Contemporary African Art

Contemporary African Art has been showcased in recent years by numerous large institutions, museums and foundations around the world. Artists are enjoying increasing and sustained international recognition, as demonstrated by the numerous specialist trade fairs that have sprung up in Africa, Europe and the United States.

Artcurial blazed a trail as early as 2010, in Paris, when it held its first sale dedicated to Contemporary African Art, with 65 artists representing 24 nationalities.

In 2017, the house decided to hold, at one of its twin-site sales, Paris#Marrakech, African Spirit, focusing on Contemporary African Art. Taking place in Marrakech, it benefited from the dynamism of the Red City, which is attracting growing numbers of collectors from Morocco, Europe, America and the Middle East. A new edition was held in 2018, enabling the department to set, in the space of two years, no fewer than 12 world records for artists such as Bodys Isek Kingelez, Malick Sidibé, Omar Victor Diop, Abdoulaye Konaté and Seydou Keïta.

A genuine cultural hub in Africa, Morocco is now an essential place for promoting and developing the African scene. Artcurial holds two sales there every year, with the aim of presenting high-quality works by established artists and by fresh talent.

With the recent arrival of Christophe Person at the head of the department, resolutely committed to the promotion and enhancement of creation in Africa, the team of specialists aims to make a growing number of collectors aware of the richness and diversity of modern and contemporary artistic creation in Africa and the Diaspora.