The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art has unveiled a dynamic new leadership team, appointing John K. Lapiana as director after 18 months as interim leader and welcoming Heran Sereke-Brhanas as deputy director to chart an inspiring path forward. These appointments signal stability after years of significant leadership…
The art world has long been dominated by the idea of owning a piece of art. With the rise of the sharing economy and changing consumer behavior, art rental is becoming an increasingly attractive option for collectors. But what are the benefits and drawbacks of renting art versus…
Can anybody be an artist? This philosophical question has sparked debates among art enthusiasts and critics for centuries. Raising questions about the nature of artistic essence and relationship to creativity, skill, and intention. Both of these approaches, though vastly different in execution and ideology, wrestle with what constitutes…
As the global art world increasingly recognizes African contemporary art, Art Basel Miami Beach provides a critical platform for African artists to share their stories. This fair’s latest edition from the 6th to 8th of December, 2024 featured an impressive lineup of African artists, represented by various galleries.…
Hospital Rooms, the pioneering arts and mental health charity, is delighted to announce an exclusive collaboration with renowned Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku and her charity, The Art of Healing (TAOH). Together, they unveil Swing Low (2024), a special limited-edition fundraising artwork, with proceeds supporting groundbreaking arts and mental…
Sotheby’s lays off staff members from its offices in New York, with the majority of cuts including back-office workers, junior staffers as well as specialists in various departments. A Sotheby’s spokesperson said, “Given the challenges the market has faced this year, we’ve taken a careful look at our…
The handover of Maasai heirlooms at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum has reignited debate about colonial appropriation and restitution. In a ceremony blending tradition and reconciliation, representatives presented the artifacts, taken over a century ago, to the Maasai. Maasai representatives at the museum (Photo credits: Ian Wallman) The heirlooms—key…
South African Decor and Design is the theme at Southern Guild’s curated showcase return to Design Miami this December. Running from the 3rd until the 8th of December 2024 at Convention Centre Drive and 19th Street, Miami Beach. Southern Guild is exhibiting in booth G28. This new show features…
Nigerian contemporary artist Osa Seven unveiled his groundbreaking exhibition, 1897: An Urban Contemporary Representation of Historic Benin Art, at the Muhcab Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture. Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and Osa Seven (Image courtesy: Artist) The exhibition commemorated the 1897…
Wycliffe Mundopa and Southern Guild Gallery present ‘Mbare Opera’, a collection of major works produced over the past several years, articulating the spectrum of Mundopa’s prolific visual vocabulary. Focusing on the symbolic value of images and their contextual references to the sub-culture of Harare’s notorious high-density neighbourhood, Mbare,…