Contemporary Art Archives - We Are Africa
Chéri Samba, Place de la victoire à Kinshasa/Matonge, 1991, 80 x 100 cm oil on canvas – courtesy of Pascal Polar Gallery, Brussels
30
Apr
2018
HOW DRC’S ARTISTS COULD CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF THE HEART OF DARKNESS

The DRC has been associated with war as long as we can remember. But its budding artists – and tourist attractions – are adding colour and life to the country’s sombre caricature. James Davidson investigates.

Photo by Pierre Debusschere and styling by Robbie Spencer – via Dazed
07
Feb
2018
HOW DIE ANTWOORD’S ABRASIVE OBSTINANCE CAN SHAPE SUCCESS

Sweary and tenacious, relentless and vexing, South Africa has much to learn from hip hop–music duo Antwoord. While enraging as much as they enrapture, they are pioneers in setting your own path and being comfortable in your skin – a sort of cultural originality that should be celebrated, not hidden.

Fragments by Aida Muluneh – courtesy of David Krut Projects
01
Dec
2017
AFRICA’S CREATIVES ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES

Fired up on a disdain for the establishment and a spirit of resilience, African creativity has embraced DIY ethics and trodden its own radical path. James Davidson dives into modern Africa’s punk rock rebellion.

14
Nov
2017
EXPLORING BEYOND BEAUTIFUL BEACHES: ART IN MOZAMBIQUE

There’s more to Mozambique than its beautiful beaches: poignant, historic, audacious and awe-inspiring are all words that describe the contemporary art scene in this underrated creative hub that has been somewhat overlooked by the avid sun-bathers visiting these parts.

Fabrice Monteiro
17
Jul
2017
FUTURE SHOCK: FABRICE MONTEIRO’S PROPHETIC SPIRITS WARN OF KEEPING COMPLACENT

Belgian-Beninese photographer Fabrice Monteiro’s The Prophecy is an ongoing body of work giving key environmental issues the repulsive makeover they deserve.

27
Jun
2017
WHO SHOULD DESIGN YOUR NEXT HOTEL?

From vegetable- dyed textiles and charmingly wonky ceramics to sleek lighting and avant-garde sculpture, Emma Love looks to Africa’s homegrown designers for her interior inspiration.

08
Jun
2017
GET SWALLOWED UP BY THE DESIGNS OF SOUTH AFRICA’S PORKY HEFER

Singularly African; unashamedly buoyant; and delivering a sanguine shot of unaffected joy, designer Porky Hefer’s work has only just begun.

15
May
2017
JOHANNESBURG ARTIST LADY SKOLLIE USES HUMOUR AS A VEHICLE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

The work of Johannesburg-based activist artist Lady Skollie never errs on flippancy. Her pieces address rape culture, gender polarity and racial inequality.

11
May
2017
AFRICA’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST REVEALED AT THE INNOVATION AWARDS 2017

Last night our tribe shimmied on down to Shimmy Beach Club to celebrate the fourth annual Innovation Awards, hosted by The Ritz.

28
Mar
2017
UNCOVERING CREATIVE SPACE IN THE GHANAIAN CAPITAL OF ACCRA

Ghana’s creative scene is steadily growing, and an entrepreneurial spirit pulses through the country’s capital city, Accra.

Faith47 © Henrik Haven
16
Mar
2017
THE EXISTENTIAL MUSINGS OF JOHANNESBURG-BORN STREET ARTIST FAITH47

Johannesburg-born artist Faith47 is not a Banksy nor a D*Face. Her art does not scream instant recognition.

Tony Gum
16
Mar
2017
COCA COLA MEETS GLOBAL CULTURE WITH THE COOLEST GIRL IN CAPE TOWN, TONY GUM

A Cape Town blogger turned rising art star, Tony Gum is one of the world’s most exciting young creatives.

Danielle Clough
16
Mar
2017
INTERNET SENSATION DANIELLE CLOUGH IS MAKING A RACKET ABOUT CAPE TOWN CREATIVITY

Cape Town creative Danielle Clough encapsulates both the pre- and post-viral world. The craft that she has become known for is as timeless as can be.

Mabeo x Patricia Urquiola: Sefefo
16
Mar
2017
MAKING AFRICA: PETER MABEO

Peter Mabeo is the founder of a design brand that harnesses internationally-revered design talent and places it alongside their own homegrown design team.

31
Jan
2017
BRUSHING AWAY THE DUST WITH AFRICA’S CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES

For a glimpse into African culture through its art, the vibrant galleries and exhibition spaces in these African cities are the perfect start.

12
Jan
2017
HIT THE STREETS FOR FIRST THURSDAYS

Travellers looking for a new way to discover Johannesburg or Cape Town need look no further than burgeoning art and design gatherings First Thursdays.

09
Nov
2016
NEW AFRICA PRIDE AT LAGOSPHOTO

Launched in 2010, LagosPhoto is the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria, taking place until 21 November. Melissa Twigg investigates.

20
Oct
2016
ARTISTIC ELEMENTS

From 8 October to 3 December, the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg is hosting ‘Air: Inspiration – Expiration’; Eugene Yiga gets the inside track from exhibition curator Cyril Coetzee.

29
Mar
2016
INTO THE ART OF AFRICA

Brendon and Suzette Bell‐Roberts, founders of both ART AFRICA and That Art Fair, tell us how the contemporary art scene is developing in Africa.

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