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Tag: Contemporary art

Exploring Familial Histories in African Art

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

Arewa?: An Exhibition on Northern Nigeria Art 

Aisha Aliyu-Bima’s mission is to present a tour of Northern Nigeria in Arewa?, an exhibition exploring the contemporary art and practice of artists from Nigeria’s northern region. This exhibition challenges the underrepresentation of Northern Nigerian artists in the Nigerian art scene and beyond.  “This underrepresentation and lack of visibility has

A Sketch At A Time: In Conversation with Musa Ganiyy

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

In-Between Ashes: In Conversation with Kwaku Owusu

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

Cherry Aribisala: Dreamscapes of Black Portraits

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

Recap: Venice Biennale 2024

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

How to Create a Professional Portfolio for Emerging Artists & Curators

A professional portfolio, as described by Sotheby’s, is a curated collection of work that displays the skills, knowledge, and growth in the practice of an artist or curator over time.  A well-curated portfolio is an important tool for many art professionals, from artists to art writers, art curators, gallery managers,

4 Afrofuturist Artists To Meet

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

The Interconnectedness of Nature in Aliou Diack’s New Work at space Un in Japan

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

Sabo Kpade is Bringing Compelling Curatorial Ideas to Full Flowering in the African Art Scene

Focusing on Black diaspora art, Sabo Kpade is pushing the boundaries of contemporary art by creating immersive experiences that challenge traditional boundaries and start thought-provoking conversations. Inspired by Okwui Enwezor’s work as a thinker and curator, Kpade’s multifaceted approach in his curatorial practice is rooted in collaboration and intellectual inquiry.