Classical African art and contemporary African art: are they complementary markets ?

A panel discussion moderated by Armelle Malvoisin, journalist, art critic and curator, with:

• Didier Claes, curator of the exhibition Africa Legacy in Brussels, on view from September 4 to November 1. A leading specialist in classical African art, he is also an admirer of contemporary African art, which he presents alongside historical works at art fairs. He has participated in several editions of AKAA.
• Philippe Boutté, Director of Magnin-A gallery in Paris and an AKAA exhibitor. Last year, he participated in Parcours des Mondes in an effort to reach a collector audience interested in classical African art.
• Frantz Dufour, Founder and Director of Galerie Afrique in Paris, specialising in African art and contemporary artistic practices from the continent. He participates in AKAA, where he presents artists and works that highlight the diversity of African art scenes.

Are traditional collectors of African art, generally driven by a deep interest in Africa and its spirituality, receptive to contemporary artistic practices from the continent? Conversely, do modern art enthusiasts who, influenced by Primitivism, collect iconic African objects, develop an interest in modern and contemporary African art?

To what extent can bridges be built between these different areas of collecting? Which contemporary artists are most likely to resonate with the sensibilities of collectors of classical African art? Are they artists who reinterpret traditional forms and references, or, on the contrary, those who move away from them to develop a distinctly contemporary and international visual language?

In French