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Global interest
The rise in fame of contemporary African artists on the international stage is also starting to fuel solo exhibitions abroad, such as the one offered by the Brooklyn Museum in 2013 on Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose "New World Map" went for a record £541,250 at auction in 2012.
Yet, it's not easy to decode why the trend has exploded only just recently.
According to Peppiatt, there are two reasons: "Until about 15 years ago there was no email, there was virtually no internet and you can't do these sales without modern communication.
"I also think it has to do with the general globalization of the art world. People are now much more used to seeing other cultures' art at auction."
Ghanaian artist El Anatsui.
A bright future
At the moment, large international players such as Bonhams still hold their events in Europe or the U.S. "I think it'll be a while before we start auctioning works in situ in Africa," said Peppiatt.
"We have offices in Lagos and Johannesburg, I think it will remain that way for a bit. There's also the advantage that there's a whole structure of art dealing and art selling is here in London -- the restorers, the conservators, the transport, the shippers, the packers. Everything is here and it's very easy for people to buy and sell in London."
Yet. ArtHouse Contemporary, who hold their auctions in Lagos, are noticing encouraging local trends: "There's much more awareness," said Chellaram. "People all over Nigeria and Africa today are looking towards art, and in fact Kenya has opened an auction house, Uganda's having an auction this year, so there is a bit of a domino effect in Africa," she continued. "Auctions can provide a platform to showcase African art to the world."
And according to Prince Yemisi Shyllon, who's planning to open a private art museum in Lagos, the fundamental role of art should not be overshadowed by the investment appeal: "I don't believe collections should just be about collecting and enjoying art. I think it should go beyond just collecting -- it should go into the element of propagating the culture or the heritage of the people and way of life of the people.
"Not only that, it should finally go to the extent of creating a legacy."
The rise in fame of contemporary African artists on the international stage is also starting to fuel solo exhibitions abroad, such as the one offered by the Brooklyn Museum in 2013 on Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose "New World Map" went for a record £541,250 at auction in 2012.
Yet, it's not easy to decode why the trend has exploded only just recently.
According to Peppiatt, there are two reasons: "Until about 15 years ago there was no email, there was virtually no internet and you can't do these sales without modern communication.
"I also think it has to do with the general globalization of the art world. People are now much more used to seeing other cultures' art at auction."
Ghanaian artist El Anatsui.
A bright future
At the moment, large international players such as Bonhams still hold their events in Europe or the U.S. "I think it'll be a while before we start auctioning works in situ in Africa," said Peppiatt.
"We have offices in Lagos and Johannesburg, I think it will remain that way for a bit. There's also the advantage that there's a whole structure of art dealing and art selling is here in London -- the restorers, the conservators, the transport, the shippers, the packers. Everything is here and it's very easy for people to buy and sell in London."
Yet. ArtHouse Contemporary, who hold their auctions in Lagos, are noticing encouraging local trends: "There's much more awareness," said Chellaram. "People all over Nigeria and Africa today are looking towards art, and in fact Kenya has opened an auction house, Uganda's having an auction this year, so there is a bit of a domino effect in Africa," she continued. "Auctions can provide a platform to showcase African art to the world."
And according to Prince Yemisi Shyllon, who's planning to open a private art museum in Lagos, the fundamental role of art should not be overshadowed by the investment appeal: "I don't believe collections should just be about collecting and enjoying art. I think it should go beyond just collecting -- it should go into the element of propagating the culture or the heritage of the people and way of life of the people.
"Not only that, it should finally go to the extent of creating a legacy."
