Ibrahim Mahama Tops ArtReview Magazine's Annual Power List, First African Artist to Achieve This feat
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama has made history by becoming the first African artist to top ArtReview magazine's annual power list. The prestigious ranking recognizes the most influential figures in the contemporary art world and is compiled by a panel of 30 anonymous experts from around the globe.
Mahama, who hails from Tamale, Ghana, has been making waves in the art world with his innovative use of found materials, including textile remnants. His practice often incorporates discarded objects such as old hospital beds and train carriages, which he transforms into thought-provoking art pieces.
The news came as a surprise to Mahama, who had first heard about ArtReview's power list while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana back in 2011. Ai Weiwei was the top-ranked artist on that list at the time. Mahama expressed his humility and gratitude upon learning of this honor, stating, "For me to be part of this, especially coming from a place like Ghana, which for many years was almost as if we were not even part of the discourse, is quite humbling."
Mahama's success has far-reaching implications, not just for the art world but also for his home country. He hopes that his achievement will inspire younger artists in Ghana to take notice and realize they are part of the global art conversation.
ArtReview magazine editor-in-chief Mark Rappolt views Mahama's appointment as a sign of shifting power dynamics within the art world. "I think you could also look at this as saying there's a realignment of where global finance sits," he observed, adding that the art world is increasingly interconnected with other fields, such as finance and culture.
Mahama's inclusion in the top 10 list is a testament to his innovative approach to art, which combines historical context with contemporary themes. His show at Edinburgh's Fruitmarket Gallery last year was particularly notable for its exploration of the history of the railway that connected Ghana between 1898 and 1923.
The news has also been welcomed by art critic Jonathan Jones, who praised Mahama's work as "as extraordinary as a great magic-realist novel." Jones noted that Mahama is now recognized alongside prominent artists such as William Kentridge and Anselm Kiefer as one of the most important artists of our time.
Mahama's latest project, which draped the Barbican in pink fabric, further solidified his reputation as an innovative artist. His dedication to creating engaging public art projects has not gone unnoticed, with many experts praising his ability to engage communities and create meaningful dialogue around art.
The Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, a 900 sq meter site that Mahama opened in Tamale in 2019, is another testament to his commitment to fostering artistic growth. The center serves as an exhibition space, library, residency space, archive, and studio – providing a platform for artists to develop their practice and engage with the local community.
As Mahama's star continues to rise, his appointment on ArtReview magazine's power list marks a significant milestone in his career. His influence extends far beyond the art world, inspiring a new generation of artists and challenging traditional notions of what it means to be part of the global art conversation.
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama has made history by becoming the first African artist to top ArtReview magazine's annual power list. The prestigious ranking recognizes the most influential figures in the contemporary art world and is compiled by a panel of 30 anonymous experts from around the globe.
Mahama, who hails from Tamale, Ghana, has been making waves in the art world with his innovative use of found materials, including textile remnants. His practice often incorporates discarded objects such as old hospital beds and train carriages, which he transforms into thought-provoking art pieces.
The news came as a surprise to Mahama, who had first heard about ArtReview's power list while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana back in 2011. Ai Weiwei was the top-ranked artist on that list at the time. Mahama expressed his humility and gratitude upon learning of this honor, stating, "For me to be part of this, especially coming from a place like Ghana, which for many years was almost as if we were not even part of the discourse, is quite humbling."
Mahama's success has far-reaching implications, not just for the art world but also for his home country. He hopes that his achievement will inspire younger artists in Ghana to take notice and realize they are part of the global art conversation.
ArtReview magazine editor-in-chief Mark Rappolt views Mahama's appointment as a sign of shifting power dynamics within the art world. "I think you could also look at this as saying there's a realignment of where global finance sits," he observed, adding that the art world is increasingly interconnected with other fields, such as finance and culture.
Mahama's inclusion in the top 10 list is a testament to his innovative approach to art, which combines historical context with contemporary themes. His show at Edinburgh's Fruitmarket Gallery last year was particularly notable for its exploration of the history of the railway that connected Ghana between 1898 and 1923.
The news has also been welcomed by art critic Jonathan Jones, who praised Mahama's work as "as extraordinary as a great magic-realist novel." Jones noted that Mahama is now recognized alongside prominent artists such as William Kentridge and Anselm Kiefer as one of the most important artists of our time.
Mahama's latest project, which draped the Barbican in pink fabric, further solidified his reputation as an innovative artist. His dedication to creating engaging public art projects has not gone unnoticed, with many experts praising his ability to engage communities and create meaningful dialogue around art.
The Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, a 900 sq meter site that Mahama opened in Tamale in 2019, is another testament to his commitment to fostering artistic growth. The center serves as an exhibition space, library, residency space, archive, and studio – providing a platform for artists to develop their practice and engage with the local community.
As Mahama's star continues to rise, his appointment on ArtReview magazine's power list marks a significant milestone in his career. His influence extends far beyond the art world, inspiring a new generation of artists and challenging traditional notions of what it means to be part of the global art conversation.
i mean its dope that he made history as 1st african artist on artreview's power list, its a testament to his innovation & grind 
but at the same time its also kinda weird that ai weiwei was top dog back in 2011 
what changed? did the art world just wake up or something? 
anyway mahama's success has far-reaching implications, it shows that ppl are taking notice & recognizing african artists' contributions to the global conversation 
and i'm all for it, more representation is always a good thing 
it's a great sign of shifting power dynamics in the art world and i think it's awesome that ai weiwei is also being recognized alongside him 
can't wait to see what ibrahim mahama comes up with next 
i mean can u even believe that ibrahim mahama is the 1st african artist on artreview magazine's power list?! 
he's always been a hidden gem in my book but now the whole world knows about him 
and mahama's inclusion on the top 10 list is a testament to that 
let's keep celebrating his genius & spreading the love for african art 
. And yeah, Mahama's latest project draped the Barbican in pink fabric... that's straight fire 
!
mahama's dedication to creating engaging public art projects and fostering artistic growth in Ghana is truly admirable 
and let's be real, it's about time we saw more african artists getting the recognition they deserve 
Mark Rappolt's comment about shifting power dynamics within the art world is so true 
the art world is increasingly interconnected with other fields, and mahama's innovative approach to art is a great example of this 
i mean we all know kwame nkrumah uni is where he first heard about it back in 2011 but still its such an amazing feat for him to be recognized globally like this! 
Mahama's rise to fame is no surprise, he's been making waves in the art world with his unique approach to art and use of recycled materials. But let's not forget all the other talented African artists who have been doing amazing work behind the scenes. We need more recognition for them too... 
this is AMAZING 
. And it's not just about individual achievement, but also about the ripple effect it has on those around us 
. So let's take a lesson from Ibrahim Mahama here - don't be afraid to dream big and share your talents with the world 