Frieze London is a landmark event for the global art world, and this year is no exception. While the sheer volume of galleries and artists can be daunting, a vibrant scene of African and Afro-diasporic art is flourishing at both Frieze London and Frieze Masters.
Frieze London boasts an impressive 160 galleries from 43 countries, with a strong showing from Africa. Established names like Goodman Gallery (founded in Johannesburg in 1966) and the dynamic Selebe Yoon (founded in Dakar just four years ago) showcase the diversity of the African art scene.
Goodman Gallery with a presence in South Africa, London, and New York presents works by Atta Kwami and Ravelle Pillay, while Selebe Yoon offers a thought-provoking solo presentation by Senegalese artist Hamedine Kane, exploring the lives of exiled Black American writers such as Richard Wright, Chester Himes, and James Baldwin, who were exiled in Paris during the 1940s.
Other galleries with a presence in both Africa and Europe, like Selma Feriani (Tunis and London) and Tiwani Contemporary (Lagos and London), demonstrate the growing interconnectedness of the art world. Tiwani offers a comprehensive overview of their artists, encompassing new works by Rita Alaoui, Virginia Chihota, and established figures like William Kentridge.
Artist-to-Artist: Building Connections
The Artist-to-Artist program fosters compelling dialogues between established and emerging voices. British painter Hurvin Anderson, with Jamaican ancestry, nominated the powerful figurative works of Nigerian artist Peter Uka for Marianne Ibrahim's solo booth. Uka's paintings capture the vibrancy of his 1970s Nigerian childhood, celebrating the nation's post-independence spirit. Selma Feriani also participates in the Frieze London's Artist-to-Artist initiative, presenting the delicate works of Algerian-born Massinissa Selmani, exploring themes of movement and territory. His body of work underscores the gallery’s commitment to highlighting complex historical narratives through contemporary African lenses.Additionally, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA nominated Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku, whose intriguing figurative paintings on sanyan, a traditional Yoruba fabric, will be presented by Pippy Houldsworth Gallery.
Beyond the Contemporary: Highlighting Modern Masters
While Frieze Masters has historically had a more Eurocentric focus, change is afoot, as the historical significance of African modernism is also being recognized.
Lagos-based gallery Kó brings the work of Nigerian painter Jimoh Akolo into focus. Akolo, a founding member of the Zaria Art Society, was instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s post-colonial art scene in the 1960s. His geometric paintings, which incorporate designs inspired by Hausa architecture, serve as a testament to the depth and richness of African art history.
The recognition of artists like Akolo, alongside historical figures such as South Africa’s Irma Stern and Senegal’s Issa Samb, represents a shift in how African art is perceived and valued internationally. Frieze Masters, once slow to embrace African modernism, is now offering these pioneering artists their rightful place in the broader art historical narrative.
The presence of African galleries and artists at such events signals a broader trend: the increasing global demand for art from the continent. Over the past decade, African contemporary and Modern art have seen a dramatic rise in interest from collectors, curators, and institutions. This shift is not just about market value but also about challenging outdated narratives around African art. No longer seen as peripheral, African artists are now central to discussions on identity, decolonization, and global modernism.
In many ways, the journey to London for these artists and galleries is a symbolic one—marking a crossing of borders, both physical and cultural. As more African voices are heard and seen on the global stage, events like Frieze offer a powerful platform to celebrate and support the flourishing of African art in all its diversity.
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