Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present
Live Virtual Auction, 19 February 2024
Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present
About the SessionFrom Thomas Baines to Jake Aikman, Curatorial Voices: African Landscapes, Past and Present will showcase art by pioneering modernist and trailblazing contemporary artists, spanning 175 years of visual landscape painting on the African continent. This comprehensive auction reveals a nuanced understanding of the diverse cultural, historical, and environmental contexts that have shaped artistic representations of the landscape. Through an examination of various themes, the auction seeks to engage viewers in a dialogue that transcends time and space, connecting past representations to contemporary perspectives. The auction attempts to engage with the diversity of artists that have shaped and continue to shape the depiction of Africa through time.
The auction invites viewers on a captivating journey through the artistic expressions that mirror the multifaceted nature of African terrain. Through meticulous curation and insightful analysis, the catalogue aspires to be a valuable resource for scholars, art enthusiasts and anyone eager to embark on a thought-provoking exploration of Africa’s rich and complex artistic heritage.
Curatorial Voices
Recognising the dynamic discourse surrounding African Landscape, both past and present, the auction features texts by invited contemporary curators responding to the auction selection and themes. As external voices, they provide critical insights into the complexities of the landscape theme. By amplifying these contemporary perspectives, the exhibition seeks to bridge the gap between traditional representations and the ever-evolving discourse on the role of African art within the global art market.
Azza Satti, Independent Curator, Kenya
Azu Nwagbogu, Founder and Director of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), Nigeria
Camilla van Hoogstraten, Head of Sales, Latitudes Online
Ugoma Ebilah, Curator, Gallerist & Founder of Bloom Art
Nkgopoleng Moloi, Independent Curator, South Africa
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
inscribed 'B12/14' on the reverse
Notes
Named by Bonham’s London as one of the founding fathers of modern African art, this year, 2024, marks Ablade Glover’s ninth decade, out of which he has spent seven as an artist. Glover’s People series delves into the profound concept of the power of the people. Who are the people, the faceless masses, the people without power? Ghana was the first country in Africa to gain independence from Europe in 1957. The first democratic president Dr. Nkrumah selected young artisans to study in Europe and America through bursaries and then return to Ghana and pass on their trade through an apprenticeship program. Glover was personally selected by the newly elected Dr Nkrumah to study textiles, whose influences can still be seen in his work today. The world looked upon Ghana as the shining example of the continent's first democratically elected government. Sadly Dr Nkrumah’s grip on power turned toxic, leading to his authoritarian rule and subsequent ousting. Glover’s People Scene B12/14 explores how the power lies in the people in electing the elected official, but often once the official is elected, the people become powerless hence the faceless masses. Through his art, Glover raises important questions about the role of the people in shaping their destinies and the potential for power to become concentrated and disconnected from those it is meant to serve.
This lot has been selected by Curatorial Voice: Ugoma Ebilah.
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