150 Cultural Advocates by Art Africa Magazine

The January 2024 issue of the magazine, entitled 'Cultural Advocacy', features 150 cultural advocates who are working in the post-colonial discourse of the Global South to reshape the cultural narrative. The cultural advocates include artists, curators, collectors and art professionals who have played a central role in reshaping the narrative and perspectives surrounding art and artists of African descent.
Lidija Kostic Khachatourian and Kristian Khachatourian are among the 150 cultural advocates present. Thanks to the AKKA project spaces in Venice and Dubai, they have created a platform capable of enriching the contemporary African art scene. To date, they have made a valuable contribution by promoting emerging talent and developing new audiences through their projects and exhibitions.

Other key names on the list of 150 cultural advocates include: South African-born artist Marlene Dumas, considered one of the most influential artists on the contemporary art scene; artist Simone Leigh, winner of the Golden Lion for Best Participant at the 59th Venice Biennale; curator and artistic director Azu Nwagbogu, founder of the African Artists' Foundation (AAF) in Lagos, Nigeria; writer and curator Ekow Eshun, the first black editor of Arena Magazine in 1997 and the first black director of a major arts organisation; artist and cultural icon Esther Mahlangu, known for her vibrant abstract paintings inspired by Ndbele's design; Ugandan artist and designer Collin Sekajugo, co-founder of the 32 East Ugandan Arts Trust; sculptor El Anatsui, considered one of Africa's foremost contemporary artists; Artist Aboudia, who represented Côte d'Ivoire at the 59th Venice Biennale; Artist eL Seed, who challenges notions of street art by fusing Arabic calligraphy and vibrant imagery into cultural narratives; Artist Kapwani Kiwanga, who won the Prix Marcel Duchamp in 2020; executive director and curator Raphael Chikukwa, director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe since 2020; artist Sonia Boyce, winner of the Golden Lion for the best national pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale; curator Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York City; artist William Kentridge, known for his innovative use of simple charcoal drawings.

Launched in 2002, ART AFRICA is a magazine dedicated to showcasing the diverse and dynamic creative production emerging from the African continent and diaspora, the Middle East and the Global South. Its founders, Suzette and Brendon Bell-Roberts, aim to amplify progressive voices that challenge the status quo by celebrating individuals, institutions and organisations that are actively working to redress historical narratives.
 
Check out the Magazine at the below link (pp. 11 - 40).
7 March 2024