There is no gainsaying that African women have contributed significantly to the development and appreciation of African art. Historically, African women participated in their rich cultural art heritage as artists, scholars, patrons, and entrepreneurs. This continued into the contemporary era, with increasing traction for women’s works made possible by the efforts of inspiring artists of our time.
This piece sheds the spotlight on 7 of these women from various countries in the African continent.
Born and raised in Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria, Njideka is a visual artist who launched her career after she moved to the United States in the late 1990s. Her art technique is a unique cultural hybrid of her Nigerian origins and her exposure to the Western world. Njideka’s work has garnered acclaim across North America and Europe, following the exhibitions of her work in prestigious museums in Los Angeles, New York, and London.
Kenyan-born Wangechi is blazing the trails of African contemporary art with her captivating pieces. Famed for her defiant collages that sample the ideals of femininity, sexuality, politics, gender, and race issues, Wangechi’s works aim to inspire thought provoking conversations about sensitive topics. Her work has been exhibited at galleries and museums worldwide.
Sokari Douglas Camp is a London-based artist of Nigerian descent. She addresses sociopolitical issues and topics regarding history of the African diaspora through her practice of creating welded steel sculptures. Sonkari received the honorary title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire and has participated in exhibitions by various notable galleries and museums.
Ivorian artist Joana Choumali is well known for showcasing everyday life in Africa through her intricate blend of documentary photography with colours and textured materials. She uses materials such as image cutouts, fabric swatches, as well as stitchwork in her practice to celebrate and reimagine the cultures around her. Earlier in her life before turning her focus to fine arts, Choumali worked as an art director in advertising. She is the first African to win the prestigious Prix Pictet photography prize and her work has been exhibited across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
Toyin OjihOdutola is a Nigerian-American visual artist appreciated for her detailed multimedia drawings on paper. Her style, a peculiar blend of complex markings and lavish compositions is evocative of the traditional style of portraiture and storytelling. Ojih Odutola’s practice focuses on themes of socio-economic inequality, colonialism, as well as the subject of blackness, queerness and gender theory. She has participated in group shows and has been shown in several museum exhibitions.
For decades, Zanele Muholi, a non-binary South African visual artist has centered their practice around topics of race, gender, sexuality and the celebration of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, transgender, and intersex communities. Muholi works with mediums such as photography, video, and installation to create their works. Muholi has won several awards and has also been shown in several major galleries.
Nigerian artist Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye is best known for her cloth work and embroidery pieces. She learned the traditional craft of batik and adire through methods practiced by women in her family for generations. Although she had no formal education due to poverty, Nike has gone on to educate generations of artists. She is the founder and director of four art centers that offer free training to young artists in visual, musical and performing arts.
