AfriKin is delighted to unveil the eagerly awaited roster of artists, designers, performers, and scholars set to showcase their talents at the upcoming 2023 AfriKin Art Fair, recognized as Miami’s foremost contemporary Africana art extravaganza.
AfriKin Art Fair 2023 is set to take place from December 3rd to December 10th, at Maison AfriKin, nestled within the vibrant Scott Galvin Community Center in Florida.
The festivities kick off on December 3rd with a VIP opening event from 6 PM to 9 PM, followed by exhibition open hours from 11 AM to 7 PM, running from December 4th to December 10th.
Reimagining African History and Culture
Under the banner of “Celebrating the Beauty and Brilliance of Global Africa,” this year’s AfriKin Art Fair ventures into the exciting realms of Afrofuturism and traditional African aesthetics.
Through captivating visual and performing arts, it weaves an imaginative tapestry of alternate realities, challenging conventional perceptions of African history and culture.
Moreover, the fair boldly steps into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), forging a unique platform to investigate the intricate interplay between this cutting-edge technology and African fine art.
Exploring ancient influences and AI’s promise
At its core, the 2023 AfriKin Art Fair aims to showcase the profound influence of ancient Africa on contemporary visual and performing artists.
Furthermore, it delves into the game-changing potential of AI to democratize the art world.
This exhibition seeks to redefine preconceived notions of beauty while highlighting the immense value of Global Africa’s creative brilliance.
Building bridges and fostering dialogue
The AfriKin Art Fair 2023 holds a broader objective—to stimulate meaningful conversations and inspire action among those committed to addressing the needs of underserved communities.
It serves as a symbolic bridge connecting Continental Africa with the Diaspora, underscoring the shared values that unite these diverse communities.
African art as a communicator of culture
African fine art, a vital component of the fair, serves as a powerful communicator of the continent’s diverse cultures, histories, and narratives.
It offers invaluable insights into various African societies across different epochs. Simultaneously, AI holds the potential to significantly impact underserved communities, opening doors to opportunities previously beyond their reach.
Special programming at AfriKin Art Fair 2023
An Evening of Purpose (VIP Opening). Date: December 3, 2023. Time: 6 pm – 9 pm.
Dress Code: All white with a splash of African Chic. This all-white affair celebrates Black arts, culture, and spirituality, with proceeds from artwork sales funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in the arts.
Keynote by Chief Dr. Nike Davies-Okundaye from Nigeria, affectionately known as Mama Nike, is a Batik and Adire artist who is heralded as one of the most renowned pillars of African arts and culture. Be ready to enjoy art, food, music, dance, and the beautiful people of Global Africa.
AfriKin Talks: The Erasure of Black Knowledge (Artist Talk). Date: December 7, 2023. Time: 12 Noon – 2 pm.
This panel discussion will examine the implications of the recent banning of Black books in Florida and strategies for preserving Black knowledge. Check out the banned books section at the fair.
AfriKin Artist’s Talk: Navigating the Tension: Art, Expression, and the Weight of Cancel Culture. Date: December 8, 2023. Time: 7 pm – 9 pm.
This discussion will explore the complexities of being an artist in today’s social climate and the strategies employed by artists to safeguard their creative freedom. The panel will feature the following exhibited artists: Delaney George, Nzingah Oyo, Franklyn Sinanan, and Doba Afolabi.
AfriKin Talk: Rooted Futurism: Unearthing the Symbiosis between Traditional African Art, AI, and the Human Essence by French Senegalese artist Delphine Diallo. Date: December 9, 2023. Time: 7 pm – 9 pm.
This talk will embark on a transformative journey that bridges the rich tapestry of Traditional African Art with the cutting-edge world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Diallo combines artistry with activism, pushing the many possibilities of empowering women, youth, and cultural minorities through visual provocation.
AfriKin Fashion: Echoes of the Ancestors, Visions of the Digital Horizon. Date: December 10, 2023. Time: 7 pm.
This fashion runway event will juxtapose traditional African art with the avant-garde flair of artificial intelligence. It features designers from Nigeria, Senegal, and the United States.
Exhibiting artists
- Angèle Etoundi Essamba – Cameroon
- Annick Duvivier – Haiti
- Bayunga Kalieuka – D.R. Congo
- Benjamin Quarcoopome – Ghana
- Christian Allison – Nigeria
- Delaney George – United States
- Delphine Diallo – France/Senegal
- Doba Afolabi – Nigeria
- Franklyn Sinanan – Trinidad
- Joanne Hampstead – Guyana
- Kandice Knecole – United States
- Kheraba Traore – Senegal
- Luna Korme – Somalia
- Michael Chukes – United States
- Modou Gueye – Senegal
- Musah Swallah – Ghana
- Nike Okundaye – Nigeria
- Niki Lopez – United States
- Norman Reneau – Belize
- Nzingah Oyo – United States
- Obinna Makata – Nigeria
- Peter Sullivan – United States
- Philippe Dodard – Haiti
- Sam Ebohon – Nigeria
- Sanda Amadou – Benin
- Serge Diakota Mabilama – D.R. Congo
- Shaunda Holloway – United States
- Shayee Awoyomi – Nigeria
- Sidney Blu – Nigeria
- Stephen Osuchukwu – Nigeria
- Tasanee Durrett – United States
- Tola Wewe – Nigeria
- Uzoma Samuel Anyanwu – Nigeria
- Yrneh Gabon – Jamaica
- Yusuf Durudola – Nigeria
