Thó Simões

African artists are achieving record-breaking sales at auctions and gaining institutional recognition. Yet at major global art fairs, representation remains disproportionately low. This article explores the structural reasons behind the visibility gap—and what must change.

Across Africa and its diaspora, artists are transforming the archive into a site of resistance. By reconstructing erased histories and challenging colonial records, they are turning memory into power—and art into a political act.

African art is reaching unprecedented prices at global auctions, but behind the headlines lies a more complex reality. This article examines who truly benefits when African artworks sell for millions—and whether these moments translate into long-term value for artists, communities, and the continent itself.

Across Africa, artists are transforming visual culture into a language of resistance. From street art born in protest to museum works that archive erased histories, this article explores how African art speaks through protest, memory, and power—and why it matters now more than ever.

In the conversation around African contemporary art, artists and curators often take centre stage. But behind the scenes, a quieter force is steadily reshaping the landscape: Black collectors. No longer passive observers or late-stage buyers, they are influencing markets, museums, and the very narratives that define what—and who—is considered valuable in the art world.

In 2026, African contemporary artists are no longer peripheral voices: they’re shaping global artistic narratives, innovating new forms, and commanding institutional, market, and critical attention. From market giants to digital pioneers, these creators are proving that African art isn’t emerging — it’s leading.

As institutions worldwide confront their colonial legacies, African curators are emerging as pivotal voices in reshaping museum narratives. Their presence is not symbolic—it is structural. This article explores why curators from Africa and its diasporas are vital to rethinking ownership, representation and the future of global culture.

African culture and contemporary art are no longer peripheral. From Nigeria’s bustling Lagos scene to Angola’s growing creative infrastructure, several countries on the continent — together with regional and international partners — are investing in culture as a strategic economic and diplomatic asset. This article explores where this cultural momentum is concentrated and why it matters for artists, collectors and creative economies in 2026.