Art News

Yana Barinova recently joined the viennacontemporary team as a Development Officer approaching the main statement this year: Ukraine. They discuss the importance of cultural heritage, Barinova's professional breakthroughs and the impact of war on the Ukrainian art and social sector.

Reshape is an annual, online survey exhibition that seeks to augment the visibility of contemporary, women-identifying artists in Africa.

Celebrating female artists has become commonplace, yet the reality most women face remains difficult. How are artists dealing with disparity and violence against their gender?

Lerato Nkosi’s entry for the ANNA Award features words inspired by her reading of Bell Hooks’ All About Love: “The book held special resonance for me because of its reference to the author’s upbringing, and the values that developed out of her experiences,” says Lerato.

Some African based collectors seem more interested in advancing art than their own taste, when they bring their works into the public realm. Others want to drum up the value and interest in the artists they support.

Forget about complimentary bubbles or embossed slippers. Top-notch hotel stays can be measured according to the quality of the art on the walls.

Attending Documenta is somewhat of a luxury for those based on the tip of the African continent. Particularly with plummeting local currencies and rising fuel costs almost doubling the cost of flights to Europe.

A generation of artists have been producing works in different mediums that draw inspiration from illustration. Some of the galleries that supported them have closed, but their works remain important and are highly collectible.

There is a perception that the current infatuation with portraiture is a market-driven phenomenon galvanised by white or Asian art collectors looking to profit from sharp rises in value. With this in mind, Latitudes examines whether the relationship between art and commerce can be beneficial to advancing a movement in art.

Aspire Art is honoured to present a carefully curated single-owner sale. The Present Future: A Private Collection of African & International Contemporary Art is set to impress and intrigue collectors this June.

More African galleries and artists are participating in this year’s edition of the Swiss fair. Given this art fair is considered the most important on the global art calendar, you would expect the continent’s top talent to be presented at it. Indeed Anatsui, Kentridge will be prominent but there are a few surprises.

The Africa Centre is opening new headquarters on the Southbank in London. The new building is set to contribute significantly to the growth of a new cultural hub.

New York played host to six art fairs and numerous auctions and exhibitions in May. African artists were at the periphery of the action. Should this be expected?

A landmark retrospective exhibition is set to take place this September. Azu Nwagbogu, Pippa Hetherington and Cathy Stanley will curate an exhibition of tapestries produced over two decades by the Keiskamma Art Project.

A well-known investor in the African tech startup space, Pule is a Founding Partner at CRE Venture Capital, and has invested in many successful startups across the continent, including Andela, Yoco and SweepSouth to name a few.

Covid-19 has forced curators of corporate collections to find new ways to keep the art in circulation. Read the article for more.

VOLTA New York takes place from 18-22 May, and both Out of Africa Gallery and Ethan Cohen Gallery will be at the Fair, presenting works from the continent. Be sure not to miss it!

While painting may be the medium du jour for African artists, photography offers collectors a unique opportunity to access the visual history of the continent.

Black female artists triumphed at the 59th Venice Biennale. This should have bode well for Africa’s artists, and expression, yet none of Africa’s pavilions were dedicated solely to a female artist. Art journalist, Mary Corrigall investigates.

As tempted as one may be to see every national pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale, the chances of covering the Arsenale, Giardini and fringe spaces are reasonably slim. Art advisor, Alexia Walker narrows it down for you.