Modern & Contemporary African Art

Irma Stern’s Swahili Woman is one of the highlighted lots in the upcoming Modern & Contemporary African Art auction, presented by Bonhams. The 1945 oil painting depicts an East African woman in a traditional hand-painted robe, slightly smiling and lost in thought. A South African painter, Stern was known for her Zanzibar paintings, mainly portraits of Arab and East African subjects. As the auction house notes, “In Zanzibar, she found a different stimulus in the narrow streets and ancient houses of Stone Town, and the striking faces and distinctive robes of its residents.”

This event offers 40 modern and contemporary African fine art pieces. Among them is Athi-Patra Ruga’s Ilulwane as uNtsikana, a portrait of a male figure. Many of Ruga’s works examine the physical body related to sexuality and culture— often expressed using the artist’s own experiences. The piece shows the titular character reflected in the mirror as the visionary Xhosa prophet, Ntsikana. Those interested in modern African art can also consider Toyin Ojih Odutola’s The Original (Binary State). Executed in 2008, the work shows the use of ballpoint pens, pencils, and ink. Register to bid for these lots by visiting Bonhams.