Collecting Fine Art 101: Osei Bonsu's Tips on Curating Art for Your Home
Sans titre, 2019, from the series Ca va Aller from African Art Now
Osei Bonsu is a British-Ghanaian curator, critic, and art historian who is currently a curator of international art at Tate Modern in London. His new book African Art Now (Chronicle Books, $55), available now, is a deluxe hardcover book showcasing hundreds of paintings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, collages, installations, and more from 50 of the most exciting African artists working today.
Art historian Osei Bonsu, photo by Noelle Hoeppe
African Art Now, Chronicle Books
Make sure to pick up African Art Now which features gorgeous, full-color reproductions of the work of some of the top contemporary African artists of today. As this book shows, contemporary African art is undergoing a cultural and artistic renaissance. No longer confined to the margins of institutional and commercial visibility, African art has taken its place at the center of a global narrative of permanent change.
Xolani Ngayi, eStanela, 2009, from the series Country Girls from African Art Now
Bonsu has lectured widely on modern and contemporary African art and has written for a wide variety of arts publications including ArtReview, Frieze, and Vogue. In 2020, he was named one of Apollo magazine’s “40 under 40” leading African voices. We thought it would be interesting to get his take on curating fine art for those looking to start a collection for their home.
KW: Why is art such an essential element in a home?
Osei Bonsu: “Art is something people connect to an idea of belonging or a sense of place. For many, however, the very idea of owning an original artwork is simply unachievable. People may not always be aware that there are so many ways to live with art; you might discover art in an online auction or thrift shop, you might collect a print from a museum, or collect coffee table books full of rich illustrations.
For my book African Art Now, I tried to address readers who may be new to the field of contemporary African art. I hope that by reading the book, readers feel inspired to learn more about the diverse histories, cultures, and visual expressions that inform the way artists make their work.
The book might serve as a starting point for someone who wants to support contemporary African art, which is fast becoming one of the most dynamic and creative areas in the international art market.”
MRS DJENEBA DOS by Joana Choumali from African Art Now
When creating a vibe for your home, what are some of the moods that art can convey?
OB: “I try not to think about art as setting a mood as such. That usually comes from the temporary elements of a home like food, music, and good company! The key is to live with objects that tell a story about who you are or where you have been. I often think of the Ashanti stools I grew up with as a child in a mixed British and Ghanaian household. These simple and elegant stools were traditionally used as the royal and divine thrones of kings of the Ashanti people and the ultimate symbol of power. You can buy them nowadays from tourist markets throughout Ghana and West Africa, but they still tell a story using various signs and symbols.
One of the artists in African Art Now, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, uses references to West African Yoruba deities in his richly colored paintings. Oftentimes, his palette is drawn from the Nigerian landscape. Capturing the sacred relationship between spirituality and nature, his works are filled with a sense of atmosphere and would likely transform any room!”
I've read that it's best to start with small sections of your home when finding art instead of purchasing a big feature piece for behind the couch. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
OB: “I believe that such rules are made to be broken. I would encourage anyone who loves a work of art or pieces of design to build the room around it. It could be a painting on a matchbox or an enormous hand-carved sculpture; the spark of inspiration can come from anywhere.
African Art Now book includes artists such as Massinissa Selmani, who create works on paper about political events and fictional scenarios. His work is sometimes drawn on tiny pieces of paper that would otherwise have little to no value. What if a person designed their entire home around a strange little drawing of a blue dog peering through a fence? The possibilities are endless!”
Sleep, Crawl and Carry, When Dust Settles, 2018, Installation view, from African Art Now
Budget and personal style are big considerations when buying art. It can be intimidating for a newbie. What are some of your best tips for curating art for your home?
OB: “I wrote the book African Art Now for anyone who is curious to learn more about contemporary African art. Personally, I would say that books (be they fiction or history, cookbooks or artbooks) are a great way to add warmth and character to a home.
When I was a student, I would go to charity shops in Notting Hill, where you could find old Tate and Royal Academy catalogues. I remember buying a Richard Long book for $5 and feeling as if I’d won the lottery.
The great thing about most books, the good ones at least, is that they follow you throughout your life, long after your tastes and finances have changed. My hope is that African Art Now will live with people for a long time, not just because it’s my book, but because the artists deserve a place in people’s hearts and minds. Thank you!”
Thank you, Osei!
