Africa is a continent that has a lot of culture and history to offer, so it’s no wonder that it has many art galleries. These galleries are famous for having the best African art on display. Some of these galleries have been around since the early 1900s.
African galleries are attracting a growing number of tourists. The exhibits are diverse and fascinating. A visit to the continent also allows visitors to experience traditional African culture and observe indigenous art and craft.
Africa is home to some of the world’s most stunning and captivating art galleries. This list features ten of the most popular and well-known galleries in Africa.
Top 10 Art Galleries in Africa
For any reason you are looking for some reputable top art galleries in Africa, the following top 10 galleries are great places you can liaise or check.
There are some unique art galleries in Africa if you want something different. Many of these galleries have awe-inspiring collections, and the artwork is always diverse and unique.
1. Goodman Gallery – South Africa
Goodman Gallery, located in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, has a branch in London.
Goodman Gallery is dedicated to promoting contemporary art in all forms and will focus on emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
For over 50 years, Goodman Gallery has presented acclaimed exhibitions with leading artists of our time.
From paintings to sculptures and more, their upcoming schedule is genuinely ever-changing.
With over 40 artists represented and different experiences, The Art Gallery has a vast number of diverse works that have altered our society and impacted deeply rooted power structures.
Founder of Goodman Gallery
Lucy Goodman founded Goodman Gallery in 1994, which was last owned by Liza Essers starting in 2008.
Some Top Artists at Goodman Gallery
Goodman Gallery is renowned for organizing programs that feature rising and famous artists whose work addresses general African backgrounds.
Artists featured in exhibitions of this nature are often emerging or preexisting acts such as:
· Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze
· Ghada Amer
· El Anatsui
· Yto Barrada
· Candice Breitz
· Lisa Brice
· Kudzanai Chiurai
· Nolan Oswald Dennis
· Jabulani Dhlamini
· mounir fatmi
· Carlos Garaicoa
· Kendell Geers
· Reza Farkhondeh & Ghada Amer
· David Goldblatt
· Gabrielle Goliath
· Dor Guez
· Nicholas Hlobo
· Robert Hodgins
· Alfredo Jaar, etc
Legacies of Goodman Gallery
For several generations, Goodman Gallery has been a leader and a champion of human rights advocacy, healthcare, and NGOs. It has unique partnerships with Witkoppen Health & Welfare Clinic, Orange Babies, and the Red Cross.
Some of Goodman Gallery Exhibitions
· Cinthia Sifa Mulanga | In The Becoming | 2022
· William Kentridge | Oh To Believe in Another World
· Yinka Shonibare CBE RA | Restitution of the Mind and Soul
· Nicholas Hlobo | Yongamela Ubumnyama | 2022
· Ravelle Pillay | Tide and Seed
· ruby onyinyechi amanze / DUETS / 2022
Some of Goodman Gallery Art Fairs
· Frieze London 2022
· ART BASEL 2022
· Frieze New York 2022
· Mikhael Subotzky | Mikhael Subotzky & Patrick Waterhouse | Photo London 2022
· Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2022 ICTAF
· Frieze LA 2022
2. Zamalek Art Gallery – Cairo, Egypt
The Zamalek Art Gallery is a leading art institution in Cairo, Egypt. Founded in 1927 by the Egyptian businessman and collector Ahmed Zedan, it has been home to some of the most prominent Egyptian artists.
Moreover, the Zamalek Art Gallery offers consultancy services to artists while organizing a wide range of cultural exhibitions and events.
Some of Zamalek Art Gallery Past Events
· Gamal El-Sagini’s 100th anniversary, a double exhibition at Zamalek Art Gallery and Mahmoud Mokhtar museum, 2017.
· GazbiaSirry’s last Retrospective, 2016.
· The Art collection of the Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel, 2011.
· The Art collection of the DusitThani Hotel, Lake View, 2010.
· The Art collection of the DusitThani Hotel, Lake View, 2010.
· The Art collection of the Nile City Towers (entrance & offices), 2007.
· Sharm El Sheikh Congress Hall, (Complete Museum Collection Paintings & Sculptures), 2006.
· Commission of the Four Season Hotel Nile Plaza Beymen ceiling, 2004.
· The Art collection of the Four Seasons Hotel Nile Plaza, 2003.
· A six-month Art Festival celebrating “The 100th Anniversary” of the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan in 1999-2000
Some Artists have their collections at Zamalek Art Gallery
· Abd El Rahman El Nachar
· Farghali Abdel Hafiz
· Farouk Hosny
· Gamal El Sagini
· Gazbia Sirry
· Hamed Owais
· Mostafa Abdel Moity
· Rabab Nemr
· Zeinab Al Sageny
· Adel Moustafa
· Amina El Demirdash
· Ayman El-Saadawy
· Carelle Homsy
· Emad Ibrahim
· Gamal Abdel Naser
· George Fikry
· Hana El-Sagini
· Kamal El Fiky
· Khaled Sourour
· Mohamed El Fayoumi
· Mostafa Rabie, etc
What Makes Zamalek Art Gallery Popular?
Zamalek Art Gallery hosts art and cultural events such as exhibitions and is available for anything you may be thinking of, and offers support. They are an essential part of Egyptian society.
3. Matisse Art Gallery – Marrakesh, Morocco
The opening of the Matisse Art Gallery in 1999 marked the first exhibition of Matisse’s work outside France. The gallery has since become one of the most important art spaces in Marrakesh and featured works by Picasso, Basquiat, Matisse, and many more.
The gallery organizes different resources for artists to help them center themselves and refocus on creativity. These resources include paints, more canvases, drawing utensils, and software to record work properly.
Specialties of Matisse Art Gallery
The Matisse Art Gallery specializes in hosting solo shows for the young artist, of which some prominent names have emerged.
Some of the top artists that have displayed at the gallery include;
· Nouredine Chater
· Noureddine Daifallah
· Farid Belkahia
· Hassan El-Glaoui
Matisse Art Gallery allows locals to view their collections and helps authors publish their works. They offer an atmosphere of collaboration and community where they hope growth will happen.
Summer Program at Matisse Art Gallery
Matisse Art Gallery holds an early summer program for children and young artists with courses on;
· Art
· Chess
· Math
· Reading
· Writing
The Moroccan artists at the gallery are encouraged to express their creativity in an individualized manner by choosing colors & drawing subject matter.
4. Nike Art Gallery – Nigeria
Nike Art Gallery is a unique gallery dedicated to promoting African art. It allows Nigerians and others to enjoy contemporary art and discuss its meaning and importance.
Nike Art Gallery has been the home of the best artworks from different regions of West Africa. It is also home to some of the biggest art workshops and tours.
List of Artists at Nike Art Gallery
The artists listed below have their artworks, including beads, textiles, paintings, and lots more, at the Nike Art Gallery;
· Abiodun Badejo
· Abdulrazaq Ahmed
· Nike Okundaye
· Abubakar Nurudeen
· D Alabi, etc
Founder of Nike Art Gallery
On July 4th, 2007, Nike Okundaye founded the Nike Art Gallery in her house to display the artworks of the Nike Art & Culture Foundation. The initial purpose of establishing this gallery was to show only a few pieces of artwork.
However, with time and dedication by a fantastic team, the gallery expanded over time and presents today an impressive collection of over 3,000 pieces on its walls.
The gallery has an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork. With this, it quickly became a hub for art enthusiasts locally and internationally.
5. Addis Fine Art Gallery – Ethiopia
Addis Fine Art Gallery has locations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and London, England. It specializes in contemporary and modern art.
The art gallery exhibits a nationally renowned collection of work which includes photography, sculpture, painting & more.
The Addis Fine Art Gallery collection features a wide range of artwork for you to take in. Some pieces are just as magnificent as the building’s white-cube architecture, and others are even more.
Addis Fine Art Gallery is a famous gallery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rakeb Sile and Mesai Haileleul founded the gallery in 2016 to showcase their work. In 2021, the gallery established its London branch of the gallery at Fitzrovia.
Top Artists at Addis Fine Art Gallery
· Dawit Adnew
· Adiskidan Ambaye
· Merikokeb Berhanu
· Tizta Berhanu
· Girmachew Getnet
· Addis Gezehagn
· Ermias Kifleyesus
· Tsedaye Makonnen
· Tadesse Mesfin
· Helina Metaferia
· Selome Muleta
· Tariku Shiferaw
· Nirit Takele
· Nigatu Tsehay
· Tesfaye Urgessa
· Daniela Yohannes
Exhibitions at Addis Fine Art Gallery
· Annual Addis Calling group show
· Column of Rhythm – European solo exhibition by Tadesse Mesfin
· In Between by Girmachew Getnet
· Silent Dialogues by Dawit Adnew & Seyoum Ayalew, etc.
Since the establishment of the Addis Fine Art Gallery, it has constantly been bringing art from the Horn of Africa to the global stage.
6. Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery – Tanzania
Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery in Zanzibar city of Tanzania, has many renowned henna paintings and prints similar to traditional henna body art.
The oldest known evidence of henna art is the tomb of Tutankhamun, a pharaoh in Egypt 3,300 years ago.
Henna is applicable for paint markings on the body and decorating jewelry to show wealth or position. The word “henna” comes from an Arabic word meaning “to dye.”
What to Expect at Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery
There are two things you can’t ignore when visiting the Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery. One is the vibrant artwork on display, and the other is the heaping piles of henna designs.
This gallery, which has been open for about six years now, has a variety of beautiful paintings and prints from women artists.
While the paintings in the gallery show some of what women traditionally find decorating their feet and hands during the festive season, showcased on the walls, floors, and canvas.
7. Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry – Kenya
The Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry in Nairobi, Kenya, is a renowned establishment on the Kenyan art scene, showcasing exquisite bronze and silver art pieces.
The gallery has long gained recognition for its extensive collection of jewelry, sculpture, and other bronze arts that have garnered a global following.
Pieces at Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry
The gallery has an incredibly comprehensive range of wildlife art, including;
· Buffalo
· Elephant
· Hippo
· Lion
· Rhino
· Birds, etc
Founder of the Gallery
Danis Mathews, a Kenyan artist, founded the Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry. Through the help of his daughter Esenya, he later expanded it to have SAFARIA, which displays for sale silver jewelry and a restaurant.
Location: Kifaru Ln, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: https://www.matbronze.com/
8. Kuru Art Project – Botswana
The Kuru Art Project collaborates with the San and Naro artists from Botswana. The project aims to increase understanding and appreciation of the art created by these talented indigenous artists living in Botswana’s remote desert regions.
How They Started
Kuru Art Project was established as the Kura Development Trust in 1990 at D’Kar. They aim to promote traditional arts by marketing their works and exposing them to modern art methods and materials.
Specialty Areas of the Kura Art Project
The artists at Kura Art Project cover a wide range of interests and topics, such as;
Craft producers
Skilled traditional dancers
Musicians, and
Storytellers
These artists grew up across western Botswana, have a background in rock painting, and are becoming more and more contemporary with new creative materials.
9. Nubuke Foundation – Ghana
The Nubuke Foundation is mainly for art appreciation, education, and program management.
The center is a unique space with a high concentration of art lovers in Ghana. They offer classes for adults and children, like painting, photography, ceramics & more.
Specialty Areas
Nuduke Foundation is the hub for the following;
· Art exhibitions
· Film screenings
· Readings
· Workshops
· Seminars
· Talks
· Performances
How They Started
The Nubuke Foundation was opened in 2006 and had been growing ever since. It is a non-profit organization that supports community development, education, health, and sustainability in Ghana.
It started with a group of volunteers who wanted to help people in need by building schools and providing clean water and other basic needs.
The foundation has had thousands of visitors over the past years, including celebrities like Shaggy.
Award
In 2016, Nubuke Foundation was awarded the Tourist Attraction of the Year by the Ghana Tourist Authority (Greater Accra Region).
Location: Lome Close, East Legon – Accra
Contact:
Ghana: +233 289 102 163
Ghana: +233 277 445 596
Website: https://www.nubukefoundation.org
10. 37D Gallery – Zambia
37D Gallery sits amongst the grandeur of Mater Dei, Zambia’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic institution.
The gallery was established in 1966 by a group of local and international artists who wished to preserve and disseminate African art to the world.
Top Artists that Display at 37D Gallery
· Arthur Daka
· Alfa-Alfi
· Andrew Makromallis
· Anusa Salanji
· Astrid Krag-Olsen
· Aubrey Chali
· Agness Yombwe
· Cece Miller
· Charles Chambata
· Danny Lwando
· David Makala
· Emily Kirby
· Emmanuel Chibaye
Contact Information:
7d Middleway, Kabulonga, Lusaka
+260 973 006 919
Website: https://www.thestartfoundationtrust.org
Final Words
The above is a list of African art galleries with an artistic twist. These artists can create visually pleasing and thought-provoking works with their unique styles.
These are some of the top art galleries in the area. They have history, run events and exhibits, and offer sales and displays from different artists.
