Each December, Art Basel Miami Beach attracts the international art community for a vibrant display of modern and contemporary art, celebrating creativity from around the world. Art Basel Miami Beach has been a key event in the global art scene, highlighting famous contemporary artists, galleries, and cultural movements. Art Basel first started in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland, with the goal of bringing together galleries, collectors, and artists in a vibrant creative environment.
In 2002 Art Basel Miami was born! The event has attracted over 80,000 visitors each year, including art dealers, artists, collectors, and art lovers. This year's event took place from December 6 to 8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. As it celebrates its 21st year, the fair features a record 286 galleries from 38 countries. Art Basel Miami Beach includes traditional gallery displays, themed exhibits, solo showcases, large installations, performances, and more, providing a space for both well-known artists and emerging talents to address important issues such as climate change, technology, gender, identity, and the sharing of their ancestral knowledge and heritage.
(Photo Courtesy of Art Basel)
This year, we could not help but notice the growing number of African artist representation at Art Basel Miami which came from the help of Afriart Gallery from Uganda. Afriart Gallery (AAG) was founded in 2002 by artist Daudi Karungi in Kampala and has emerged as a leading contemporary art gallery that highlights the work of African artists. The gallery focuses on original artistic expression and fosters public engagement. It serves as a venue where collectors can explore impactful contemporary art and engage in meaningful conversations. Now, for the third year in a row, Daudi Karungi has brought African artists to the center stage at Art Basel Miami.
(Photo Courtesy of Afriart Gallery)
This year, Afriart collaborated with Rele Gallery to showcase their phenomenal portfolio of artists that are leading the African art scene. The Rele Gallery was established in 2015 by Adenrele Sonariwo in Lagos, Nigeria and continues to be a dynamic gallery that works with contemporary emerging and established artists that work with different mediums from Africa. The gallery boasts locations in Lagos, London and L.A making it one of the most notable art galleries in the world.
(Photo Courtesy of Rele Art Gallery)
Fresh from Art Basel Miami here are the African artists that stole the show:
(Photo Courtesy of Afriart Gallery. Piece by Fiker Solomon titled Freedom and Growth III)
Fiker Solomon, born in 1995 in Ethiopia, dives into the ways our emotions and needs shift with the seasons. She focuses on the essential bond we share with nature and uses natural and biodegradable materials in her work. Her choice of medium shows her commitment to the environment and showcases the distinctive characteristics of these materials. For Solomon, the act of working with textiles carries profound significance. She inherited this craft from her mother, who was known for her exquisite embroidery, and Solomon has since evolved this traditional skill into something that goes beyond mere decoration and functionality. Her love for preserving her rich heritage is another form of sustainability that we cannot help but admire.
(Photo Courtesy of Afriart Gallery. Piece by Richard Atugonza titled Brothers)
Richard Atugonza, who was born in 1994 in Uganda, creates art using materials such as sawdust, charcoal dust, and dried grass. His work intertwines these materials with themes that foster a connection between people and their environment. He explores human experiences and our profound ties to nature. By drawing inspiration from his own life and the stories of his models, he crafts sculptures that evoke strong emotions and resonate with viewers.
(Photo Courtesy of Afriart Gallery. Piece by Sanaa Gateja titled Oasis Ponds)
Sanaa Gateja, born in 1947 in Uganda, is a prominent mixed-media artist and jewelry designer celebrated for his innovative use of recycled materials. He skillfully incorporates bark cloth, paper, raffia, wood, and banana fiber into his work. His creations vary from medium to large abstract pieces, blending elements of installation, tapestry, and sculpture. By allowing each material to convey its own voice, he weaves together abstract narratives that address social and political themes in Uganda.
(Photo Courtesy of Rele ArtGallery. Piece by Sedireng Mothibatsela titled Ethiopia Gold)
Sedireng Mothibatsela, born in 1977 in Botswana, explores themes of identity and emotional experiences through a minimalist and abstract lens. Her artwork delves into how personal challenges influence our visual expressions. Mothibatsela focuses on the effects of concealed emotions and vulnerability within cultural contexts. Her art is profoundly personal, tackling ideas of identity and belonging as she strives to gain a deeper understanding of herself through her history and emotional ties.
(Photo Courtesy of Rele ArtGallery)
Peju Alatise, born in 1975 in Lagos, is an artist who splits her time between Lagos, Nigeria, and Glasgow, UK. She engages in various fields, including art, architecture, and writing. Alatise studied architecture at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Nigeria and also ran a private art studio while pursuing her studies. Her body of work encompasses paintings, films, installations, and sculptures, demonstrating a diverse array of techniques and materials. Additionally, she has authored two novels.
(Photo Courtesy of Rele ArtGallery. Piece by Yoma Emore titled Children of the Soil)
Yoma Emore, who was born in 1997 in Nigeria, is a textile artist known for using fabric to convey stories. Her artwork frequently draws inspiration from historical records as well as her personal life experiences. She seeks to reinterpret past narratives and examine their impact on the present.
Yoma started her education as a painter at the University of Worcester, where she achieved a first-class degree in Art & Design, Media & Cultural Studies. Throughout her studies, she cultivated her distinctive visual style and engaged with painting, printmaking, and textiles. Her projects revolve around themes such as post-colonialism, material culture, and the relationship between text and images.
It is safe to say that these artists are breaking the mold and paving a new path in the art world. They use innovative approaches that reflect their unique styles while emphasizing significant themes connected to their communities. Every material selected carries significance, symbolizing a commitment to the environment, the value of tradition, and social responsibility. By utilizing locally sourced materials, they demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and pay tribute to the vibrant cultural heritage of each artist. At ADJOAA we admire the committed team at Afriart Gallery and Rele Gallery that strive to support artists by creating mentorship opportunities, enhancing their visibility, and preserving vital information to aid their development and show the world how vibrant and provoking the Art scene in Africa.
(Header photo by Artist Peju Alatise)
Leave a comment