Serpentine Gallery opened ‘Suspended States,’ also marking the return of Yinka Shonibare CBE RA after over 20 years with his first solo exhibition in the London public institution. Shonibare, the founder of Y.S.F. and G.A.S., first showcased at Serpentine South in 1992 as a finalist in the Barclays…
Ibrahim Mahama’s new installation, Purple Hibiscus transforms the Lakeside Terrace of the Barbican Centre in London. The work wraps the building’s iconic concrete walls with around 2000 square meters of bespoke pink and purple fabric hand-woven by hundreds of Ghanaian artisans. The commission is part of an ongoing exhibition titled…
Spanish law enforcement recently apprehended an antique dealer involved in the illicit sale of a stolen Egyptian sculpture dating back to 1450 BCE. Authorities say a 3,500-year-old sculpture was falsely documented and put up for sale at the art fair. (Photo credits: Policia Nacional) Before the event, the…
The upcoming Venice Biennale promises a notable shift in representation. Unlike previous editions, this year’s 60th biennale will host 13 African countries. With countries like Nigeria and Morocco introducing emerging and established talents, newcomers from East Africa—Tanzania and Ethiopia—are set to make their mark on the international stage.…
New York’s esteemed Metropolitan Museum of Art is embarking on a transformative journey to present a more inclusive narrative to its vast audience, shifting its spotlight to the rich heritage of African artistry spanning over 3,000 years of cultural heritage. Max Hollein, CEO and Director of the Metropolitan…
Ugandan artist Kansiime Brian Lister tells stories that connect the past and present, one canvas at a time. Lister’s studio based in the capital city of Kampala is his refuge, a place where he develops and fine tweaks his ideas until the compositions are brought to life with…
The representation of black figures by artists today is a dynamic and constantly evolving concept. This has been shaped by various factors such as migration, industrialization, and the geographical dispersion of black communities worldwide. Whether residing in Africa or the diaspora, black individuals’ experiences differ. This differentiation underscores…
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Edna Dumas, Japanese actor Yuta Nakano, and German entrepreneur Lothar Eckstein have unveiled plans for space Un, a Tokyo-based platform dedicated to championing contemporary African art and also fostering cultural exchange between Japan and Africa. Scheduled to open on April 19th and 20th, 2024,…
The Venice Art Biennale 2024 promises a rich representation of contemporary African art, with various countries showcasing their unique cultural perspectives and creative talents. Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Uganda are among…
While I often find myself in a love-and-hate relationship with textile fabrics, perceiving them as redundant and repetitive at times, the works of Marcellina Akpojotor offer a refreshing perspective. They constitute a significant part of her ongoing research on generational legacies and the evolving nature of archives. Through…