As the official media partner to Art X Lagos, the leading art fair in West Africa, which just concluded, team Art News Africa (ANA) was all over the show.
We were impressed by the female artist representation at the event – and want to highlight 5 women artists and their works that specifically stood out to us
1. Lulama “Wolf” Mlbamo
Represented by THK Gallery, Wolf (b. 1995) was also a guest panelist during the fair. She says:
“I don’t create when I’m sad, because I think it defeats the purpose of exploring joy from a really true place.”
Wolf was born and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She studied fine art and fashion at the University of Johannesburg (2013). She is inspired by Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi (b. 1943) and Ernest Mancoba (1904 – 2002).
You can follow Wolf’s journey on her Instagram account.
2. Mofoluso Eludire
Eludire (b. 1997), is from Lagos, Nigeria and Bloom Art Lagos represented the artist. She studied Fine and Applied Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Elude’s work is inspired by emotions, experience and the human body, specifically women.
“I’m inspired by the human form and the emotions derived from my introspection of life experiences, including stories about women ”.
You can follow Eludire’s journey on her Instagram account.
3. Nonzuzo Gxkewa
THK Gallery also represented a self-taught artist based in Johannesburg, Gxkewa (b. 1981). Her approach to photography favors every day over the spectacular; sharing intimate moments by focusing the camera on what is around her as well as on herself. Whether photographing in the street or in the studio, her work explores the human condition in subtle and beautiful ways.
You can follow Gxkewa’s journey on her Instagram account.
4. Leila Fanner
Raised in South Africa, Fanner (b. 1970) still works out of the country in Riebeek Kastel near Cape Town. Represented by Galerie Carole Kvasnevski, Fanner’s work is inspired by her spiritual journey and personal dream symbols. Depicting dream-like natural settings for her silhouetted female figures, she explores her personal relationship with the material realm through a metaphysical and spiritual lens.
You can follow Fanner’s journey on her Instagram account.
5. Angèle Etoundi Essamba
Based in Amsterdam and born in Cameroon, Essamba (b. 1962) is a photographer. Escambia was represented by SMO Contemporary art. Women constitute the main subject of her artistic expression. Escambia’s work lies at the intersection of the social/gender and the artistic field. She uses her photography to bring her message across in a creative way. Her varied background and various travels and exhibitions have not only profoundly shaped her eye, but also made her outlook to be equally aesthetic, idealistic, realistic, and societal. Therefore, she joins the spirit of humanistic photography with a strong attachment to the values of communion.
You can follow Essamba’s journey on her Instagram account.
