African Artists Rising: The Top Shaping Contemporary Art

Africa’s rich tapestry of cultures and histories has long served as inspiration for artists worldwide, but it wasn’t until recently that artists born on the continent began to receive the global recognition they deserved. The 1989 exhibition “Les magiciens de la terre” at the Centre Pompidou marked a turning point, and the Black Lives Matter movement further amplified awareness of their crucial contributions.

These are the top highest-ranking artists who were born in Africa:

William Kentridge (1955, South Africa) Renowned for his animated films, drawings, and theater productions. His work often explores themes of South African history, colonialism, and the complexities of memory and identity. Uses charcoal drawings and stop-motion animation to create powerful, evocative narratives.

Zanele Muholi (1972, South Africa) A visual activist and photographer known for documenting and celebrating the lives of Black LGBTQ+ communities in South Africa. Their work challenges stereotypes and confronts issues of discrimination and prejudice. Uses self-portraiture and documentary photography to create powerful, intimate images.

Otobong Nkanga (1974, Belgium/Nigeria) Creates multidisciplinary works, including drawings, installations, and performances. Explores themes of land, history, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Her work often incorporates materials like soil, minerals, and plants, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things.

Marlene Dumas (1953, Netherlands/South Africa) A painter known for her expressive, often emotionally charged portraits and figurative works. Explores themes of sexuality, gender, and identity, often using watercolors and ink washes to create dreamlike images. Her work challenges conventional notions of beauty and representation.

Julie Mehretu (1970, Ethiopia) Creates large-scale abstract paintings and drawings that evoke maps, architectural plans, and urban landscapes. Her work explores themes of migration, displacement, and the complexities of the contemporary world. Uses layers of acrylic paint, ink, and pencil to create dynamic, multi-layered compositions.

Wangechi Mutu (1972, Kenya) A multidisciplinary artist known for her collages, sculptures, and installations. Her work explores themes of gender, identity, and the African diaspora. Often combines images from various sources, including fashion magazines, medical illustrations, and African mythology, to create hybrid figures that challenge stereotypes and celebrate the power of the feminine.

Bouchra Khalili (1975, France/Morocco) A video and installation artist known for her works that explore themes of migration, borders, and language. Her work often focuses on the experiences of individuals living in marginalized communities and navigating complex political landscapes. Uses video, sound, and text to create immersive installations that challenge viewers to rethink their understanding of identity and belonging.

John Akomfrah (1957, United Kingdom/Ghana) A highly influential filmmaker and installation artist, Akomfrah’s work explores themes of memory, post-colonialism, and the African diaspora. His films often weave together archival footage, fictional narratives, and poetic imagery to create powerful and thought-provoking reflections on history and its impact on the present.

Mounir Fatmi (1970, France/Morocco) Fatmi’s conceptual works span video, installation, sculpture, and painting. His art often deals with the impact of technology on society, globalization, and the tensions between tradition and modernity. He uses a variety of materials and media to create visually arresting works that question our relationship with the world around us.

Sammy Baloji (1978, Democratic Republic of the Congo) Baloji’s photography and video installations examine the complex history and legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He often juxtaposes archival images with contemporary photographs to highlight the ongoing impact of colonial exploitation and the resilience of Congolese people.

Ibrahim Mahama (1987, Ghana) Mahama is known for his large-scale installations that often incorporate found objects and materials like jute sacks, used shoes, and rusted metal. His work explores themes of labor, migration, and the global economy, drawing attention to the inequalities and hidden histories embedded in everyday objects.

Latifa Echakhch (1974, Morocco) Echakhch’s installations and sculptures often use everyday objects and materials that she transforms and recontextualizes. Her work explores themes of cultural identity, memory, and displacement, challenging viewers to reconsider familiar objects and their meanings.

Pascale Marthine Tayou (1966, Cameroon) Tayou’s vibrant and eclectic installations incorporate a wide range of materials, including found objects, plastic bags, and neon lights. His work is often playful and humorous, but it also addresses serious issues like globalization, consumerism, and the environment.

Lubaina Himid (1954, Tanzania) A prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement in Britain, Himid’s vibrant paintings and installations explore themes of cultural history, memory, and the reclamation of Black identities often overlooked or marginalized in mainstream narratives. Her work challenges colonial perspectives and celebrates the richness and resilience of African diasporic cultures.  

Barthélémy Toguo (1967, Cameroon)
Toguo’s multidisciplinary practice encompasses painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and even agriculture. His work is deeply connected to his Cameroonian roots and engages with issues of identity, migration, globalization, and the environment. He often employs symbolism and metaphor to create visually striking and thought-provoking works that bridge the personal and the political.
Anna Boghiguian (1946, Egypt)  Boghiguian’s expansive installations, drawings, and paintings delve into the complexities of history, memory, and displacement. Often incorporating found objects and text, her works explore themes of colonialism, migration, and the intersection of personal and collective narratives.  

Monira Al-Qadiri (1983, Kuwait) A multi-media artist, Al-Qadiri’s works, including video installations, sculptures, and performances, challenge conventional notions of history, politics, and identity in the Gulf region. She often employs irony and satire to critique consumer culture, the oil industry, and the legacies of colonialism.  

Njideka Akunyili Crosby (1983, Nigeria)  Akunyili Crosby’s large-scale, mixed-media paintings explore the complexities of cultural identity, memory, and the diasporic experience. Drawing inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and life in the United States, she weaves together personal and collective narratives, often incorporating photographs, fabric, and other materials to create visually rich and emotionally resonant works.  

El Anatsui (1944, Ghana)  Best known for his monumental, shimmering tapestries made from discarded bottle caps and other recycled materials, El Anatsui transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. His works address themes of consumerism, globalization, and the environment, while also drawing on traditional African textile and craft traditions.

These artists, spanning a range of disciplines and generations, are shaping the contemporary art scene with their powerful and thought-provoking works. They challenge conventional narratives, explore themes of identity, history, and social justice, and invite viewers to engage with the complexities of the African experience and its global impact.

As the world increasingly recognizes the depth and diversity of African art, these artists stand at the forefront, paving the way for a new generation of voices to be heard and celebrated.

Cover photo source: The meteoric rise of African art – MoMAA | Affordable Art Gallery & Lifestyle The meteoric rise of African art