African Modern & Contemporary Art

Bonhams are the global market leaders for Modern & Contemporary African Art. Our auctions offer paintings, sculptures, works on paper and ceramics by artists including Aboudia, El Anatsui, Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, Ladi Kwali, Maggie Laubser, Zanele Muholi, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Gerard Sekoto, Irma Stern, Papa Ibra Tall and Portia Zvavahera. We hold auctions in London, Paris and New York, along with curated online auctions such as A focus on William Kentridge and Abuja! Ladi Kwali & The Art of Clay.

Our world auction records include William Kentridge's Soho in Bed with Rhinoceros' (Drawing for Mine) - a record for Kentridge's drawing from an animation - and Colonial Landscape - Waterfall, 1995-1996 - a record for Kentridge's colonial landscape series, as well as Yusuf Grillo's The Seventh Knot. We also set multiple auction records for women artists through Abuja! Ladi Kwali & The Art of Clay.

In 2023, the department has achieved over £6 million in sales with Ben Enwonwu's Yoruba Woman in Blue realising £686,200 (with fees) against an estimate of £250,000 – 350,000. Consignments are open for our forthcoming auction taking place in Paris in November, and our London auction in March 2024.

Buying and selling African modern and contemporary art at Bonhams
Bonhams African Modern & Contemporary Art department has specialists and representatives in the UK, Europe, America, Asia and Africa, including offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Lagos, Nigeria.

With offices and representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams gives buyers and sellers access to a global network of collectors and unparalleled marketing resources to achieve the highest price and level of client satisfaction possible. Contact a specialist directly for more information or submit your item online for a free auction estimate.