This June, the Swiss city of Basel is set to become an unprecedented hub for contemporary African art, hosting not one but two landmark events side by side.
For the first time, the renowned global art market beacon, Art Basel, will coincide with the inaugural edition of Africa Basel — a fair entirely dedicated to showcasing African and diaspora contemporary art.
Africa Basel, running from June 16 to 22 at the historic Ackermannshof, emerges as a unique platform conceived by Sven Eisenhut-Hug and Benjamin Füglister.
Unlike larger fairs, Africa Basel embraces a “boutique fair” format focused on intimacy and quality of engagement.
Featuring around twenty carefully selected exhibitors vetted by an expert committee including Azu Nwagbogu and Michèle Sandoz, the event promises a demanding curatorial approach underscoring depth over volume.
Beyond exhibitions, it offers a rich program of conferences, roundtables, and performances designed to foster dialogue and deeper understanding.
Simultaneously, the 55th edition of Art Basel (June 19-22) spotlights African art prominently, especially within its new Premiere section dedicated to ultra-contemporary works.
Cairo-based Gypsum Gallery pioneers this presence, showcasing artists like Dimitra Charamandas and Basim Magdy, whose creations grapple with environmental themes through an African lens.
Meanwhile, celebrated figures such as Esther Mahlangu, El Anatsui, and Yinka Shonibare enjoy global recognition in international galleries, alongside emerging talents like Roméo Mivekannin and Arthur Monroe.
This tandem scheduling is far from coincidental.
By aligning Africa Basel with Art Basel week, organizers have crafted a strategic synergy: visitors can experience African art’s global integration at Art Basel while engaging in an immersive exploration of its rich specificities at Africa Basel.
This duality addresses a complex dynamic within the African art market—where some galleries seek to transcend the “African art gallery” label to claim global stature, while others embrace it as a powerful identity amid growing demand for diverse narratives.
Adding to this vibrant ecosystem, satellite events like Photo Basel and galleries featured at Liste and Volta fairs further amplify the presence of African artists, reflecting a surge of interest from a new generation of collectors and institutions.
In a global art market facing contraction, Africa Basel’s inaugural edition aims for long-term stability anchored in Basel’s cultural landscape, offering a vital springboard for African artists and galleries to expand their international footprint.
As contemporary African art captures ever greater attention, Basel 2025 marks a historic milestone that promises to redefine its place on the world stage.
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