29th Oct, 2025 12:00
Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art
29
FAMAKAN MAGASSA (MALIAN B.1997)
SOIF DE TENDRESSE
signed and dated MF Magassa 21 lower right
acrylic on canvas
80 x 66cm; 31 1/2 x 26in
unframed
Property from a Very Important Private Collection, UK
Provenance
Albertz Benda, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited
New York, Albertz Benda, Famakan Magassa: Soifs, 2022
A rising voice in contemporary African art, Famakan Magassa graduated from the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia Balla Fasséké Kouyaté in Bamako and was awarded the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize in 2023. The same year, he presented his first solo institutional exhibition at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, confirming his status as one of the most dynamic young artists of his generation.
With the present works, Magassa’s signature elongated figures inhabit a surreal world that oscillates between satire and allegory. Rooted in the visual languages of West African folklore yet attuned to global contemporary art, Magassa’s paintings reveal the enduring power of irony and imagination as tools for social reflection. Magassa has shown internationally in Paris, London, Miami, Ghana, and Vienna. His work has been featured by Artsy, Hyperallergic, Artnet, The Observer, L’Oeuil and ArtsMagazine.
SOIF DE TENDRESSE
signed and dated MF Magassa 21 lower right
acrylic on canvas
80 x 66cm; 31 1/2 x 26in
unframed
Property from a Very Important Private Collection, UK
Provenance
Albertz Benda, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited
New York, Albertz Benda, Famakan Magassa: Soifs, 2022
A rising voice in contemporary African art, Famakan Magassa graduated from the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia Balla Fasséké Kouyaté in Bamako and was awarded the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize in 2023. The same year, he presented his first solo institutional exhibition at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, confirming his status as one of the most dynamic young artists of his generation.
With the present works, Magassa’s signature elongated figures inhabit a surreal world that oscillates between satire and allegory. Rooted in the visual languages of West African folklore yet attuned to global contemporary art, Magassa’s paintings reveal the enduring power of irony and imagination as tools for social reflection. Magassa has shown internationally in Paris, London, Miami, Ghana, and Vienna. His work has been featured by Artsy, Hyperallergic, Artnet, The Observer, L’Oeuil and ArtsMagazine.
Auction: Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art, 29th Oct, 2025
If you want to start collecting striking modern and contemporary art in a newly developing market, our sales are for you. Each spring and autumn, the Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Department hold tightly curated, live and online auctions. Expect to find Arab artists such as Tahia Halim, Seif Wanly, Mahmoud Said and Mohanna Durra. African artists featured have ranged from modern masters such as Ablade Glover, Sam Ntiro and Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, to contemporary artists George Lilanga, Jilali Gharbaoui, Famakan Magassa, Christano Mangovo, Oluwole Omofemi, Esther Mahlangu and Brett Seiler.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 26th October: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 27th October: 10am to 8pm (Drinks 5-8pm)
Tuesday 28th October: 10am to 5pm
