This year’s ArtReview Power 100 has seen a significant recognition of the influence of African curators, artists, and thinkers in reshaping global cultural narratives.
Figures such as Ibrahim Mahama, Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Gabi Ngcobo, and Azu Nwagbogu exemplify how art transcends borders, fosters dialogue, and amplifies underrepresented voices. Their work also underscores the critical role of cultural platforms in connecting diverse stories and challenging dominant perspectives worldwide.
The 2024 Power 100 list, featuring 33 influential figures from Africa, the diaspora, and the Gulf States, marks a pivotal shift in the global art narrative. This list is not just a catalogue of successful individuals; it also provides a structural framework for understanding the contemporary art world. It includes artists, curators, gallerists, funders, writers, as well as philosophers—each contributing to the broader discourse surrounding art. The list reflects the transformative role of art in society today, not merely as an expression of aesthetics but as a powerful tool for social change, challenging and rewriting historical narratives, and fostering new conversations.
The 2024 Power 100 also highlights a crucial moment in global power dynamics within the art world, featuring over 40 influencers from Africa, the diaspora, the Gulf States, and the Global South. Leading the list is Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation and the Sharjah Biennial.
The list also includes renowned artists, museum directors, gallerists, funders, patrons, and thinkers—Saidiya Hartman, Steve McQueen, Wael Shawski, Kerry James Marshall, John Akomfrah, Carrie Mae Weems, Achille Mbembe, Ibrahim Mahama, Koyo Kouoh, Sammy Baloji, Mark Bradford, and Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung—showcasing art’s role as a transformative force in society.
ArtReview’s approach to power in art goes beyond visible exhibitions and objects, examining the financial, political, and social networks that shape how art is presented, discussed, and also consumed.
The 2024 Power 100 list highlights the increasing role of curators and funders as the commercial market faces economic uncertainty. It further serves as a crucial barometer of influence, reminding us of art’s potential to drive cultural transformation amidst a shifting socio-political context. This list makes it clear that art remains a powerful force in challenging dominant narratives and redefining the future of contemporary culture.
