Art and politics have a longstanding complex relationship. Art can compliment politics by helping push certain contemporary political ideologies. Art also has the power to show an imbalance in politics. Both influence people’s opinions about their political situation. These artists use art for political commentary showing that the…
Image courtesy of Latitudes Thero Makepe is a photographer and artist who was born and raised in Gaborone, Botswana. He currently splits his time between Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Gaborone. Makepe’s work is influenced by historical and contemporary themes about his background and life in South Africa and…
These are 5 African art residencies you should know about if you are looking to unlock a new level in your art career: Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative – Rural Mpumalanga, South Africa The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) was founded in 1995 with its main goal being to…
Eleven Namibian artists will from 9 March showcase their artwork at the Arts Association for Visual Arts gallery in Cape Town, South Africa. Instagram Jo Rogge Titled ‘unmourned bodies’, this landmark exhibition pays homage to the historical links between the Namibian Arts Association (NAA) and the Arts Association…
Abul Oyay Deng Ajak is an artist, a painter, and curator. She was born in Ethiopia in 1986 but later moved to South Sudan because of war. When she left Ethiopia it was to stay with her paternal family in Malakal, South Sudan. This is where she got…
Kim Karabo Makin was born in Gaborone, Botswana. She is a multidisciplinary artist, radio DJ/host, and Master of Fine Art graduate from the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town. Makin’s work is based on a lived experience of multiculturalism and displacement, and the role context…
History has been regarded a man’s territory, from the people being written about to the people writing the books. Gladys Kalichini speaks on erased women in history specifically in former Rhodesia and uses her art and research to challenge this erasure. Image courtesy of C Fonds Gladys Kalichini…
Image courtesy of Ibrahim Mahama Ibrahim Mahama, a Ghanaian artist born in 1987, is well-known for his expansive works. He was born in the town of Tamale in the northern part of Ghana. He splits his time between Tamale, Ghana, and Accra, the nation’s capital. He studied painting…
Julie Bridgham photo, courtesy MacDowell On February 24, MacDowell, one of the oldest and most distinguished artist residence programs in the United State, announced the selection of Chiwoniso Kaitano as its new executive director. Kaitano, who was born in Zimbabwe, previously served as the Girl Be Heard executive…
While making visual arts digital, artists must take into account a number of factors. These visual artists use highly computational hardware in order to achieve the best digital file possible. The two artists listed below have succeeded in doing that with their work. Joseph Baraka, Kenya Image courtesy…
Tumisang Khalipha is a visual artist and printmaker who was born in a rural village in the North West of South Africa called Mahikeng. He later moved in 2003 with his family to Johannesburg, South Africa. Despite the common disapproval of unconventional career paths in African communities, Khalipha…
The difference between art and design can be said to be that art is personal while design is commercial. This means art is about the artist releasing their feelings visually, while design is saying “this is what is fashionable and this is how we can make money from…
It is not easy to forget the artists who set out to change the world and provide a place for voices to be heard. Today, we see David Koloane’s lifestyle and art till his death. Image courtesy of Goodman Gallery David Koloane (b. 1938) was born in the…
Artists are inspired by different things. These artists are inspired by African heritage. They incorporate traditional music and indigenous patterns in their paintings and fashion. Cameroonian painter Angu Walters explores how music inspires him in his painting. Knitwear fashion designer Laduma Ngxokolo is featured for drawing his inspiration…
Through the use of uplifting, thought-provoking, and forward-thinking imagery and narratives, Osadebe’s vibrant post-pop style seeks to reimagine Africa. To create a dialogue where custom meets invention and innovation. Dennis Osadebe places Africa in the context of the future. Its limitless possibilities by contrasting aspects from the past…
Congolese painter Zemba Luzamba has created a series of art pieces that explore how animals are represented in fables and totems. As well as their role as sacred symbols of cultural heritage that represent a collective identity. Through the use of figurative elements, fashion motifs, and colors, these…
Pottery is the process of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. Contemporary African pottery is eloquence in form as well as finesse in the finish – both of which are not generally…
The rise of NFT art has been a game-changer in the contemporary art scene. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets that represent ownership of a unique piece of artwork, and they have enabled artists to sell their work for millions of dollars in a matter of seconds. While…
A solo exhibition by one of the finest African artists, Ludovic Fadairo, is scheduled to run from March 4 to April 2, 2023, at the Ikoyi-based Soto Gallery. Image courtesy of Soto Gallery The exhibition, What We Don’t See, examines the long and accomplished career of the Beninese…
The term “multi-hyphenate” originated in the 1970s and was mostly used in Hollywood to refer to creatives who fell outside the traditional notion of a “triple threat” of singing, dancing, and acting. A multi-hyphenate is a person with several professions or skills so a multi-hyphenate artist is one who…