African Art Agenda

Nairobi

While traveling around and meeting other artists and art lovers we realized that there was a lot to be said about the African art market.

The artists often felt That the only market for them was abroad and that the governments didn’t do enough,

the art lovers felt that art was overpriced and aimed for international western markets

and the government side felt that artistic brain drain was inevitable and therefore not a viable investment.

What the organisation is trying to do is bridge these points of views and create a space for discourse and solutions. We are trying to demystify the artist because a lot of people can’t put a face to a name, have a romanticized notion of art, don’t understand how much work is put into paintings or really don’t know anything about African art, we are trying to make them accessible, gaining exposure for the artist… However we also want to discuss these issues so that everyone feels heard and it becomes possible to create an African market for African art

What exactly is killing the African Art Scene as original, beautiful and vibrant as it is (though fiscally quiet)

Is it trends such as gaining exposure by selling paintings to coffee houses?

Is it lack of implementing cultural policies that would strengthen the scene?

Is it a public that would rather own the latest gadget than a painting, the architects and engineers who don’t factor these paintings and artifacts into buildings often enough, the artists and artisans who have given up on their local markets and await international recognition, the governments who rarely endorse art programs?

The problems are plenty, but what will it take to create an African market for African art if only to encourage or expand the small international market for it?

We aim to create a space for the appreciation for all forms of African Art, to perhaps interview some artists and get their take on it, to push for some solutions on the way forward

  • Work
    • Fine Art