Upholding Integrity in African Art: A Call for Truth at Every Level
Integrity is a choice at every step. From creation to collection, African art deserves systems that honour the truth behind every piece. Source: AI generated
In an era where African art is gaining global attention and rising market value, the call for integrity has never been louder—or more necessary. At Infinite Treasures, we believe that African art cannot stand tall on the global stage without the pillars of honesty, accountability, and trust upholding it. It is not enough to celebrate the art; we must also protect the systems and values that sustain its credibility.
Forgeries: A Direct Attack on Trust
Forgery is not just theft of form—it is a theft of story, culture, and soul. According to the Fine Art Expert Institute (FAEI), more than 50% of artworks circulating globally may not be authentic. This is alarming, especially in emerging markets like African art, where verification systems are still developing.
At Infinite Treasures, we do not condone forgeries. Period. Every piece in our collection is verified with documented provenance, artist confirmation, and gallery transparency. The trust of collectors, and the legacy of artists, must not be compromised for profit.
Integrity from Artists: Honouring the Partnership
We honour the calling of the artist. But with that calling comes responsibility. We have observed a damaging trend: artists bypassing gallery agreements or private exhibitions to undercut curators and sell directly to buyers behind the scenes.
This may appear like a shortcut to personal gain, but it ultimately damages:
The value of their own work
The trust between artists and patrons
The reputation of African art as a whole
This is not hustle. It is compromise. We believe in fairness, clarity, and integrity in every agreement. True success comes not just from talent, but from trustworthiness.
Integrity from Collectors: Do Not Cut Corners
Collectors also play a critical role. When buyers sidestep proper channels to seek cheaper prices or acquire works from unverified sources, they perpetuate a system that undermines African artists and galleries.
Buying a forgery or purchasing stolen work may save money today, but it destroys credibility tomorrow.
We call on collectors to:
Request provenance documents
Purchase through trusted platforms or verified exhibitions
Invest in the ecosystem that builds, not breaks, African art
Integrity from Galleries: Reject Black Tokenism
Cultural custodians in conversation — protecting African art requires dialogue, accountability, and shared vision. Source: AI generated
Unfortunately, some galleries and agents see African art only as trend capital. They inflate prices, cut in excessive middlemen, and care more about the exoticism of the work than the wellbeing of the artist.
At Infinite Treasures, we reject this exploitation.
We build direct, respectful relationships with our artists.
We provide clear compensation structures and artist-centered promotion.
We educate buyers on cultural context, not just market value.
Black tokenism has no place in our gallery. Our foundation is built on integrity.
A Better Standard for African Art
If African art is to take its rightful place on the global stage, it must do so with integrity. Not just in brushstroke or bronze, but in how deals are made, works are handled, and legacies are protected.
The global art world is watching. Let what they see be excellence, fairness, and truth.
Our Commitment at Infinite Treasures
We pledge to uphold integrity at every point of the art journey:
From artist to gallery
From gallery to collector
From culture to the world
We do this not just for the success of today, but for the trust of tomorrow.
Learn how we verify every work we offer
Transparency, documentation, and trust built into every step.
Explore Our Verification Process →
Partner with us in building a trustworthy African art market
If you’re a collector, artist, or curator aligned with integrity, we welcome you.
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