The pandemic has also marked a time in art, especially in contemporary art. If on the one hand the auction houses record an increase in online sales in many sectors with high award performance, on the other hand we see a greater presence of auctions also with works by emerging international artists and where the proceeds are often destined for humanitarian aid purposes. A signal that gives hope for a more philanthropic attitude could bring into play the importance of the need to place emerging art on the market and at the same time give it a more realistic meaning. aware and akin to the social models of the new generations of collectors.
The following collection offered by Phillips on July 13 in London, represents wealth and diversity of contemporary African art, featuring works by some of the most exciting young artists working today. Drawing on traditional craft practices, digital technologies and a rich history of portraiture, the works belong to the Africa First collection whose founder, Serge Tiroche, pledged the proceeds of the sale to the Africa First Residency Program in order to provide support to emerging artists from Africa and the African diaspora.
Since its founding in 2017, Africa First has been part of a vibrant and dynamic moment in the global recognition and promotion of African and Diasporic art. In addition to supporting the work and international reach of established artists through its collection and well-established loan programme, the program Africa First Residency is part of a growing movement to improve and expand the infrastructure for emerging talent through the provision of studio space, creation of new museums, galleries, art fairs and fine arts programs. Based in Israel, the residency offers artists the unique opportunity to explore the country and create works that are responsive to their experience within 2 – 3 months. While residency alumnus Nirit Takele used the opportunity to reflect on her personal relationship to Israel, other artists including Helen Teede and Wycliffe Mundopa incorporated new locally sourced materials, colors and textures in an expansion of their practice . The artists represented in this group have themselves experienced the direct impact of such well-established and important programs and in their commitment to building and maintaining a dialogue around social change have expressed the fundamental importance of such initiatives in the reception Global Contemporary African Art.
Some works in the auction:
Cover detail: Simphiwe Ndzube, Figure With a Whip Leg, 2019. Estimate £18,000 – 24,000. New Now London.
