Collectors eye Africa’s rich seam of contemporary art
AT A time when values for some blue-chip contemporary artworks have fallen by a third from a year ago, collectors are finding pockets of strength in a surprising new art mecca — Africa.From the maze-like streets of Marrakesh to Cape Town’s harbour, Africa is sprouting new auction houses, biennials, art fairs and museums, including four new museums in SA alone.Gone are the days when Africa’s cultural output consisted of traditional tribal masks, woven baskets or carved figures; today’s rising art stars are exploring potent issues such as immigration, gay culture and China’s investment in the continent.What’s more, Africa’s artistic institutions are fuelled almost entirely by hometown support, resulting in self-sustaining art scenes that appear to be thriving whether or not the rest of the world pays attention."For years we didn’t have many galleries, but artists were still making work that was brave and experimental — and now everyone can see that," said Azu Nwagbogu, founder of Lago...
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