Tag Archives: Contemporary African Art

Selected Works from the Sina Jina Collection

When the Heavens Meet the Earth – Selected Works from the Sina Jina Collection, The Heong Gallery, Downing College, Cambridge, until 21st May 2017

Installation image, When the Heavens Meet the Earth, 2017,
courtesy the artists and The Heong Gallery, Downing College, Cambridge, photo Perry Hastings

Downing College alumnus Robert Devereux is a well-known figure in the world of contemporary visual arts and in 2010 he disposed of works from his collection of post-war British art to help set-up The African Arts Trust (TAAT).  This is a body which helps to fund organisations which help create opportunities for artists in Africa – a continent that Devereux loves and feels a connection with.

Installation image, When the Heavens Meet the Earth, 2017,
courtesy the artists and The Heong Gallery, Downing College, Cambridge, photo Perry Hastings

He sums up his approach to collecting saying: ‘I have always bought what I loved and have always been led by what emotionally and visually stimulates me… I am uncomfortable with the notion of being a collector although that is probably what I am… It brings with it unattractive connotations of ownership, hoarding and possession. I like to think that my principal reason for buying has always been to support artists and, in some cases, gallerists.’

Aida Muluneh,
No. 7 from the 99 series, 2013,
Digital photograph, 100 x 100 cm,
copyright the artist, courtesy The Heong Gallery.

Opening Hours: Wednesdays 12pm-8pm · Fridays 12pm-5pm · Saturdays 10am-6pm · Sundays 12pm-5pm

www.heonggallery.com

Connecting Boundaries

Africa My Africa – Connecting Boundaries, Gallery of African Art (GAFRA), 45 Albemarle Street, London W1, until 3rd December 2016

Left-right top: Daniel Soresa (Memories, 2015) and Patrick Altes (Il Faut Cultiver Son Jardin, 2014). Bottom: Edward Akourt (Sometimes I Wonder, 2015) and Olayanju Dada (My beautiful Nightmare, 2016). Courtesy of the Gallery of African Art and Lahd Gallery

Left-right top: Daniel Soresa (Memories, 2015) and Patrick Altes (Il Faut Cultiver Son Jardin, 2014). Bottom: Edward Akourt (Sometimes I Wonder, 2015) and Olayanju Dada (My beautiful Nightmare, 2016).
Courtesy of the Gallery of African Art and Lahd Gallery

This is a joint exhibition between GAFRA and the Lahd Gallery, London and celebrates the work of four artists – Daniel Soresa (Ethiopia), Patrick Altes (Algeria), Olayanju Dada (Nigeria) and Edward Akrout (Tunisia). Although coming from very different backgrounds there is a unity in the works as each artist is telling the story of “their” Africa in these vibrant, colourful works.

Africa My Africa - Connecting Boundaries Courtesy of the Gallery of African Art and Lahd Gallery

Africa My Africa – Connecting Boundaries
Courtesy of the Gallery of African Art and Lahd Gallery

www.gafraart.com

www.lahdgallery.com  

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair & Malick Sidibé

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Somerset House, London WC2, 6th–9th October 2016

Dansez le Twist, 1965 (c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Dansez le Twist, 1965
(c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

This year’s fair features some forty leading specialist galleries drawn from eighteen counties with a total of over a hundred and thirty artists of African origin. One special feature is an exhibition of late Malian photographer Malick Sidibé (1935/6 – 2016) – he was not sure which year he was born in.

This is the first solo exhibition of his work and although being launched at the Fair it will continue as part of the Somerset House Winter Season.

Les Retrouvailles au bord du fleuve Niger, 1974 (c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Les Retrouvailles au bord du fleuve Niger, 1974
(c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Sidibé was the right man in the right place as he was in Mali’s capital Bamako at the time of the country’s independence and he very much caught the spirit of the place though his black -and-white imagery. There are forty-five original prints from the 60s and 70s on display and they are divided into three themed areas: ‘Au Fleuve Niger / Beside the Niger River’, ‘Tiep à Bamako / Nightlife in Bamako’, and ‘Le Studio / The Studio’.

Nuit du 31 Décembre, 1969 (c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Nuit du 31 Décembre, 1969
(c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Acknowledging Sidibé’s remark that “music freed us” the exhibition will have its own soundtrack which will recall not only the nightclubs where he took many of the images but also his own studio (Studio Malick) where “often it was like a party”. He was significantly the first African artist and photographer to be awarded a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2007.

Les jeunes bergers peulhs, 1972 (c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Les jeunes bergers peulhs, 1972
(c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

The exhibition Malick Sidibé: The Eye of Modern Mali continues until 15th January 2017.

 

1-54.com

www.somersethouse.org

A moi seul, 1978 (c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

A moi seul, 1978
(c) Malick Sidibé. Courtesy Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

Ozwald Boateng

Kamba Fine Art at Ozwald Boateng, 30 Savile Row, London W1, 20th November, 2014 – 5th January, 2015

Kofi Allen City on a shoestring, 2014, 60x40cm limited edition print Courtesy of Kamba Fine Art & copyright the artist

Kofi Allen
City on a shoestring, 2014, 60x40cm
limited edition print
Courtesy of Kamba Fine Art & copyright the artist

This rather special exhibition put together by Kamba Fine Art, who are based in Mayfair’s Grays Centre takes place at Ozwald Boateng’s iconic flagship store in London’s Savile Row.

Fittingly enough, given the location, this is a bespoke exhibition with unique pieces by artists such as the artist/photographer Ingrid Baars, painter and sculptor Dominique Zinkpe, noted photographer Jean-Baptiste Sevette and Babajide Olatunji , a gifted creator of highly detailed works.

Ingrid Baars Rose-Mary, 2012 C-Print on dibond 120 x 120 cm Courtesy of Kamba Fine Art & copyright the artist

Ingrid Baars
Rose-Mary, 2012
C-Print on dibond
120 x 120 cm
Courtesy of Kamba Fine Art & copyright the artist

Commenting on the exhibition Ozwald Boateng says:  “African culture is key to the future of the world, and I look forward to celebrating artists of African descent within my space.” Definitely one to go and see.

www.kambagallery.com

ozwaldboateng.co.uk

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, until 20th October (Frieze Week 1)

Dear Readers, as many of you are aware Frieze and Frieze Masters take place in London this week.  Over the next few days I will endeavour to bring to your attention some of the other events taking place over the week.

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Somerset House, London, 16 – 20 October 2013

 The name of the fair comes from the 54 different nations that inhabit Africa.  Works of all types of media will be shown by 15 galleries from a variety of places, including Abidjan, Kenya, Benin, Nigeria, London, Seattle and Berlin.  The fair strongly emphasises the growing interest worldwide in this exciting, colourful art scene and suggests that now is the time to start collecting these works.

Cameron Platter Joy, 2013 Pencil crayon on paper 235cm x 181cm www.jackbellgallery.com

Cameron Platter
Joy, 2013
Pencil crayon on paper
235cm x 181cm
http://www.jackbellgallery.com

Fair founder Touria El Glaoui, says: “The interest in the inaugural year for 1:54 has been tremendous and we are thrilled to have the support from so many individuals and organisations. 1:54 will offer visitors the chance to experience and engage with contemporary art from Africa and the African Diaspora like never before.”

'Resurrection: The Fire Next Time - Untitled II', 2013, Gor Soudan Made from 'Protest Wire' which is made of the remnants of burnt car tyres after the protests following the last General Election in Kenya.

‘Resurrection: The Fire Next Time – Untitled II’, 2013, Gor Soudan
Made from ‘Protest Wire’ which is made of the remnants of burnt car tyres after the protests following the last General Election in Kenya.

Ticketing information:

Adult tickets are £12 per day
A five day ticket costs: £25
Child under 10 years (accompanied by an adult): £5
Student: £5
Tickets can be bought from ticketmaster.com at: http://tinyurl.com/om62thk
(Online purchases may be subject to an additional online booking fee)

The artist Gor Soudan collecting what he calls 'Protest Wire' - remnants of burnt car tyres after the protests following the last General Election in Kenya. WWW.ARTLABAFRICA .COM

The artist Gor Soudan collecting ‘Protest Wire’.
WWW.ARTLABAFRICA .COM

Opening Times: 10:00 – 18:00

Wednesday 16 October
Thursday 17 October
Friday 18 October
Saturday 19 October
Sunday 20 October

All images are copyright