Abstract art from the continent and diaspora, once on the fringes of the global art landscape, has now taken its rightful place in the spotlight. From the diverse community of African artists, we spotlight our picks of abstract artists, each with a unique voice, a different perspective, and an artistry that transcends borders From Limpopo to Fort de France, their artistic journeys reflect personal narratives, socio-political commentaries, and cultural identity.
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Agnes Waruguru
b. 1994. Nairobi, Kenya.
Agnes Waruguru, born in Nairobi in 1994, is an artist of diverse talents. Her work transcends traditional boundaries and includes painting, drawing, printmaking, needlework, and installation. She explores the materiality of objects in space, intimately connected to personal identity politics and cultural traditions. Her art is a journey through memory and emotions, inviting viewers to embark on a poetic exploration. Notably, Waruguru has been nominated for the Volkskrant Beeldende Kunst Prijs (2022) and has participated in prestigious residencies worldwide, including the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam.
Agnes Waruguru, Small Things to Consider, Circle Art Gallery, 2020. Courtesy contemporaryand.
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Asemahle Ntlonti
b. 1993. Cape Town, South Africa.
Asemahle Ntlonti, is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes sculpture, performance art, painting, andfound materials. Ntlonti’s work is a fusion of these diverse elements, giving space to a holistic creative process. Ntlonti’s sculptures often transform everyday objects into captivating, larger-than-life artworks, each piece narrating a unique story. This approach to making involves layering paint, paper, and thread stitching on canvas to create textured works that draw inspiration from the vernacular architecture of Ntlonti’s ancestral homeland in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This work reflects on intergenerational traumas, economic subjugation, and cultural alienation, as the artist seeks to connect with their roots and community through ongoing research of isiXhosa heritage.
Asemahle Ntlonti, Inyanga yesixhenxe, 2020. Courtesy of artthrob
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Alain Joséphine
b.1968. Fort de France, Martinique.
Born in the idyllic commune of Riviere-Pilote, Alain Joséphine's artistic journey is intrinsically intertwined with the terrain of his hometown. These landscapes not only serve as a muse but also play an integral role in shaping his artistic identity. Joséphine's connection to these landscapes is as tangible as his relationship with his art. Through his creative lens, Joséphine meticulously dissects the elements that compose these landscapes, weaving them into his unique pictorial reality. At the core of his artistic process lies a contemplation of the human presence within the spaces he depicts, as well as in the realm of painting itself.
His paintings beautifully evoke the countryside landscapes of his youth, and carry a subtle undercurrent of melancholy and nostalgia.
Alain Joséphine, ST183, 2023.
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El Anatsui
b. 1944. Anyako, Ghana.
El Anatsui, has had a remarkable career spanning over four decades. He is best known for his awe-inspiring installations created from repurposed alcohol bottle caps, reflecting the legacy of production, trade, and consumption during the colonial expansion era. Anatsui's art challenges conventional sculpture, offering a sensory, multi-layered reimagining of the material world. Through his resourceful use of discarded materials like liquor bottle caps and cassava graters, Anatsui explores themes of reuse, transformation, and the deep connection to his continent. His art is a powerful critique of colonial history, consumerism, and environmental concerns.
El Anatsui, Behind the Red Moon (Installation view), Tate Modern, 2023. Courtesy Artnet.
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Julie Mehretu
b. 1970. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Julie Mehretu is a dynamic artist whose works provide a visual articulation of contemporary experiences. Her art reflects social behaviour and the intricate psychogeography of space. Drawing from diverse influences such as politics, literature, and music. Recently her paintings have often incorporated photographic images from broadcast media, depicting conflict, injustice, and social unrest. These images serve as intellectual and compositional foundations, yet remain as ethereal phantoms in her abstracted works. Through painting, drawing, and printmaking, Mehretu challenges the status quo and embodies the contemporary condition of individuals and societies.
Julie Mehretu, They departed for their own country another way, 2023. Courtesy of Artnews.
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Khadija Jayi
b.1989. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco.
Khadija Jayi is a prominent Moroccan abstract artist whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art. Jayi's artistic journey is a testament to her unyielding passion for abstraction and her unique ability to channel emotion and concept into striking non-representational forms.
Her artwork is a mesmerising dance of colours, lines, and shapes that convey depth and meaning beyond traditional representation. Jayi's canvases serve as windows into the complex interplay between the artist's inner world and the external realm, inviting viewers to explore their own interpretations and connections with her creations.
A leading figure in the Moroccan art scene, Khadija Jayi's innovative approach to abstraction has earned her widespread recognition and admiration. Her body of work continues to evolve, marking her as an influential and inspiring presence within the global abstract art community. With each new creation, she pushes the boundaries of creative expression, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the realm of contemporary abstract art.
Khadija Jayi, The relics of the earth series, 2023. Courtesy of Anna Marra.
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Odili Donald Odita
b. 1966. Enugu, Nigeria.
Hailing from Enugu, Nigeria, Odili Donald Odita, is a renowned abstract painter whose work is a vibrant celebration of colour. His large-scale canvases burst with kaleidoscopic patterns and vivid hues, offering a profound exploration of colour's role in both historical and sociopolitical contexts. Odita believes that colour possesses the power to mirror the complexity of our world and to stand as a distinct force. Through his intricate, interwoven colours, he eloquently reflects the essence of light in defining our perception of the world.
Odili Donald Odita, Opus, X, Jack Shainman Gallery, 2022. Courtesy Jack Shainman Gallery.