There are so many contemporary African artists and

painters scattered across Africa, in the Americas and
the rest of the world.

The online platform has brought collectors to
the artist’s doorsteps and at convenience for all.

Let me digress a little bit.

Before now many artists had never made an inroad
into the collector’s space.

Also, reputable galleries have a hard time
in discovering the up and coming creative individuals.

The resources may not even be there to investigate
and locate these African artists.

There are also the challenges of logistics in
getting across to them.

Yet their works are profound, instructive
and have great appeal for the soul.

For instance, it was by the very conscious effort of
late Okwui Enwezor who brought more African artists and
others at the fringes to the attention of the art world.

In 2002, Okwui, as a curator, cherry picked
fringe artists of diverse styles to exhibit at the
Documenta 11 at Kassel in, Germany.

May his soul rest in peace!

(Yours truly also exhibited his photographic works
at that big five yearly event.)

Today, many artists still struggle for recognition
and attention for their works.

The alternative route beyond the physical galleries
includes the online galleries and the social media,
such as Instagram.

These are managed by the artists themselves;
while some are hosted by third party website platforms
such as Saatchi and a few others.

Many even make their artworks available as
merchandise such as T-Shirts and more.

So you can now have at your finger tip quality
African paintings and artworks,
even prints by African artists, right where you are.

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Have you seen my arts and shop mart?

You can buy your art from a reputable gallery,
directly from the artist or buy from an auction house.

Today, artworks and paintings are increasingly being collected
through online gallery but you must apply caution.

Art and paintings being a physical item,
you probably want to touch and feel.

But by virtue of distance from a gallery of your choice,
or limited collections in a gallery,
then an online gallery is the way to go.

You may ask for the assistance of a genuine art expert
who could put you through.

However the final decision and choice ought to be yours.

If it is for investment purposes, it is only a guess
how the art work in question and the artist would be
in a higher demand and the future price.

And if auction houses are interested in reselling
such works that would be a welcome expectation.

If you are collecting for the joy the artwork brings you,
that is also a good thing.

In fact, in many cases, most people buy paintings for beautify
 their spaces and for emotional connections.

There are reputable online galleries or an extension of
their physical gallery of reputable ones.

What you do is take your time to go through their collections
if you are in their physical premises or through their free catalogue
if you request for them.

And again, you can browse through their websites
safely and shortlist your preferences.

And place your order for your collections.

You are only debited after receiving the work
and you are satisfied with it.

The online galleries serve as major advantages for many artists.

There are no gatekeepers being curators and gallery owners.

This is good for upcoming artist and African artists
and others around the world.
You as a collector have much choice, at your fingertips.

If an artist has built up a reputation, you can order
from his or her website.

Upcoming artists,  contemporary artists from Africa and others
use third party reputable online galleries like Saatchi
as an intermediary to sell their works.

Fine art America is another one too.

As for me my works are on the platform on Saatchi Online,
when my work is sold.

I ship to the collector and once he is happy with it;

days after, Saatchi is notified and I get paid.

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Have you seen my arts and shop mart?

Two art works may appear the same.

Painted by two different artists.

You almost couldn’t differentiate the works.

How come both carry a lot of differences in prices?

 

It is been argued or concluded that the artist

long standing reputation and demand of his works

is one of the biggest indicators of price differences.

A simple line drawn by a Picasso and signed in the art world

would go at a much higher price than

a newbie drawing diligently the same line.

So it takes time to command higher fees.

The more consistent an artist is, the higher the demand
for the work and therefore having a following.

The nurtured tribe commands a higher price.

A work does not stand alone even if it is very good.

And of course amongst many other reasons,

a stroke of luck beckons,
if a person of influence stumbles on an emerging artist
and collects such works.

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Have you seen my arts and shop mart?