Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !

43 Min Read
ALI DRABO BURKINA FASO - COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024
ALI DRABO BURKINA FASO - COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

The power of photography is a powerful instrument of inspiration, education and a catalyst for meaningful change,” says Aïda Muluneh, founder and director ofAfrica Foto Fair. For the 3rd edition of its program, this year’s fair will run until November 30 at theInstitut Français de la Côte d’Ivoire (IFCI). As immersive and stimulating as its predecessor,Africa Foto Fair (AFF) 2024 promises a rich and entertaining program for visitors, showcasing Africa in all its forms through the photographic lens of artists from the four corners of the globe.

Bringing the world to Africa and bringing Africa to the world through images “ is the aim of theAfrica Foto Fair. Much more than an art event, the fair represents an online platform for connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa through images. Its vision is to create a global community that fosters exchanges and supports the emergence of African photography. The 2nd edition of the program was a resounding success, featuring 59 photographers from 24 countries in Africa and beyond. The participants in this year’s edition captured the multi-faceted creativity of the photographic medium as a powerful art form and storytelling tool in this contemporary era.

This year, Aïda Muluneh is back with an even denser and more captivating program. In fact, theIFCI is preparing to welcome the photographs of 60 international photographers, including 45 from Africa, 05 from Asia, 07 from Europe and 03 from North America. In addition to this large-scale representation, Africa Foto Fair 2024 will be showcasing a special collection supported by the End Fund, entitled “ Reframing Neglect ”. A social and artistic project addressing the theme of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), it features works by seven emerging contemporary artists: Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia), Ala Kheir (Sudan), John Kapalo (Mali), Meseret Argaw (Ethiopia), Mustafa Saeed (Somaliland), Omoregie Osakpolor (Nigeria), and Sarah Wisawasa (Uganda).

Africa Foto Fair 2024 is a major event, echoing the dynamism of African photographic art and raising awareness of the continent’s social realities on the international stage.

Africa Foto Fair 2024: discover the participating African artists!

The photography fair lights up with a remarkable array of art players from the four corners of the globe. Among the African talents selected for this event celebrating the continent’s richness on the international stage, 45 passionate artists assert themselves, determined to unveil Africa’s vibrant creativity and cultural diversity.

Adedolapo Boluwatife

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ADEDOLAPO BOLUWATIFE NIGERIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Photographer and filmmaker from Lagos, Nigeria, born in 1996, Adedolapo Boluwatife captures social realities through his photographic lens, highlighting many contemporary issues. ForAfrica Foto Fair 2024, the Nigerian photographer proposes “ Invitation to Invade ”, a work that describes the impact of plastic pollution through metaphorical images to elicit emotional reactions and raise awareness. His art calls for awareness of the impact of plastic pollution, and calls for ecological behavior as a way of transforming its devastating effects on the environment into a work of art.

Ali Drabo

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ALI DRABO BURKINA FASO – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Ali Drabo, photographer from Burkina-Faso, dedicates her art to capturing unique moments and exploring visual beauty full-time. Passionate about the photographic medium, Ali Drabo offers an exclusive collection of five digital works for the fair entitled “ Mother Nature ”. A series of works that individually highlight the importance of preserving the deteriorating environment. Through art, they raise awareness of the urgent need to harmonize our relationship with nature.

Amanuel Sileshi

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
AMANUEL SILESHI ETHIOPIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Amanuel Sileshi, an Ethiopian photojournalist based in Addis Ababa, is renowned for his reporting on current affairs, conflict and political reform. For his participation in theAfrica Foto Fair 2024, his work tells the story of the rebirth of Tigray’s capital after a devastating conflict. A revival that begins with the return to action of their soccer teams competing in national leagues such as the Ethiopian1st league. Beyond this sporting resurrection, Amanuel Sileshi depicts the glimmer of hope and unity that emerges from this traumatized community.

Antalya Jaël

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ANTALYA JAËL RDC – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Antalya Jaël, an artist originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently lives in Kinshasa, where she is studying photography at theAcadémie des Beaux-Arts. In her recent projects, she experiments with an art that probes her origins and identity, highlighting the impact of human exploitation on landscapes. The project “ MIZIZI ” (roots in Swahili) presented atAfrica Foto Fair 2024 explores the legacy of Arab occupation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on concepts of identity, nation and memory, as well as the complex consequences of centuries of migration and trade.

Anthony Monday

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ANTHONY MONDAY NIGERIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

A visual storyteller who later turned to documentary and conceptual photography, Anthony Monday hails from Lagos, Nigeria. For the artist, photography becomes a means of communication through which he explores personal, socio-cultural and other issues. AFF 2024 presents an opportunity for Anthony Monday to explore self-expression, acceptance and fashion through “ Na Young We Young, No Be Craze We Craze ”, a new work in a world where conformity is celebrated and difference feared.

Apah Benson

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
APAH BENSON NIGERIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

A visual artist and photographer from Delta State, Nigeria, Apah Benson began her career in poetry, before moving into fine art photography and portraiture. Her work celebrates dark skin tones and explores socio-political narratives through captivating images and vivid colors. ForAFF 2024, Apah Benson reveals the sad realities behind the bright smiles and cheerful figures. She exposes the constant struggle to maintain a semblance of cheerfulness in a world where happiness depends on society’s gaze.

Aubin Mukoni

Aubin Mukoni, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a passionate young photographer and video artist. A silent witness to struggles and hopes, a storyteller of the soul, the artist captures the ephemeral and is at one with his camera and the present moment, conveying a unique depth in his shots where time and emotion seem frozen.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
AUBIN MUKONI RDC – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Through his lens, Aubin Mukoni has traversed steep paths, heart-rending conflicts and solemn commemorations. From the war in the DRC to the shadows of the Rwandan genocide, all have found refuge in his images. For this edition of the photography fair, the photographer submits a project opening a window onto the courage and inner strength of these war-displaced people. It aims to highlight their stories, tell their stories and raise awareness of the situation they find themselves in.

Blessing Atas

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
BLESSING ATAS NIGERIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Blessing Atas, photographer and storyteller, is a visual artist based in Abuja, Nigeria. In her art practice, she opts for an innovative style, assimilating tradition, culture and contemporary life. The African artist proposes exclusive works that address the environment, but also life, with a view to bringing out photographs that arouse emotion in the public. AFF 2024 is an opportunity for Blessing Atas to use her work to communicate lightness and a sense of freedom in everyday life. She presents a special collection inspired by past struggles and the desire to break free from constraints.

Charles Egbengwu

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
CHARLES EGBENGWU NIGERIA – Africa Foto Fair 2024

Born in Nigeriain 1998, Charles Egbengwu is a photographer known for his experimental approach to creating surreal, dreamlike images. Through subtle manipulation of light and shadow, the artist aims to provoke deep introspection and initiate a meaningful discourse on the human experience. TheAfrica Foto Fair 2024 showcases his collection, which immerses the public in the immensity and complexity of human feelings. A unique series of works in which each depicts with immersive visuals a specific feeling ranging from perseverance to uncertainty, loss, resilience, desire, acceptance, among others.

Chelsea Odufu

Chelsea Odufu, a first-generation Nigerian and Guyanese multidisciplinary filmmaker and artist from Newark, New Jersey, works in the fields of storytelling, experimental film, video art, installation and photography. In her complex approach to art, she struggles to determine how traditional aspects of African and Caribbean culture are preserved in the face of urbanization and globalization.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
CHELSEA ODUFU NIGERIA – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

The AFF 2024 public will have the pleasure of discovering “L’or qui a son propre esprit”, a work that explores the Akan people’s deep bond with gold in Côte d’Ivoire. A presentation through which Chelsea Odufu captures the profound influence of gold on the history of this African people, highlighting their territorial expansion, wealth and power, from a futuristic yet pre-colonial perspective.

Dean Marshall Mumble

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
DEAN MARSHALL MUMBLE IVORY COAST – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Evolving in an ecological artistic approach, Dean Marshall Mumble reveals an authentic and touching art, involving young and old generations. Born in Abidjan in 1983, he has always been passionate about art and its many branches, particularly photography. For the 3rd edition of the Africa Foto Fair, the artist-photographer offers a blend of genres that is sure to win over all photography lovers, inviting spectators on a lively visual journey to the heart of everyday African life.

Eric Adé Tanauh

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ERIC ADÉ TANAUH IVORY COAST – Courtesy by Africa Foto Fair 2024

Better known by his stage name Rickii Ly, Eric Adé Tanauh is an Ivorian photographer and art director whose work combines Africanism and futurism. Through this approach, he aims to reflect the themes of Afro-futurism and the vast potential of Africa in his photography. ForAfrica Foto Fair 2024, he proposes “ Humanien Being ”, a series of captivating portraits, documenting the unique way of life of Humaniens, his fictional beings on Earth. Here, Eric Adé Tanauh depicts a singular world, blending reality and surrealism to suit his approach celebrating futuristic Africanness and offering an innovative look at Africa’s infinite possibilities.

Eyoeal Kefyalew

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
EYOEAL KEFYALEW ETHIOPIA – Courtesy by AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Combining graphic design, documentary and street photography, EyoealKefyalew offers exclusive art that captures the public’s attention. The photographer, originally fromAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, is taking advantage of the 3rd AFF to present a personal project. He offers visitors an insight into his family life, but also into the turbulence and lasting impact of war. Between archival photos and personal anecdotes, Eyoeal Kefyalew offers a real insight into his family life.

Fawaz Oyedeji

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
FAWAZ OYEDEJI NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1997 , Fawaz Oyedeji is a historian specializing in documentary photography. During the art fair, the artist takes the public into the hustle and bustle of urban streets during election periods. A veritable visual propaganda, Fawaz Oyedeji ‘s shots depict the fever of Nigeria’s political parties, which every four years flood urban spaces with posters and banners. All in the hope of making a name for themselves and attracting public support, before fading into oblivion along with the promises made once the campaign period is over.

Genaye Eshetu

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
GENAYE ESHETU ETHIOPIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

A humanitarian photographer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Genaye Eshetu sees photography as a powerful tool for social change. For the artist, it’s a tool for raising awareness, promoting empathy and, ultimately, inspiring action. Through her lens, she strives to capture the humanity, resilience and hope that exist even in the most difficult of circumstances. ForAFF 2024, Genaye Eshetu brings to the fore touching photographs of a collective of individuals at a waste storage site in the Kolfe region of Addis Ababa. These moving images depict the struggle of a number of people for a dignified life and ecological living.

Gray Area Studios Gh

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
GRAY AREA STUDIOS GHANA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Gray Area Studios Ghana, was founded in 2022 by Mr. Sampong, Dennison Osei and Edem Adjah. A leading creative studio in Ghana, it is committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity, harmoniously fusing hyper-realistic computer-generated images, traditional photography and captivating video. For this 3rd edition of AFF,Gray Area Studios unveils “ Neverland ”, a sanctuary where acceptance knows no bounds and the celebration of diversity is woven into the very fabric of its existence. A unique world where cultural disparity and identity become the vibrant emblem of this kingdom apart.

Gus Sarkodee

Augustus Poku Sarkodee, born in 2000, is a portrait and editorial photographer from Accra, Ghana. He adopts a singular creative style, celebrating human connections and expressions through culturally rich shots, immersive surreal compositions and vibrant bright colors.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
GUS SARKODEE GHANA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Through the photography fair, Gus Sarkodee reaffirms the importance of music within African and black communities with his series “Soul Sounds: The Symphonic Convergence of Man and Music”. Transcending linguistic, cultural and geographical barriers, music emerges as a means of universal gathering. A powerful power depicted by the artist photographer through his magnetic monochrome photos exploring musicality with instruments such as the Axatse and the Grand Piano.

Hanae Boutayeb

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
HANAE BOUTAYEB MOROCCO – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Born in 1990, Hanae Boutayeb is a Moroccan photographer from Oujda. She has developed a strong interest in photography and storytelling, and today devotes her work to topics such as cultural heritage, roots and crafts. Hanae Boutayeb unveils for AFF 2024 a collection of works inviting you to dive into the great tannery of Marrakech in Morocco. The idea behind this project is to highlight the work of the artisans of a tannery and to celebrate all the workers who keep this Moroccan heritage alive, despite the many socio-economic challenges they face.

Joseph Awumee

Joseph Kofi Awumee, born in 1998 in Tema, Ghana, is a visual artist who explores the depths of the human experience through photography and metal sculptures. He captures the intangible nuances of the human condition and believes in art as a tool that can provoke thought, stir emotion, invite introspection and spark dialogue.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
JOSEPH KOFI AWUMEE GHANA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

The art fair presents his photographic series “Dark Clouds” where he explores the intangible, capturing the turbulent emotions of those who struggle with depression and anxiety through conceptual photography. Joseph Kofi Awumee’s goal is to transport viewers into the inner world of mental health struggles where each visitor will experience the distressing “dark clouds” that many face.

Khalid Alarabi

Film and photography are Khalid Alarabi’s mediums of choice for his striking visual narratives. A passionate Sudanese artist, he opts for a versatile photographic style, from street and portraiture to cinematic documentaries and commercial work.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
KHALID ALARABI SUDAN – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

He offers “Dear Home”, a personal photographic series born from the chaotic moments he spent in Khartoum during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Through his lens, Khalid Alarabi shares his harrowing experience of the conflict and offers a tribute to the courage of those who navigate the chaos of war and the difficult choices it imposes, while carrying the innate connection with one’s homeland.

Kevin Kimani

Kevin Kimani, is a self-taught photographer and artist based in Nairobi, Kenya, and also co-partner of The Photo House (The pH), a photography and design studio. In his creative practice, Kevin Kimani continuously explores new forms of art and photography with the aim of offering timeless and immersive works.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
KEVIN KIMANI (KYMANI) KENYA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

For the Africa Foto Fair 2024, the contemporary photographer highlights images from his series “AGULET“. Inspired by the name of the muse, this collection of works offers an intriguing complex of form and silhouette, color and contrast. Free of interpretation, Kevin Kimani invites the viewer to formulate their own understanding by interacting with the images exhibited.

Landry Ndungi

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Landry Ndungi is a photographer living and working in Kinshasa. His work opens a real window on the daily life of the inhabitants of his city. Developing a unique approach to his art, the Congolese artist offers “Lipipi” for this 3rd edition of the AFF.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
LANDRY NDUNGI RDC – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Meaning scar in Lingala, this is a project that invites the public to give an expressive character to its stigmata. Today, carriers of prejudices in this contemporary society, Landry Ndungi invites us to consider scars as a form of visual language capable of interpreting our memory, both temporal and timeless.

Mahamadou Hamidou

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MAHAMADOU HAMIDOU NIGER – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Mahamadou Hamidou, born in 1996 in Niamey, Niger, is a computer engineer and audiovisual producer with a passion for photography. He explores various photographic styles, while focusing mainly on photojournalism. In his series of works, Mohamadou Hamidou highlights an ancestral Nigerien practice, threatened by the violence of the conflicts of Islamist insurgents in Niger. Hunting, a flagship activity practiced in the sandy steppes of the Sahel, is revived through the efforts of Abdou Kouda, who is trying to pass on this tradition to future generations.

Malick Welli

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MALICK WELLI SENEGAL – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Navigating between photography, fine arts and installation, Malick Welli offers a mixed art exploring the notions of spirituality, power and religion as well as their impact on visual culture. A visual artist from Dakar, Senegal, he presents for this edition of the photography fair the series “The ANONYM(US)“, a collection of works that questions the depth of the links between man and nature by drawing on the spiritual traditions of the Manjak people and African spirituality.

Marc Désiré Zahui

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
ZAHUI MARC DÉSIRÉ IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

ZAHUI Marc Désiré, born in 1997 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is a computer scientist by training who discovered a passion for visual and plastic arts very early on. Today, he dedicates himself to photography, creating a particular universe where an Afro-futurist and minimalist aesthetic is expressed. ZAHUI Marc Désiré, through works exhibited at AFF 2024, addresses the complex theme of love. The most authentic feeling that can exist in this world, but which unfortunately can also give rise to a toxic environment if misunderstood or misused.

Mariette Kouamé

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
KOUAME MARIETTE IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

KOUAME Kossua Bini Mariette is a multidisciplinary Ivorian artist, interested in several forms of art including photography, music, writing, and audiovisual production. Her goal is to provoke questioning and introspection through her work. For this third edition of the photography fair, she is offering “The Renaissance“, a work symbolizing a new cycle, a new reincarnation abolishing the negative and welcoming the light.

Maroussia Mbaye

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MAROUSSIA MBAYE SENEGAL – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

A Senegalese visual artist whose practice is centered on documentary photography, Maroussia Mbaye develops a particular interest in social divisions, human complexities and inequalities. She discovers new perspectives of the world through her travels and her photographs including the funny, the beautiful, the terrifying, among others. The Africa Foto Fair 2024 welcomes “mirrors of a continent at the crossroads and reflections of hopes and wills“. A project born from the desire of the Senegalese artist to immortalize the dreams, the history and the faces of the anonymous youth of the cocoa community of Armanikro.

Marta Camarada

A documentary and street photographer from Angola, Marta Camarada is committed to authentically capturing and telling the diverse stories that unfold across Africa. Operating in an environment where African women photographers are underrepresented, the artist, through her lens, reveals the raw beauty, resilience and vibrant cultures that interrupt the African experience.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MARTA CAMARADA ANGOLA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

AFF 2024 presents a collection of five captivating photographs by Marta Camarada. Photographs that paint a vivid portrait of Angola and offer a visual journey to visitors to the different places in the country. A project that allows the world to have a glimpse of the profound beauty and rich experiences that emerge when we connect with the environment around us.

Massow Ka

Born in 1990 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Massow Ka, also known as El Junio, is a self-taught photographer and documentary filmmaker. His work explores ecological, social, cultural and memorial issues related to national politics. The 3rd edition of the photography fair highlights a series of works by Massow Ka that address the work of women salt collectors in Gandiol.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MASSOW KA SENEGAL – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

It reveals images that question the relationship between humans and the environment, while inviting reflection on the impact of human activity on these natural landscapes. Going beyond introspection, Massow Ka’s representation also presents the working conditions of women, while paying tribute to a community in harmony with its environment.

Mohamed Aly Diabaté

Mohamed Aly Diabaté is an Ivorian filmmaker and photojournalist with a master’s degree in communication and audiovisual production. In his art practice, Mohamed Aly Diabaté addresses crucial themes such as illegal migration, the rights and dignity of women and children, and the promotion of sports in Africa. His approach educates and raises awareness among young people about crucial issues in contemporary society, thus contributing to positive and lasting change.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MOHAMED ALY DIABATÉ IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

The artist photographer takes the viewer on a journey to discover the passion for football in Africa through a captivating series of photographs taken during the CAN 2023 in Ivory Coast. These shots capture not only the action on the pitch, but also the essence of the passion shared by millions of fans on the continent. Through this exhibition, Mohamed Aly Diabaté introduces football in Africa as more than just entertainment, but as a vibrant expression of pride, tradition and collective identity.

Mohamed Mahdy

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
MOHAMED MAHDY EGYPT — COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Born in 1996, Egypt, Mohamed Mahdy is a visual storyteller from Alexandria who focuses on hidden communities and cultural issues. By collaborating with his subjects, he creates powerful collective narratives. AFF 2024 is showcasing his work “Here, The Doors Don’t Know Me,” a collection inspired by the plight of a once-quaint fishing community in Alexandria. This performance aims to capture their stories, engage with the community, and preserve their memories through candid photographs and letters. The exhibition is a testament to their resilience and unity in the face of a government-orchestrated demolition program.

Nadi Jessica

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
NADI JESSICA IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Nadi Jessica, an Ivorian photographer, uses photography as a means of communicating with the world. She explores different types of photography such as documentary, conceptual, humanitarian and self-portraiture to convey powerful messages and tell the stories of the people she meets. “Tépényé (my place)”, her series, presented at AFF 2024, explores the quest of African women to find their place in society. Through evocative images, she challenges stereotypes, depicting African women as strong, intelligent and capable individuals.

Neec Nonso

Neec Nonso is a visual artist from Nigeria, who explores various mediums including photography, performance and art. Her work blends documentary with elaborate compositions, capturing Nigerian life and cultural customs. Driven by the desire to spark conversations, he aims to evoke emotions and encourage reflection through his visual art.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
NEEC NONSO NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

For the 3rd edition of the African Photography Fair, Neec Nonso unveils, “Heads of State“, portraits of leaders devoid of conscience, symbolizing the void of leadership. This series combines photography and AI to critique the political landscape of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. This work invites viewers to confront the hard truths about leadership, advocating for accountability and a shift towards true democracy.

N’cho Jean-Louis

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
JEAN-LOUIS N’CHO IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Jean-Louis N’cho, an Ivorian photographer based in France, highlights through his art, the beauty and diversity of Africa’s cultures. Using simple mobile phones, he believes that it is creativity, not equipment, that translates the essence of a work. Jean-Louis N’cho shares with the IFCI audience his rediscovery of the city of Abidjan. Indeed, he unveils immersive images of the great Ivorian metropolis sharing a glimpse of the rich cultural and traditional mosaic of the city.

Oc George

OC George is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and art director. His work spans new media, drawing and conceptual art. He explores meaning as well as socio-cultural and political layers in Nigeria through the prisms of memory and identity.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
OC GEORGE NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

He presents the series “Borrowed Histories“, a collection of works that examines the complexities of public space and how our individual private spaces infiltrate and merge into each other. Pushing the boundaries of documentary and fictional narrative, the collages explore themes of state failure, class and state, gender equality, among others.

Oluyomi Akinnagbe

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
OLUYOMI AKINNAGBE NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Oluyomi Akinnagbe, a Nigerian artist, uses documentary photography and other available media to unravel human stories and interpret them in ways that challenge existential norms created by society. For his participation in the photography fair, he proposes a series of works that address the severe heatwaves in the Sudano-Sahelian region of northern Nigeria. Its climatic instabilities have physical, ecological and socio-economic consequences, impacts that disrupt the daily lives of local populations.

Ruby Okoro

Ruby Okoro, a Nigerian artist, began his foray into photography as a way to translate his experiences and channel his creative visions. He continually experiments with different techniques and visual presentations while honing his craft, making photography a tool for transformative storytelling and positive change.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
x 2_Igba Nkea 2022 © Ruby Okoro

AFF 2024 presents itself as an opportunity for Ruby Okoro to explore the concept of what our African utopia signifies, contrasting the past and the future by offering a visual glimpse of what fashion was, is and will be. The exhibition also touches on the foundations of our identity in existence over time in different multiverses.

Samar Baiomy

An Egyptian visual storyteller and professor at the Faculty of Art and Design, Cairo State University, Samar Baiomy focuses on documenting the collective memories of places through mediums such as narrative photography, video art, installation, and virtual reality.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
SAMAR BAIOMY EGYPT – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Samar Baiomy proposes a project to preserve the memory of El-Mex in Alexandria as a sincere attempt to document the rich history and vibrant community of this place before it disappears. This endeavor is a testament to the power of place to shape our lives and the importance of preserving the essence of a treasured place before it is lost.

Sara Younes

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
SARA YOUNES EGYPT – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

Sara Younes, a visual storyteller, challenges the concept of boundaries through her work. With a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media, she works freelance in Egypt and exhibits in the region. For her participation in the Africa Foto Fair 2024, she proposes a singular project, studying Danny’s journey. An enriching approach exploring the life of the individual with the Parkour community in Alexandria while reflecting on the definition of limits and the concepts of overcoming obstacles.

Seun Adeniyi

Seun Adeniyi is an independent documentary photographer from Nigeria who focuses on social impact stories. With a sociolinguistic background, he captures cultural and humanitarian stories, exploring social, political and cultural values. His participation in the photography fair highlights the uniqueness of cultural festivals.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
SEUN ADENIYI NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

These celebrations are showcases that beautifully showcase cultures from around the world, blending beauty, color, and fashion to express each culture’s language and heritage. These festivals are a reminder of the intricate connections between peoples and traditions, highlighting how each culture contributes to the collective human experience and enriches the world.

Tatenda Chidora

A commercial and fine art photographer from Zimbabwe, Tatenda Chidora’s contemporary style is representative of the global movement celebrated as “New African Photography.” He offers striking visuals, often captured from new and unexpected angles, giving his subjects the appearance of heroes.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
TATENDA CHIDORA ZIMBABWE – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

In her entry for Africa Foto Fair 2024, Tatenda Chidora offers a new perspective on the world-changing pandemic, Covid-19. Removing it from the terror and grief it inspires, it is used here as an invisible backdrop. The series explores the physical and conceptual nature of the black body and its relationship to the photographic agency with inventive explorations of belonging and vulnerability.

Taiwo Aina

A Nigerian independent visual storyteller specializing in documenting real-life experiences, Taiwo Aina focuses her art on everyday social issues, particularly those related to entrepreneurship, women and agriculture.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
TAIWO AINA NIGERIA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

For this spotlight on African photography, Taiwo Aina presents “Game of Confidence”, a visual project that explores women’s boxing. A series of works that addresses notions of gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as the importance of the sport and its implications as a professional boxer in a big city like Lagos.

Thulani Kubeka

Born in Soweto, South Africa, Thulani Kubeka is an example of creative ingenuity and artistic flair. Known for his exceptional photography, he has left a significant mark on the visual arts scene. In his photographic series “Kolorblind”, Thulani Kubeka immerses the IFCI exhibition space in the vibrant world of a Soweto punk band.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
THULANI KUBEKA SOUTH AFRICA – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

The artist explores the striking contrast between the societal prism and the intricate fabric of their lives. The work captures moments of resilience, defiance and camaraderie. It also highlights the transformative power of music, identity and culture to transcend barriers and foster understanding.

Togola Mohamed

TOGOLA MOHAMED is a passionate photographer born in Abobo, Abidjan. He presents monochrome photographs through which he documents the daily lives of the people of Abobo. His work is distinguished by a skillful use of natural light and a keen attention to detail, allowing him to capture authentic and moving images.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
TOGOLA MOHAMED IVORY COAST – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

The series he is proposing for the photography fair is part of an ambitious project he has been developing since his early days in photography. Entitled “Another Look at Abobo”, the series offers a new perspective on his home town, a glimpse of fascinating stories that he tells through his lens.

Yannis Guibinga

A 28-year-old photographer from Libreville, Gabon, Yannis Davy Guibinga is based in Montreal, Canada. His photography explores the diverse identities and cultures of Africa and its diaspora, while documenting a new generation of Africans embracing their multifaceted identities amidst rampant globalization and Western cultural influences.

Beyond borders: contemporary african art shines at the Africa Foto Fair 2024 !
YANNIS DAVY GUIBINGA GABON – COURTESY BY AFRICA FOTO FAIR 2024

AFF 2024 presents its collection “TALES FROM SHIRA ISLAND“. An exclusive series that showcases the photographer’s interest in storytelling and mythology, in a cohesive visual tapestry, celebrating African cultural heritage and merging imagination and tradition.

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