African Women Take the Lead in Art Sales, Defying Market Downturn

For the first time in art market history, female African artists collectively surpassed their male counterparts in auction sales in 2023—a development initially dismissed as an anomaly. Yet, the trend persisted into 2024, with women artists securing a commanding 52.8% share of total African art sales.

Mumbaphilia (J.E.) by Julie Mehretu sold for $5.8m at Christie’s. Credit: Biennale Art Venice

This shift comes despite an overall decline in the market, raising critical questions about the forces driving the changing valuation of African female artists.

“This marks a significant moment, particularly as global sales of women artists still lag behind those of men,” notes Lindsay Dewar, Chief Operating Officer of ArtTactic, a leading art market research firm. “The African art scene stands out, setting a precedent where women are not just competing but excelling.”

The Numbers Behind the Shift

Auction sales data from Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips, Bonhams, and Strauss & Co. reveal that female African artists collectively generated $22 million in 2024, up from the previous year’s $17.5 million. Notably, the number of female artists represented surged from 288 in 2023 to 452 in 2024, a remarkable 57% increase.

At the top of the market, the Ethiopian-American artist Julie Mehretu led all sales with her abstract acrylic and ink painting Mumbaphilia (J.E.), fetching $5.8 million at Christie’s. South African modernist Irma Stern followed closely behind, reinforcing the strength of female representation across both contemporary and historical art categories. Works by Nigerian artists Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Toyin Ojih Odutola, along with South Africa’s Marlene Dumas, also crossed the $1 million mark, underscoring the growing recognition of female artists on the global stage.

Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby was one of the highest-selling African artists last year. Credit: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian

Women Artists Thriving Amid Market Contraction

This surge in female-led sales stands in stark contrast to broader market trends. The global art market declined by 27% in 2024, with the African art sector experiencing a sharper 45% drop. Yet, the sustained success of female artists suggests a deeper market shift rather than a temporary fluctuation.

“From a South African perspective, it’s unsurprising that women are dominating,” says Alastair Meredith, Head of Art at Strauss & Co. “Whether in modernist or contemporary categories, some of the highest-value artists today are women.”

Esther Mahlangu, known for her Ndebele-inspired geometric works, continues to see heightened demand, following her 2023 mural commission for the UK’s Serpentine Gallery. Meanwhile, London and New York auctions see multi-million-dollar valuations for artists such as Marlene Dumas and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, the British painter of Ghanaian descent.

Historical Underrepresentation and Structural Barriers

Despite the recent success of contemporary female African artists, the market is also witnessing a reappraisal of historically overlooked figures. Gladys Mgudlandlu, a pioneering South African artist, is finally receiving overdue recognition. “Her career was unfairly overlooked due to apartheid-era constraints on black female painters,” says Meredith. “Yet, her Fingo and Xhosa mural-inspired landscapes stand out in South African art history.”

Ethiopian-American artist Julie Mehretu was the best-selling artist in the African art market last year. Credit: Bianca De Marchi/AAP/Alamy

While women artists are leading auction results, structural barriers remain. Dana Endundo Ferreira, CEO of digital art platform Pavillon 54, notes that black women artists across Africa still contend with limited gallery representation, restricted access to international markets, and ingrained biases that have long undervalued their work. “Many continue to navigate male-dominated spaces where recognition comes slowly,” she says.

A Market Recalibration, Not a Trend

Analysts attribute this newfound gender parity to a combination of market recalibration and strategic shifts by auction houses. One key factor is the integration of African female artists into mainstream contemporary sales rather than restricting them to specialized African art auctions. “Positioning them alongside blue-chip Western artists like Andy Warhol lends their work greater visibility and credibility,” says Dewar.

Additionally, collectors and institutions are actively diversifying their acquisitions, fueling demand for African female artists. The emergence of younger artists on a more equal footing is also influencing market dynamics.

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s paintings of figures sells for millions of dollars Credit:David Levene/The Guardian

Since 2015, the number of female African artists sold at auction has surged by 130%. However, despite these gains, disparities remain stark. In 2024, the average price for works by female African artists stood at $23,500—far below the global average of $180,000 for female artists.

Yet, the long-term outlook appears promising. “The ability of African women artists to achieve sales parity in a historically male-dominated sector is a significant milestone,” says Dewar. While challenges persist, the sustained performance of female African artists signals not just a passing moment, but a fundamental transformation of the market.”