Top African Artists to Watch in 2025/2026 — With Verified Records & Signals
Top African Artists to Watch · 2025/26
If you’re a collector (or advising one) and you want a concise, trustworthy shortlist, start here. This guide prioritizes Infinite Treasures artists and adds clear market signals you can verify: exhibition history, documented series, institutional ties, and (where applicable) public auction references.
1) Abiodun Olaku (Nigeria) — Painter
Why invest: Four decades of studio practice, a luminist command of atmosphere, and a mentorship legacy place Olaku among Nigeria’s most respected living painters. His works pair cultural memory with technical excellence—qualities that age well in collections.
Signature style: Luminous Lagos cityscapes and meditative landscapes; mastery of twilight, reflection, and still water.
Verified market highlights: Repeated appearances across reputable auction platforms; public records include lots such as Elemental Notes and It Is Finished. Typical secondary-price bands often cited in the market: US $5,000–$20,000+ (size, date, condition, and provenance dependent).
Where to begin: Prioritize works with strong provenance (gallery invoices, exhibition labels, catalog essays).
Artist page: View profile
2) Bunmi Babatunde (Nigeria) — Sculptor
Why invest: Senior sculptor and co‑founder of Universal Studios of Art (Lagos). Public commissions, long teaching/mentoring impact, and consistent gallery presence signal staying power.
Signature style: Refined figurative bronzes—elongated forms, classical balance, and dignified gesture.
Verified career markers: Yaba College of Technology training; public monuments and documented gallery projects; secondary-market visibility for select bronzes.
Where to begin: Seek documented bronzes (edition control and foundry details) tied to exhibitions or public-commission studies.
Artist page: View profile
3) Steve Ekpenisi (Nigeria) — Metal Sculptor
Why invest: A disciplined metalsmith whose series-based practice and studio rigor point to long‑term collectability. Affiliated with Universal Studios of Art.
Signature style: Figurative to semi‑abstract forms in stainless/mild steel and rods; meticulous, layered detailing.
Verified milestones: HND Sculpture (Auchi Polytechnic, best graduating student distinction, 2007/08). Solo exhibition Diary of the Iron Bender (Signature Beyond Gallery, Ikoyi, 2020). Documented series include Puzzle, Crown, and Ihuneya (Love).
Where to begin: Acquire works from named series with COA, process photos, and any exhibition labels from Diary of the Iron Bender.
Artist page: View profile
4) Opeyemi Olukotun (Nigeria/Canada) — Painter
Why invest: Fresh institutional validation with a 2025 solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba; curatorial framing strengthens long‑term narrative value.
Signature style: Emotionally charged realism—migration, memory, and light.
Verified milestones: Through My Window, There Is A View (AGSM Main Gallery, June 19 – Sept 6, 2025). Curatorial essay and catalog materials available.
Where to begin: Target exhibited works (retain wall labels/catalogs). Pair with the artist’s statement for provenance depth.
Artist page: View profile
5) Fidelis Eze Odogwu (Nigeria) — Metal Sculptor
Why invest: Recognized among Nigeria’s leading metal sculptors; long activity within the Lagos ecosystem and a record of solo exhibitions build credibility.
Signature style: Constructed steel forms—architectonic presence, rhythmic line, and weight.
Verified milestones: Auchi Polytechnic training; documented solos such as Square Pegs, Round Holes and Tenacity; corporate/private placements.
Where to begin: Favor works tied to solo shows or curated group exhibitions; request COA and fabrication notes (materials, welding, finishing).
Artist page: View profile
6) Funke (Oluwafunke) Oladimeji (Nigeria) — Emerging Painter
Why invest: Momentum artist with consistent studio practice and Lagos presentations; themes and nocturne palettes align with collector demand for narrative figuration.
Signature style: Layered figuration; sensitive palette; interior and city‑night atmospheres.
Verified signals: Primary‑market placements, curated features, and documented bodies of work (e.g., place‑based series). Early waitlist formation is a positive indicator.
Where to begin: Early works with complete COA, process images, and a short artist statement; prioritize cohesive series.
Artist page: View profile
How We Selected & Verify
Provenance & docs: COAs, invoices, exhibition labels, catalogs.
Institutional & curatorial signals: Museum/public gallery shows, residencies, essays.
Market signals: Public auction references (where applicable), consistent sales, waitlists.
Craft & narrative: Technical excellence joined to culturally grounded storytelling.
Longevity: Mentorship, teaching, public commissions, critical writing.
Pricing varies by size, date, condition, subject, and timing. Always compare like‑for‑like and request the most recent comps before purchase.
Collector Checklist (Save this)
Signed COA (artist or estate).
Provenance file (invoices, labels, catalogs, press).
Condition + process photos.
Fair comps (same medium/size/period).
Logistics plan (shipping, customs, insurance).
Ready to Collect With Confidence?
→ View Infinite Treasures Artists
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→ Why Provenance Protects Long‑Term Value
Benchmark Artists for Market Context (Not on Infinite Treasures)
These names help collectors calibrate expectations and understand broader demand for African and diasporic excellence. They’re reference points, not recommendations.
El Anatsui (Ghana/Nigeria) — Sculptor
Why a benchmark: Global museum acclaim and blue-chip market standing for radical material innovation in sculpture.
What it teaches collectors: Institutional validation + sustained innovation can anchor long‑term value.
Njideka Akunyili Crosby (Nigeria/US) — Painter
Why a benchmark: Extensive museum holdings and historically strong auction performance for narrative, mixed‑media figuration.
What it teaches collectors: Rich storytelling, technical mastery, and clear cultural voice resonate with curators and collectors alike.
Amoako Boafo (Ghana) — Painter
Why a benchmark: Fast rise through galleries, brand collaborations, and high visibility; later price normalization.
What it teaches collectors: Momentum can be volatile—focus on depth (exhibitions, texts, provenance) over hype cycles.
Zanele Muholi (South Africa) — Photography
Why a benchmark: Major institutional presence and documentary power in lens‑based practices.
What it teaches collectors: Museum engagement and social relevance can strengthen photography’s collectability and legacy.
How to use benchmarks: Compare signals (institutional shows, catalog essays, museum holdings, documented provenance) rather than prices alone—then apply those lenses to the artists you’re actively considering.
Quick FAQ for First‑Time or Diaspora Collectors
How do I verify African art?
Ask for a signed COA, a provenance file (invoices, wall labels, catalogs), process/condition photos, and—when possible—third‑party references (museum, gallery, or curator notes).
What affects price the most?
Size, medium, year, provenance, exhibition and publication history, subject matter, condition, and timing (market cycle).
Where should I buy?
From verified platforms and galleries with transparent provenance. Start with Infinite Treasures’ roster or the trusted platforms listed above.