What's Hot?
Netflix Still Commissioning Nigerian Films, Says NFVCB
Why I Respect, Admire Dagri -DJ Neptune
United Nations Harnesses Power Of Music For Peace...
Actor Sues Tyler Perry For $260m, Alleges Sexual...
How Attempt By International Cartel To Steal Benin...
Lead Acting Role Was Uncomfortable But I Loved...
BBNaija Season 9 Reunion Set To Premiere June...
Omoni Oboli Defends Nollywood Films, Says Hollywood Movies...
Singer Flavour Recalls How PSquare Motivated His Music...
Don Jazzy Opens Up on Missed Opportunities With...
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
The Culture Newspaper
Arts & Exhibitions

Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu breaks African art-world record again

by TCN November 21, 2023
by TCN November 21, 2023

US-based Ethiopian Julie Mehretu has once again broken the record for the highest sale price of any work by an African-born artist at auction.

Her abstract painting Walkers With the Dawn and Morning fetched $10.7m (£8.6m) at Sotheby’s in New York on Wednesday.

The piece features ink and acrylic on canvas and takes its name from a 1920s Langston Hughes poem.

Mehretu, 52, was born in Ethiopia and moved with her family to the US in 1977 at a time of political strife.

She has since become one of the most prominent names in the fast-growing contemporary African art world.

Mehretu painted Walkers With the Dawn and Morningit as part of an exhibition created in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and its impact on the US city of New Orleans.

The auction saw two bidders competing for the piece with the price gradually edging higher and higher.

It went for $9.5m, but the final cost, once fees are added, took it to the record-breaking sum of $10.7m.
Julie Mehretu’s paintingImage source, Sotheby’s

Walkers With the Dawn and Morning is named after leading Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes

Mehretu also held the previous record of $9.3m, which was set last month.

Walkers With the Dawn and Morning combines “all aspects of her inimitable style of mark making, including architectural drawing, brightly coloured vectors, and calligraphic sweeps”, Sotheby’s said.

The sale of the work is indicative of the strong interest in contemporary African art, which is now seeing a growing market for abstract work.

“We are moving beyond that initial phase to something more discerning”, Hannah O’Leary, head of Sotheby’s modern and contemporary African art department told the Art Newspaper last month.

READ More  Again, Afrobeats Goes To Nottinghill Carnival

Earlier this year, Mehretu was chosen to create BMW’s next Art Car. Her work will be painted onto a BMW car that will be part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race next year.

Source: bbc.com

AfricanagainArts ExhibitionartworldbreaksEthiopian artistfeaturedJulie Mehreturecord
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
TCN

previous post
Wizkid Hints At Taking Up Movie Roles, Explores Collaborative Options With Afolayan
next post
15 of the Best Things to Do in Cairo

You may also like

How Attempt By International Cartel To Steal Benin...

June 19, 2025

Netherlands Returns Over 100 Benin Bronzes Looted From...

June 18, 2025

The Best Nigerian Art Museums To Explore For...

June 17, 2025

German Artist Who Painted With Nails’, Guenther Uecker,...

June 12, 2025

UK’s Oldest Museum Sets Out Plan After £11.6m...

June 9, 2025

Prehistoric Giants Exhibit Set For Summer Opening

June 7, 2025

How I Turned African Heritage Into Global Dialogue...

June 7, 2025

John Madu Reimagines Van Gogh: Nigerian Artist Creates...

May 31, 2025

Ancient Bread Rises Again As Turkey Recreates 5,000-Year-Old...

May 28, 2025

Rabat Transformed Into An Open-Air Museum For Annual...

May 26, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • Netflix Still Commissioning Nigerian Films, Says NFVCB
  • Why I Respect, Admire Dagri -DJ Neptune
  • United Nations Harnesses Power Of Music For Peace In South Sudan
  • Actor Sues Tyler Perry For $260m, Alleges Sexual Harassment, Assault
  • How Attempt By International Cartel To Steal Benin Artefacts Failed — Oba Ewuare

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • Netflix Still Commissioning Nigerian Films, Says NFVCB

    June 20, 2025
  • Why I Respect, Admire Dagri -DJ Neptune

    June 20, 2025
  • United Nations Harnesses Power Of Music For Peace In South Sudan

    June 20, 2025

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2025 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Maintained by Freelart

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality