Connect with us

Culture

Ethiopian artist, Julie Mehretu breaks African art-sale world record

Published

on

Ethiopian-born artist, Julie Mehretu has broken the record for the highest sale price of any work by an African artist at an auction.

The US-based artist broke her own record when her abstract painting, “Walkers With the Dawn and Morning”, sold for $10.7m (£8.6m) at an exhibition at Sotheby in New York.

According to the organizers of the auction, Mehretu’s piece features ink and acrylic on canvas and takes its name from a 1920s Langston Hughes poem.

The auction saw two bidders competing for the artwork with the price gradually edging higher and higher and finally went for $9.5m, but the final cost took it to the record-breaking sum of $10.7m.

Mehretu was also the previous record holder at $9.3m which was set last month.

The 52-year-old Mehretu was born in Ethiopia and moved with her family to the US in 1977 when political strife was at its peak in the country.

From a humble beginning, Mehretu has grown to become one of the most prominent names in African contemporary art world.

In 2005, Mehretu painted “Walkers With the Dawn” and “Morning” as part of an exhibition which created an instant response to Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the US city of New Orleans.

Earlier this year, Mehretu was chosen to create BMW’s next Art Car and her work will be painted onto a BMW car that will be part of the “24 Hours of Le Mans” race next year.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

on

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Continue Reading

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

on

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Musings From Abroad14 hours ago

World Bank doubts Ethiopia-IMF debt assessment

Some officials of the World Bank have questioned if the study supporting Ethiopia’s debt restructuring may be “faulty” after criticising...

Metro18 hours ago

Death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique hits 94

he death toll from the Cyclone Chido which stuck Mozambique last week has risen to 94 with hundreds still missing....

Tech18 hours ago

Facebook returns to Uganda after 4-year ban

After four years of being in the cooler as a result of suspension by government, Facebook, now Meta, is making...

Metro19 hours ago

Nigeria on the right path despite hardship, criticism— President Tinubu

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has insisted that the country is moving in the right direction despite the criticism of...

Metro2 days ago

Zambian NGO decries persistent corruption, says governance in 2024 marked by mixed fortunes

A Non-Governmental Organization in Zambia, the Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), has decried what it described as persistent corruption in...

Sports2 days ago

Sad day for African football as promising Kenyan star passes on

he African football fraternity was thrown into mourning following the untimely demise of promising Kenyan striker, Ezekiel Otuoma, who died...

Metro2 days ago

Nigeria: Police dismiss Amnesty Intl’s report on killing of protesters, demand apology

The Nigeria Police has rejected a report by Amnesty International that accused the force of killing protesters during the #Endbadgovernance...

Sports3 days ago

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of...

Culture3 days ago

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest...

Tech3 days ago

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

The African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has selected 20 promising tech entrepreneurs from various African technology ventures...

Trending