Affen Segun is a Nigerian self-taught artist whose distinctive style, inspired by the zesty colours and ankara fabrics worn by his Yoruba mother, pays homage to his roots. Similarly, Frank Asso, an artist and teacher from the Ivory Coast, uses traditional weaving techniques in his impressionistic rendering of daily life. His use of local materials with ochre tints evokes the camaraderie, joy and atmosphere of life on the African continent. 

Likewise, Alex Gbizié an Ivorian illustrator and painter captures the inherent joyful nature of childhood through his use of pattern. The distinctive lines in his works, according to Gbizié, are representative of the paths that our dreams and intimate ambitions take. Like Asso, Muramuzi JohnBosco draws inspiration from the traditional techniques and patterns witnessed in his childhood. From Sheema District, Uganda, JohnBosco’s artistic practice is informed by trips to the Ugandan capital, Kampala and the scenes of everyday life in an African city. 

The Ghanaian artist Joseph Kojo Hoggar combines his knowledge of classical art history and contemporary culture to create pastiches. By inserting current African themes into ‘canonical’ European works, Hoggar exposes the black figure’s subliminal knack for easily being misunderstood. Contrastingly, Qhamanande Maswana is a South African artist whose interest in daily life is clear in his works, as is his pride in his African heritage. As Maswana says, “My work engages the viewer with the roots and the beauty of black people’s culture in South Africa, especially from the uncontaminated parts. It has a modern approach so as to take the viewer through our daily life experiences." 

Osman Salifu is a Ghanaian artist whose glistening portraits of men and women showcase his advocacy against skin bleaching and its unfathomable trend in recent times. As he says, “this new body of work seeks to address the rampant skin bleaching, which has become common in black society worldwide. I literally want to make black people aware of how beautiful and unique our skin colour can be.” 

From representations of the fast pace of city life, to quieter more focused and confronting portraits of African youth, the show unifies and celebrates the inherent pride of a shared black heritage and experience.