A detail of "Al Haji," a sculpture by Ghanaian artist El Anatsui. It sold for £146,500 (around $210,000) at an <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bonhams.com%2Fauctions%2F23091%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> African Art auction</a> held by Bonhams in London last October.
A detail of "Al Haji," a sculpture by Ghanaian artist El Anatsui. It sold for £146,500 (around $210,000) at an African Art auction held by Bonhams in London last October.
alex braun
A full view of "Al Haji," which stands 1.84 meters tall.
A full view of "Al Haji," which stands 1.84 meters tall.
alex braun
A piece entitled "J'aime le culeur," by Congolese painter Cheri Samba, sold for £37,500 at the same auction.
A piece entitled "J'aime le culeur," by Congolese painter Cheri Samba, sold for £37,500 at the same auction.
courtesy bonhams
Another El Anatsui piece, "The Pilgrims," comes as an ensemble of 18 elements went for £32,500.
Another El Anatsui piece, "The Pilgrims," comes as an ensemble of 18 elements went for £32,500.
courtesy bonhams
Nigerian Prince Yemisi Shyllon is a major art collector, with over 7,000 pieces which he displays at his house in Lagos.
Nigerian Prince Yemisi Shyllon is a major art collector, with over 7,000 pieces which he displays at his house in Lagos.
CNN
Shyllon, who believes contemporary African art makes for a good investment, is planning to open a private art museum.
Shyllon, who believes contemporary African art makes for a good investment, is planning to open a private art museum.
CNN
Lagos-based auction house ArtHouce Contemporary have started local auctions of contemporary African art in 2008. With two events a year, they have to date sold over 1,100 pieces for a combined $8 million.
Lagos-based auction house ArtHouce Contemporary have started local auctions of contemporary African art in 2008. With two events a year, they have to date sold over 1,100 pieces for a combined $8 million.
CNN
Giles Peppiatt of Bonhams, with a painting by Cheri Samba entitled "Je suis l'homme qui mange de la peinture," which sold for £12,500 at auction.
Giles Peppiatt of Bonhams, with a painting by Cheri Samba entitled "Je suis l'homme qui mange de la peinture," which sold for £12,500 at auction.
CNN
This painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas, entitled "The Visitor," was sold at auction in 2008 for £3.17 million ($4.9 million).
This painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas, entitled "The Visitor," was sold at auction in 2008 for £3.17 million ($4.9 million).
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"Sunflower," a piece Nigerian sculptor Olu Amoda, was co-winner of top award "Grand prix Léopold Sédar Senghor" at last year's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F05%2F26%2Fworld%2Fafrica%2Fdakar-biennale-modern-african-art%2F">Dakar Biennale.</a>
"Sunflower," a piece Nigerian sculptor Olu Amoda, was co-winner of top award "Grand prix Léopold Sédar Senghor" at last year's Dakar Biennale.
Teo Kermeliotis/CNN
Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi poses for a photograph in front of his painting entitled "Reborn Sounds of Childhood Dreams" at the Tate Modern in London.
Sudanese artist Ibrahim El-Salahi poses for a photograph in front of his painting entitled "Reborn Sounds of Childhood Dreams" at the Tate Modern in London.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nigerian artist Dilomprizulike poses near one of his pieces of art, "Waiting for Bus' (2003), at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Nigerian artist Dilomprizulike poses near one of his pieces of art, "Waiting for Bus' (2003), at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Abdoulaye Konaté, "Composition de Plumes", 2012, Textile, 205 x 140 cm,
Abdoulaye Konaté, "Composition de Plumes", 2012, Textile, 205 x 140 cm,
Courtesy Primo Marella Gallery