African Artists - by Phaidon Editors & Joseph L Underwood & Chika Okeke-Agulu (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

As featured in the New York Times, ARTnews, Colossal, Metropolis and New York Magazine's The Strategist

A groundbreaking A-Z survey of the work of over 300 modern and contemporary artists born or based in Africa

Modern and Contemporary African art is at the forefront of the current curatorial and collector movement in today's art scene. This groundbreaking new book, created in collaboration with a prestigious global advisory board, represents the most substantial appraisal of contemporary artists born or based in Africa available. Features the work of more than 300 artists, including El Anatsui, Marlene Dumas, David Goldblatt, Lubaina Himid, William Kentridge, Julie Mehretu, Wangechi Mutu, and Robin Rhode, as well as lesser-known names from across Africa, with stunning and surprising examples of their art paired with insightful texts that demonstrate their contribution to the painting, sculpture, installation, photography, moving image, and performance art.

Advisory Panel: Alayo Akinkugbe, Kavita Chellaram, Raphael Chikukwa, Julie Crooks, Tandazani Dhlakama, Oumy Diaw, Janine Gaëlle Dieudji, Ekow Eshun, Ndubuisi C. Ezeluomba, Joseph Gergel, Danda Jaroljmek, Omar Kholeif, Rose Jepkorir Kiptum, Alicia Knock, Nkule Mabaso, Lucy MacGarry, Owen Martin, Aude Christel Mgba, Bongani Mkhonza, Riason Naidoo, Paula Nascimento, Simon Njami, Robert Njathika, Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, Chika Okeke-Agulu, Hannah O'Leary, Sean O'Toole, John Owoo, Brenda Schmahmann, Mark Sealy, Yasmeen Siddiqui, and Joseph L. Underwood

Review Quotes

'African Artists moves toward filling the hole in the Western record of the continent's creative output.' - New York Times

'A comprehensive guide to the continent's brightest stars.' - ARTnews

'The volume comes at a time when modern and contemporary African art is at the forefront of curatorial and collector efforts.' - SixtySix

'This volume makes a strong argument for the diverse mediums and messages coming out of the African continent.' - Elle Decor

'Essential.' - Aesthetica

'A groundbreaking new book.' - Red

'A stunning coffee-table title that is itself a substantial, gorgeous display.' - Shelf Awareness

'Another terrific history-in-a-book from Phaidon.' - Chicago Tribune

'An insightful read for art novices and seasoned collectors alike.' - New York Magazine's The Strategist

'One of the most expansive volumes of its kind.' - Colossal

'Beautiful and illuminating.' - Cool Mom Picks

About the Author

Conceived and edited by Phaidon editors.

Chika Okeke-Agulu is Professor of African and African Diaspora Art at Princeton University. He is the author of several books including Postcolonial Modernism: Art and Decolonization in Twentieth-Century Nigeria (2015), and is a co-editor of Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art.

Joseph L. Underwood is a scholar and curator whose research addresses the transnational networks of modern and contemporary African art, with an emphasis on artists from Senegal.