THEMANYPHACEDGOD

THEMANYPHACEDGOD, aka Samuel Blankson, from Ghana is recognized within the industry and celebrated for their unique painting style. Their work combines figurative art with powerful social commentary, generating robust discourse as they interrogate various themes from post colonialism to socio-economics and gender issues. This exceptional approach has garnered global recognition. Their artwork notably graced Black Coffee’s 2022 Grammy-winning album cover for “Subconsciously”. With their strong belief in connectivity, THEMANYPHACEDGOD collaborated with a plethora of celebrities including Themba, Denzel Curry, Famaye, amongst many others. As this artist’s popularity skyrockets and their distinct style captivates audiences, their trajectory makes them unquestionably one of the emerging figures from the African contemporary art firmament to closely follow.

Kudzanai-Violet Hwami

Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai-Violet Hwami, now based in London, has emerged as a prominent figure in contemporary African art. Renowned for her vibrant and patterned figurative paintings, Hwami’s work delves into the essence of growing up in Africa, exploring everyday life, identity, and memory, against the backdrop of political and social upheavals. Her pieces are deeply influenced by personal experiences and those of her community. They pay homage to African art traditions by blending local and Western influences with bold splashes of colour. What sets Hwami apart is her ability to address universal themes like love, loss, and resilience through local imagery and symbols, reflecting the intricate history of her country.

GreatJoy

Zimbabwe-born artist GreatJoy Ndlovu, now based in Johannesburg, is a rising force in the South African world of contemporary African art. Focusing on portraiture, Ndlovu’s figurative work transcends external reality, delving into the artist’s inner emotional landscape. He has the ability to amplify expressive brushstrokes, intricate pencil work, vibrant splashes of colour, and dynamic movement. His pieces are captivating explorations of personal emotion. Ndlovu has already earned recognition, securing a residency from the Southern African Foundation of Contemporary Art (SAFFCA). His sought after works grace private and corporate collections, including those of renowned figures like comedian and TV host Trevor Noah, ABSA Bank, South African Horizons, and Envisionit Capital Solutions. GreatJoy Ndlovu stands out as a noteworthy artist to watch in the contemporary African art market.

Zanele Montle

Zanele Montle is a visual artist and teacher based in Johannesburg. Passionate about the creative process and education, Montle’s works often display bright, block-coloured backgrounds with silhouetted black figures: everyday portraits of Africans honoured in paint. Indeed, Montle’s work stems from a very personal root, trying to capture the spirit of loved ones and family members in her work, searching for an anchor and a support system through each painting. While Zanele’s current work has a strong sense of design elements in an effortless, vivid approach to articulating its subject matter, her depiction of everyday life activities in acrylics reveals a continuous probing & questioning of what defines black identity.