Africa's Best Contemporary Art Galleries

The contemporary art scene in Africa is dynamic and diverse, teeming with extraordinary talented and passionate artists using their work to reflect the continent’s cultural diversity, natural beauty, and long history. Although formal exhibition spaces remain limited in many African countries, there are a growing number of exceptional independent art galleries across the continent promoting and exhibiting the best of African contemporary art. We explore ten of these galleries and offer a unique Special Offer promotion from one of the best galleries in Uganda.

 

 Afriart Gallery, Kampala, Uganda

A leading contemporary art gallery in the East African country of Uganda, the Afriart Gallery exhibits an exquisite selection of Ugandan and African art. Representing both well-established and rising artists, the gallery’s interior is filled with beautiful paintings and sculptures and has featured well-known local artists such as Edison Mugalu and Paulo Akiiki. Regularly exhibiting the artwork of different artists, Afriart has become a focal point amongst the artistic community in Kampala’s budding art scene. The gallery also provides art consulting services and runs a craft shop selling art books, ceramics, statues, traditional fabrics, locally designed clothes and recycled glassware. Housed in a conspicuous red double-storey building, the Afriart Gallery is hard to miss.
Afriart Gallery, Block 56, Kenneth Dale Drive, Kampala, Uganda, +256 04143 75455

 

Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa

The Goodman Gallery is at the forefront of contemporary art in South Africa, showcasing prominent artists and up-and-coming creative talents from South Africa, the rest of the African continent, and international artists who portray the African context through their artwork. With an ethos of developing artistic talent and cultural consciousness, the gallery focuses on artwork reflecting South Africa’s socio-political issues. Since its inception in 1966, the gallery has stood fast by its principles and encouraged all artists to showcase their work despite the stringent race laws during the apartheid era. Today the gallery represents about 40 South African and African artists including William Kentridge, conceptual artist Kendell Geers, and photographer David Goldblatt.
Goodman Gallery, 163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg, South Africa, +27 11 788 1113;
Fairweather House (3rd Floor), 176 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 21 462 7573

Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria

A leading contemporary art gallery in Nigeria, Omenka Gallery showcases the work of emerging and acclaimed Nigerian and international artists, and houses one of the most comprehensive collections of the renowned Nigerian painter and sculptor Ben Enwounwu.

Hosting solo exhibitions, group shows, and large, themed exhibitions, Omenka also participates in a number of international art fairs, runs an active publications program, and facilitates workshops to encourage critical development and dialogue on contemporary art in the country and the continent at large. Omenka regularly collaborates with international artists such as South African photographer Cedric Nunn, Angolan artist Manuela Sambo, and London-born Ransome Stanley, to create a culture of experimentation and creative exchange between local and international artists.
Omenka Gallery, 24 Modupe Alakija Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria, +234 1 818 45 53331