South Africa’s art scene is on the verge of a breakthrough. A new generation of artists is making relevant and innovative works that are garnering global attention. As the country’s gallery system continues to grow and new institutions like the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa make their home there, the South African art market will continue to bloom. Discover some of the country’s rising art world stars whose work is often marked by a distinct palette, atmospheric sensibility, and an interest in the natural world.
Saatchi Art’s Guide to Buying International Art: 6 Cultural Hotspots
Saatchi Art is your gateway to discovering artists from over 100 countries worldwide. In this subscriber-exclusive, we asked our expert curators to tell us which places around the world are home to the most talented up-and-coming artists.
Be among the first to discover these artists making a splash on the global art scene. And remember: Saatchi Art purchasers always enjoy stress-free, flat-rate shipping anywhere in the world.
Nigeria
Andrew Esiebo, Saatchi Art Artist
While Nigeria has always been influential on the global stage, over the last several years an interest in the country’s culture has grown significantly—from literature and film to fashion and the visual arts. At Saatchi Art, artwork sales reinforce this broader trend. Over the past year, we have seen a 180% increase in orders from Nigerian-based artists. Some of the strongest work being made in Nigeria today features eye-catching pops of color and dynamic and assertive portraits.
“Nigeria is becoming the center of cutting-edge contemporary art in Africa and attracting a wealth of fairs, exhibitions, and galleries, such as Art X Lagos and the Lagos Biennial.”
– Victoria Kennedy, Associate Curator
Dennis Osadebe, Saatchi Art Artist
“Nigeria is becoming the center of cutting-edge contemporary art in Africa and attracting a wealth of fairs, exhibitions, and galleries, such as Art X Lagos and the Lagos Biennial.”
– Victoria Kennedy, Associate Curator
Seoul
At Saatchi Art, art sales by South Korean artists have more than doubled year-over-year, and the capital’s contemporary art scene is one of the most vibrant in Asia. Seoul-based artists in particular have featured strongly in Saatchi Art’s annual “Invest in Art” report, as well as the “One to Watch” series, which highlights up-and-coming artists with critical acclaim. While artists in Seoul are experimenting with a variety of techniques and styles, much of the new work takes inspiration from the landscape and urban structures.
Photo credit: Ethan Brooke, @Seoulinspire
Anthony Georgieff, Saatchi Art Artist
“Art is a reflection of an artist’s unique vision of the world. Collecting international work can be a rewarding and eye-opening endeavor.”
– Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator and VP, Art Advisory
Portugal
Portugal has always been a fertile ground for arts and culture. The country’s art scene is marked by its welcoming and unassuming character. As tourism to the country continues to grow, the art scene is sure to keep apace and current consumer trends affirm this. At Saatchi Art, art sales by Portuguese artists were up 41% in 2018. Abstract compositions and surrealist subject matter characterize much of the impressive new work coming out of the country.
Photo credit: Gabriel Guita, @gabriel.guita
Jeff Boddy, Saatchi Art Artist
Sydney
An outpost of Saatchi Art’s The Other Art Fair, Sydney is becoming a city that is known as much for its arts scene as for its beaches. In fact, Australia as a whole is experiencing a boom in its art market: Saatchi Art saw a 50% increase in sales between 2017 and 2018. Artists in Sydney are inspired by the unique climate and topography of their region. Much of the new work coming out of the city today plays with natural motifs, abstract compositions, and scale.
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