Trends in the African art market

Season 2, Episode 15

Duration: 44.26m

In this episode we are joined by an eminent art law expert, Amanda Gray from leading law firm Mishcon de Reya’s Art Law and Luxury Assets Group.

Gray takes us through the issues and trends in the global art market, and the kinds of predicaments and transactions she helps her diverse clients with. She also talks us through issues to be aware of in the art world, particularly due diligence around provenance, potential money laundering, and cultural sensitivities as well as how these have been affected by lockdown.

We discuss the recent surge of interest in African art and the drivers for the rise in artists, collectors and curators from the continent, and how this is disrupting and decentralising the cultural centre from Western Europe alongside the rise of interest in Asian art.

We also discuss the issue of restitution, and how collections in Europe have been returning cultural treasures – some of them priceless – to their countries of origin. Gray talks us through the recent Savoy/Sarr report commissioned by President Macron on acquisitions made in the French colonial era.

Finally we look ahead to what’s next  for the global art market, and how issues such as non-fungible tokens and other digital assets could radically democratise and change the way we consume and view art.

Read more

• Sotheby’s modern and contemporary African art auction 31 March 2021
• Cultural resurgence highlights Africa’s place in the new world
• Africa 1:54 Art Fair
• Jack Bell Gallery, London
• Johannesburg Art Fair 

Credits

Host and Executive Producer: Desné Masie
Co-producer: Peter Doerrie
Digital Editor: Charles Dietz
Design: Jason Venkatasamy

Music: Corporate Uplifting Chill by MusicLFiles
Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/