Muholi crowned Africa’s best artist
Gender activist tops 50-artist list
A new report on art has identified international renowned South African award-winning photographer Zanele Muholi as Africa’s top artist.
The report is an abridged version of our inaugural 2018 report, titled Contemporary African Art Ecology: A Decade of Curating, was conducted by Corrigall & Co, and a Cape Town-based art research consultancy.
Muholi, who occupies the top spot in the report, is among the top 50 artists to watch in Africa. The visual activist from Umlazi, Durban, has earned respect in photography worldwide.
Muholi’s mission of re-writing a black queer and trans-visual history of SA has made her a name in the art arena. She was selected for 12 exhibitions by Africa’s top 20 curators.
Another artist validated to the Top 50 is Kudzanai Chiurai from Zimbabwe, whose artistic footprint has stretched into the mediums of poetry, fashion, publishing and music, making him a cultural activist.
Other artists include George Osodi (Nigeria) and Tracey Rose, also from SA.
Mary Corrigall, founder of Corrigall & Co says: “Some of these artists have been totally overlooked by commercial allergists, auctioneers or the press and are not known despite having incredible CVs and having played a vital role in advancing narratives about Africa, race or gender issues.
“This is what makes this study valuable.”
The artists who made it to the Top 50 were validated over a ten-year period. Top 20 curators with established profile offered an objective list of artists who have consistently been valued by this elite group.
The curators included Koyo Kouoh, Azu Nwagubogu, Gabi Ngcobo, Okwui Enwezor and the late Bisi Silva among others.