayi, one of the young African artists at the 1: 54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York. Image: Officine dell’Immagine

Talented young African artists are on the rise at art fairs and auction houses across the globe. From 1: 54 Contemporary African Art Fair to Bonhams Africa Now Auction and Sotheby’s, these artists are making a significant impact on the global art scene, proving they are ready to take over from the older generation. Here are eight young African artists on the rise you should know about. 

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

Babajide Olatunji: Born in 1989 in Okitipupa, Nigeria. Lives and works in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

NEW YORK, NY- In the past few years, there has been a particular focus on the older generation of contemporary African artists.  From El Anatsui to Ablade Glover, William Kentridge, Bruce Onobrakpeya,  Ibrahim, and many others, exhibitions and auctions have devoted greater attention to the dead and older generation of artists. The focus on the older generation of African artists, in particular, is not surprising.  Their works command bigger auction prices when they come up at auctions. For example, works by Ben Enwonwu (Nigeria), Anton van Wouw (South Africa), Yusuf Grillo (Nigeria), and Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa),  have fetched high prices at Bonhams auctions.

Young African Artists on the Rise

But while the older generation of artists continues to hold sway in the global art market and fairs, young African artists are beginning to take their position in the scheme of things. The last 1: 54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York is a clear indicator of this fact.  Many of the artists at the fair were young and enterprising. They were born in the early ’70s and early ’80s.  Their works ranged from paintings to sculptures to mixed media works. While some are innovative, others are daring. These artists use their work to address issues of race, national identity, gender, war, and public health, among many others.

Emerging Global Art Trend

The large presence of young African artists at 1: 54 Contemporary follows a new trend emerging in the global art environment. The trend started about a decade ago when artists from Africa began inserting their work into the global art space. Using technology like the internet, they were able to get their works in front of Western collectors and audiences. Eventually, interest grew with demands from collectors determined to compete for works by African artists.

It was not long before art fairs across the globe began giving prominence to works by these artists. In addition to art fairs, art auction houses also began vigorously competing to entice old and young contemporary African artists. Bonhams auction house is one of them. For almost a decade, the auction house has focused on the works of African artists through its Africa Now Auction. In 2015, the auction house resurrected Africa Now Auction after several years on the shelves.

Aware of the change and an increase in demand for works by African artists, Bonhams knew it had to refocus its attention. Consequently, the auction house included a section named African Modern and Contemporary Art, to make the auction expansive and reach more collectors. Since the change, works by young contemporary artists have been featuring prominently at Bonhams auctions. In fact, several auctions have been devoted to specific countries like, South Africa.  

Bonhams Vs Sotheby’s

Bonham’s success in auctioning African Modern and Contemporary Art forced other auction houses to pay attention to artists from Africa. In 2017, Sotheby’s took on Bonhams to auction works by contemporary African artists. Although Sotheby’s didn’t win its battle on this first outing, it has become a fierce competitor.  Due to the auction house’s competitiveness, the auction house is encouraging more African artists to sell their works in Sotheby’s online auction or at the auction house. With the take on Bonhams, Sotheby’s has now planted a flag as one of the top auction houses, setting the works of young contemporary African artists. The auction house also intends to have constant collaborations, exhibitions, and auction shows, in furtherance of its new focus on African art.

Christie’s auction house has also joined other art institutions and organizations in bringing attention to the works of young contemporary African artists at auction.

Future of Talented Young African Artists

The future of talented young African artists is bright. The ones at this year’s 1: 54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York showed why the future belongs to them.  Many of them will also be part of Sotheby’s inaugural auction of modern and contemporary African art.  

8 Talented Young African Artists On the Rise:

Cheikhou Bâ: Born in 1971, in Dakar, Senegal. Lives and works in Dakar

Armand Boua: Born in 1978 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Lives and works in Abidjan

Mohau Modisakeng: Born in 1986 in Soweto, South Africa. Lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa

Victor Ehikhamenor: Born in 1970 in Udomi-Uwessan, Edo State, Nigeria. Lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria, and Maryland.

Peju  Alatise:  Born 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria. Lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria

Amoako Boafo: Born in Accra, Ghana.  Now lives and works in Austria, Vienna

Patrick Bongoy: Born in 1980 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Lives and works in Cape Town and South Africa.

Kyle-Weeks: Born in 1992 in Windhoek, Namibia. Lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Above is an image by  Maurice Mbikayi. Born in 1974, in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa

These talented young African artists are gradually taking over from the older generation of African artists. What do you think about their work? Join the art conversation: Share your thoughts and comments. Facebook– Twitter–Instagram