Africa’s imprint on the world of art

Didier Claes on the influence of African art across centuries.

African art has shaped modern visual culture in profound ways. Yet its influence is rarely understood as a continuous history of forms, symbols and artistic imagination that has nourished creative practice across the world.

For more than thirty years, Belgian-Congolese collector and gallerist Didier Claes has worked to challenge that perception. Invited by the City of Brussels to curate 'Africa Legacy: The Cradle of Art', he has brought together more than 250 classical and contemporary works from private and institutional collections, revealing African art as a living tradition.

Drawing on his expertise, Didier Claes will discuss the ideas behind the exhibition and his long-standing commitment to fostering a deeper international understanding of Africa's artistic legacy.

Malik Sidibé, «Nuit de Noël (Happy Club)» 1974 – 2006

©Malik Sidibé / ©Didier Claes

If you would like to attend Oken on Thursday and Friday evening after a talk please make sure to reserve well in advance. If oken happens to be full you are more than welcome to walk-in from 23H30 through your member priority area on Friday.

speaker

Didier Claes is a Belgian-Congolese gallerist and curator specialising in classical African art, with a particular focus on works from Central Africa. For more than three decades, he has worked with collectors, museums and cultural institutions to broaden the understanding of African art and its place within the wider history of art. A regular participant in leading international art fairs, including TEFAF, BRAFA and Frieze Masters, Claes has also curated major exhibitions and authored several landmark publications on African art. He has served as President of BRUNEAF and Vice-President of BRAFA, and he is a member of the Belgian Chamber of Art Experts, the Royal Chamber of Antique Dealers of Belgium and the French National Association of Antique Dealers. His expertise is regularly sought by leading auction houses.

moderator

Sorana Munsya is a Belgian-Congolese independent curator, writer, and editor based in Brussels. Her research is based on a critical exploration of contemporary African and diasporic narratives. She is a curatorial fellow of the FNRS–FRArt and the founding director of Nsomi, a platform dedicated to critical reflection on art and social practices related to Black life. She is currently co-directing her first documentary, Nos Errances. She serves on the board of ARGOS Centre for Audiovisual Arts and The Constant Now, and is an editor for GLEAN Art Magazine.

Africa’s imprint on the world of art

Didier Claes

Sorana Munsya

Become a member

Reach us

Africa’s imprint on the world of art

Didier Claes

Sorana Munsya

Become a member

Reach us

Newsletter