The Contemporary Art Market: Trends and Insights

According to the Artprice/Artmarket Report, the global contemporary art market has grown over 1,800% in volume since the year 2000. In 2024 alone:

• Sales volumes rose by 3%, with around 40.5 million artworks sold globally.
• The total global art market is estimated at $552 billion, with a projected annual growth of 6.15% CAGR until 2033.
• Online art sales are set to grow by 6.3% annually from 2025 to 2033.

While not all pieces experience the same trajectory, the data reflects a solid long-term appreciation for contemporary art — especially when supported by expert curation and market positioning.

The Rise of African and Black Contemporary Art

Works by ultra-contemporary African artists (born after 1974) grew 434% in auction value between 2019 and 2021 (Artnet Price Database).

Global visibility for African and diasporic artists is increasing, leading to a parallel rise in market interest and valuation.

Recent auctions have seen African artworks fetch significant prices, proving that this is not only a symbolic investment — it’s strategic.

A Real-World Example: Olawinka Olawale

To illustrate the potential value of resale, consider this actual case:

• A collector acquired a painting on Afrikanizm for €1,500.
• Just one year later, it was sold at auction for €18,000 — a 1,100% increase.

While such exceptional returns are rare, they show that with the right narrative, market visibility, and artist trajectory, art can appreciate well beyond its initial purchase.

How It Works

We’ve designed a 5-step resale system to support collectors with full transparency:

1. Submit your artwork: Email us with the artist’s name, year, certificate of authenticity, photos and measurements.
2. Curatorial review: Our team evaluates condition, provenance, and market history.
3. Consignment proposal: You’ll receive pricing guidance, commission structure, and positioning strategy.
4. Sale channels: Depending on the work, it will be promoted through exhibitions, private sales or our online platform.
5. Track everything: You’ll have full visibility on offers, negotiations, and sale progress.

What You Gain

• Liquidity: Convert your artwork into capital.
• Market participation: Join both the acquisition and resale journey.
• Visibility: Gain recognition as a collector of culturally and socially relevant pieces.
• Support: Our commercial and curatorial teams are with you every step of the way.

Risks to Consider

No market is without risk. Here’s what you should know:

• Market cycles can affect value depending on external economic or cultural factors.
• Limited data: Especially in emerging segments like African art, some market signals are harder to quantify.
• Illiquidity: Unlike stocks, art doesn’t always sell immediately.
• Fees: Commissions, preservation, and logistics costs may apply.
• Speculative hype: Rapid value surges can sometimes be hard to sustain.

This is why we’re focused on long-term, sustainable value, with professional guidance at every stage.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

We invite you to:

• Reassess your collection with our curatorial team.
• Submit works you may be ready to resell.
• Consider acquiring new works from emerging African artists — for cultural relevance, artistic quality, and long-term potential.
• Share this initiative with fellow collectors.

At Afrikanizm Art, we’re not just selling art — we’re creating value, telling stories, and building futures. Let’s move forward, together.