Unpacking Nigerian Creative Industry, Reflecting on The 58th Years of Independence

10/09/18 • 54 min

Nonhlanhla rides solo on this episode of Art Means Business, she hosted the delegates of The Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEEAN). The executives of the association visiting South Africa in celebration of the 58th-year independence of the federal republic of Nigeria. We are reflecting 58 years of independence and chatting about business relations between the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
FEEAN was born out of the dire need of the female artists who in the past find it difficult to come out during exhibitions with their male counterparts. Most of them after marriage or graduation abandon the profession for other things. Some female professional artists came together to channel their different challenges in society through art exhibitions, seminars, workshops and training for the younger ones, and also to advocate against inequality, rape, genital mutilation, violence, child abuse, sex slaves at conflict areas, adoption and so on.
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Making Art Work in Cote d’Ivoire – A Conversation with Cultural Attache

Today Africa, we draw your attention to the beautiful country of Cote d’Ivoire and what is happening in that countries art scene.
But first a bit of context.
For those of you who don’t know - Cote d’Ivoire attained independence from the French on the 7th of August 1960. Her first president was Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who ruled the country until 1993. After Felix Houphouet-Boigny ended, Cote d’Ivoire has experienced a coup d’etat, in 1999, and two religious - grounded civil wars. The first two took place between 2002 and 2007 and the second during 2010 – 2011.
Cote d’Ivoire has an income per capita (US$1014.4). She has the largest economy on the West African Economic and Monetary Union constituting 40% of the monetary union’s total GDP. She is the largest exporter of cocoa beans averaging US$2, 53 billion in earnings per year. Cote d’Ivoire also has 100,000 rubber farmers who earned an average of US$105 million per year. The country’s economy is largely market-based and still relies heavily on agriculture, with smallholder cash crop production being dominant.
This dependence on agriculture has encouraged Cote d’Ivoire to look at diversifying the economy. One of the ways in which the country is doing this is by developing creative industries.
To help us unpack this topic I have in the studio Mr. Behila Angama, the Cultural Attache of the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in South Africa
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Dos/Don'ts of Art Buying And Investment

Today on Art Means Business we explore the world of buying art for investment. Though relatively new on our continent, the business of buying/investing in the art (particularly black artists) is growing fast. As Art Historian Theminkosi Goniwe points out in his Mail & Guardian article of the 7th of September 2018, there has been a steady increase in exhibitions and art awards by black artists in recent years. These exhibitions are showcase splendid works and the presentation of these works to professional – international standards. “The prices and sales of artworks by select black artists have also swollen. And art audiences are feasting on these artworks, with some dealers and collectors competing overselling and possessing them,” [Theminkosi Goniwe]. Not only is there an increase in the number of works by black artists but there is also a rising black middle and upper class that is showing interest in the visuals arts. From appreciators to collectors, patrons and enthusiasts who are setting up art consultancies, working with (or establishing) art galleries.
Our conversation today unpacks the world investment art in the context of growing interest by the people of the African continent. We ask questions such as, how does the industry operate? What are the dos and don’ts when seeking to enter the world of investment art? What are the trends? And many more. To help us discuss this subject we have in our studio Thabo Seshoka. Thabo Seshoka is the Absa Assistant Art Curator. Thabo Seshoka is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Absa Gallery, while concurrently curating one of the largest Corporate Art Collections globally. Prior to joining the Absa Gallery, Thabo was the Acting Chief Curator and the Head of an Interdisciplinary Museum and it’s curator of Cultural History. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) degree from Rhodes University (South Africa), a Masters of Arts degree from the Nelson Mandela University (South Africa) and is current
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