By Nii B. Andrews.
London, New York and Paris have been the main centers for the contemporary African art (CAA) market outside Africa.
In Paris, the auction house Cornette de Saint Cyr has led the way with a unique strategy of selling CAA with other contemporary art.
The practice of including CAA with pieces of contemporary art from all over the world in a single auction event is a step in the right direction and should be encouraged and emulated by other reputable auction houses.
It is intellectually and culturally sound and demolishes the ahistorical narrative often directed towards CAA.
Cornette de Saint Cyr next auction of contemporary art is scheduled for June 21st 2.30pm in Paris.
It will feature a total of 146 lots.
The lots include pieces by among others – Keith Haring, Serge Poliakoff, Sol Lewitt, alongside those of Malick Sidibe, Barthelemy Toguo, Monsengwo Kejwamfi (Moke), Fatma Haddad (Baya), Cheri Samba and Seydou Keita.
There are over 40 lots of CAA in the contemporary art auction.
Other African artists with pieces in the sale include George Lilanga and Seyni Awa Camara.
A steady increase has been reported in the Parisian market share of CAA primarily due to the efforts of the auction house, Cornette de Saint Cyr.
It is expected that the Parisian trend will continue and that new sales records for the work of individual artists will be established.