Olanase Elijah

The growing global interest in African contemporary art reflects a complex process of valuation that involves cultural legitimacy, institutional presence, and artistic integrity. Understanding its value requires seeing it not just as a market commodity, but as a cultural and political force.

Afro Renaissance, a collaborative exhibition by Afrikanizm Art and Face Studio, brought together a diverse group of contemporary African artists in Angola to explore the reimagining of African identity and heritage through bold, multidisciplinary works. Curated by Alexandra Martins, the exhibition was supported by a wide range of institutional partners and sponsors committed to cultural development on the continent.

From record-breaking auction sales to a surge in international exhibitions and institutional partnerships, the African art market is experiencing transformative growth. Driven by younger collectors, cross-continental collaborations, and strong diaspora engagement, African art is not only gaining visibility — it's reshaping the global art conversation.

Fidelidade Angola celebrates its expansion into 18 provinces through a meaningful partnership with contemporary artist Romulo de Santa Rita. His collection Mulheres Indígenas pays tribute to the strength and identity of Angola’s indigenous women, combining nostalgic aesthetics with a call for cultural justice and recognition.

On April 25, 2025, Binghamton University's African Student Organization held its annual fashion show Threads of the Motherland: Genesis de L’Afrique, celebrating Africa’s diverse heritage through fashion, music, and dance, with five thematic scenes highlighting the continent’s traditions and modern influence.

More than a series of portraits, Amadeo Carvalho’s exclusive collection In The Body, The Word – Voices That Become Image is a radical inscription of Black presence and history. Emerging from the series THE BLACKNESS IN ME STAINS II, these works fuse poetry, memory and resistance into powerful visual testimonies.