In Nigeria, printmaking techniques have long been used, particularly in traditional artistic practices to achieve certain aesthetic goals. Blacksmithing, wood carving, ivory carving, calabash carving, Adire Eleko (starch resist dyeing techniques), and other ornamental arts share similarities to the printmaking processes of woodcut relief, intaglio, and serigraphic processes of printmaking.
From emerging to mid-career, here are seven African artists to watch out for in 2025.
Mathilde Mujanayi, Ahmed Khirelsid, and Lindokuhle Sobekwa are three contemporary photographers whose ongoing projects represent the time of great unrest in their home countries. These projects are personal reflections of the photographers’ realities in their countries of origin, as they record physical, emotional, and psychological tragedies relying on memory. Lindokuhle
In a typical African home, family photographs adorn the wall of the living room. These family portraits depict close family members and autobiographical accounts. It is a representation of the relationship between the current and past occupants of the home. From celebrating family members to preserving shared memories, documenting our
Musa Ganiyy is imitating everyday life, a sketch at a time, as he visually journals his personal experiences in his work. His works are visual documentation of human interaction with their environment. Through his use of varied artistic mediums, Ganiyy’s observations show how seemingly mundane issues can be linked to
Exploring African spirituality, communalism, and human connection, Kwaku Owusu is known for his use of hand sign language in his work. Kwaku Owusu (b. 1991) is an emerging artist based in Accra, Ghana. In a classic Surrealist manner, he explores the conscious and subconscious realms by presenting both physical and
In Cherry Aribisala’s paintings, Black subjects can simply be. Often portrayed in tender and intimate colors, the artist is familiar with her subjects like she is with the back of her own hand. Having perfected the use of bold colors and cheerful compositions, the ambiguous nature of Aribisala’s works centers
The 2024 Venice Biennale is still on! This year’s edition of the Venice Biennale marks the largest-ever participation by African countries in its 129-year history. Compared to the number of African national pavilions presented in 2022, which was only 9 in number, 13 African countries presented official National pavilions this
In the reimagination of the African identity, artists are creating new worlds that intertwine with history and the fantastical visions of the future. Afrofutrism is a way for artists to explore new ideas and philosophies using elements of art, science, philosophy, and mixed media to promote experimentation and collaboration across
Displaying a profound sense of rootedness and connectivity, Senegalese artist Aliou Diack is drawing up the multiple connections between his art and the earth. His practice invites viewers to ponder the subtle threads that bind humanity to the natural world and illuminates the profound symbiosis that defines our existence. Diack’s
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