Sotheby’s London, 12 March 2018: Formed in 2016 in response to growing market demand, Modern and Contemporary African Art is the newest specialist department at Sotheby’s, championing the work of artists from the continent.

Following our inaugural sale in May last year (see the results here), the second dedicated auction will take place in London on 28 March 2018, including works by 62 artists from 16 countries across Africa, many of whom have rarely - if ever - been offered at international auction before.

Hannah O’Leary, Head of Modern and Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s, said: “The international spotlight on Modern and Contemporary African Art is growing ever stronger as museums, critics and art fairs increasingly look to profile art from the region. Artists from the continent, who were previously overlooked by the secondary market, are finally starting to receive their due recognition.

Sotheby’s first sale proved that if Modern and Contemporary African artists are given an international platform, demand from collectors is there. Participants came from nearly 30 different countries, with over half of the lots sold for prices above their high estimate.

The next edition of the sale will place a closer focus on contemporary art with recent pieces by some of the most exciting artists working today, as well as offering pieces by modern masters who were pioneers of their time.”

Artists from the following countries are represented in the sale: Algeria, Morocco (North Africa), Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal (West Africa), Ethiopia, Mozambique (East Africa), Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon (Central Africa), South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (Southern Africa). The sale is also distinguished by the inclusion of 10 works from renowned collectors and philanthropists To Live with Art: Property from the Jerome & Ellen Stern Collection.