Ending 7th Jun, 2026 16:00
Olympia Timed: Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Art 2026
328
FAMAKAN MAGASSA (MALIAN B.1997)
MOTHER IN LOVE
signed and dated N.F Magassa / 21 lower right
acrylic on canvas
76.5 x 68.5cm; 30 1/8 x 27in
unframed
Property from a Very Important Private Collection, UK
Provenance
Albertz Benda Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner
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.
MOTHER IN LOVE
signed and dated N.F Magassa / 21 lower right
acrylic on canvas
76.5 x 68.5cm; 30 1/8 x 27in
unframed
Property from a Very Important Private Collection, UK
Provenance
Albertz Benda Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner
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: Olympia Timed: Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Art 2026, ending 7th Jun, 2026
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 Rabab Nemr, Ahmed Farid, Seif Wanly and Fateh Moudarres. 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.
