Art Basel unveiled the recipients of its inaugural Art Basel Awards, a groundbreaking initiative honoring 36 global luminaries in contemporary art and culture. Among the distinguished medalists, five African and diaspora talents—Lubaina Himid (Tanzania/United Kingdom), Ibrahim Mahama (Ghana), Meriem Bennani (Morocco/United States), Lydia Ourahmane (Algeria/United Kingdom), and Senegal’s RAW Material Company—stand out for their transformative contributions. Their work, deeply rooted in African perspectives yet universally resonant, underscores the continent’s rising influence in shaping contemporary cultural narratives.
Lubaina Himid: A Trailblazer in the Icon Artist Category
Lubaina Himid, a Tanzanian-born, UK-based artist, was named an Icon Artist medalist, reflecting her profound impact over decades. A pioneer of the British Black Arts Movement in the 1980s, Himid’s vibrant paintings, installations, and textiles weave narratives of African identity, colonial histories, and the Black diaspora. Her 2017 Turner Prize win—the first for a Black woman—marked a historic milestone, and her selection to represent Britain at the 2026 Venice Biennale solidifies her legacy. Works like Naming the Money (2004), which reimagines the lives of enslaved Africans in European courts, blend historical critique with vivid storytelling. “This award honors the stories we’ve fought to tell,” Himid said, “and I’m proud to stand with such visionary peers.”
Ibrahim Mahama: Reimagining Global Systems in Established Artist Category
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, recognized in the Established Artist category, is celebrated for his monumental installations that probe global trade, labor, and material histories. Mahama’s signature use of jute sacks—sourced from Ghana’s cocoa and coal industries—transforms everyday materials into powerful commentaries on economic systems and colonial legacies. His 2019 Venice Biennale installation A Grain of Wheat, which enveloped spaces in sack tapestries, captivated global audiences. Based in Tamale, Mahama also founded the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, nurturing emerging African artists. “Art is a way to reclaim our narratives and rebuild our futures,” Mahama stated, highlighting the communal ethos of his practice.
Meriem Bennani: A Fresh Voice in the Emerging Artist Category
Moroccan-American artist Meriem Bennani, honored in the Emerging Artist category, brings a playful yet incisive perspective to video and digital media. Born in Rabat and based in New York, Bennani blends documentary, animation, and pop culture to explore identity, migration, and globalization. Her immersive installation Party on the CAPS (2018), a fictional narrative about a diasporic community, earned acclaim for its humor and emotional depth. Recent collaborations with fashion and music platforms reflect her boundary-pushing approach. “Being part of this moment, where African stories resonate globally, is thrilling,” Bennani said, celebrating her inclusion.
Lydia Ourahmane: Exploring Displacement in the Emerging Artist Category
Algerian-British artist Lydia Ourahmane, also in the Emerging Artist category, is known for her multidisciplinary practice examining displacement, migration, and institutional power. Born in Saïda, Algeria, and now London-based, Ourahmane uses sound, sculpture, and performance to create evocative works. Her 2021 project Barzakh, which involved transporting her Algiers apartment across borders, challenged notions of home and bureaucracy. Her minimalist yet powerful approach has shone at biennials and museums worldwide. “This recognition feels like a call to keep questioning,” Ourahmane noted, reflecting on her award.
RAW Material Company: A Senegalese Beacon in the Institutions Category
Senegal’s RAW Material Company, a Dakar-based art incubator, was honored in the Institutions category for its pivotal role in advancing African contemporary art. Founded in 2008 by the late curator Koyo Kouoh (Cameroon/Senegal, 1967–2025), RAW Material Company fosters artistic innovation through residencies, exhibitions, and discourse. Kouoh, posthumously acknowledged as a jury member for the awards, leaves a legacy of curatorial excellence, having led Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town and championed African voices globally. The institution’s commitment to community-driven art practices has made it a cornerstone of the continent’s cultural landscape.
Complete List of Medalists
In addition to the African honorees, the remaining medalists include: David Hammons (United States), Joan Jonas (United States), Adrian Piper (United States), Betye Saar (United States), Cecilia Vicuña (Chile) in the Icon Artist category; Nairy Baghramian (Iran/Germany), Tony Cokes (United States), Cao Fei (China), Delcy Morelos (Colombia), Ho Tzu Nyen (Singapore) in the Established Artist category; Mohammad Alfaraj (Saudi Arabia), Pan Daijing (China), Saodat Ismailova (Uzbekistan), Sofia Salazar Rosales (Ecuador) in the Emerging Artist category; Grace Wales Bonner (United Kingdom), Formafantasma (Italy), Saidiya Hartman (United States) in the Cross-Disciplinary Creators category. The remaining 13 medalists, spanning Curators, Patrons, Allies, and Media and Storytellers categories, were not named in available sources but complete the 36 honorees.
Conclusion: The Rise of African Artistic Voices
The recognition of Himid, Mahama, Bennani, Ourahmane, and RAW Material Company at the 2025 Art Basel Awards, set to be celebrated at the Swiss fair in June 2025, marks a pivotal moment for African representation in global art. These medalists exemplify the continent’s dynamic contributions, from reimagining historical narratives to innovating new media and institutional models. Their success parallels the rising prominence of African artists on the world stage, as seen in the growing influence of figures like architect Francis Kéré (Burkina Faso), whose sustainable designs earned the 2022 Pritzker Prize, and Diébédo Francis Kéré, who continues to reshape global architectural discourse. As African artists and architects gain acclaim for their culturally rooted yet forward-thinking practices, they are not only redefining contemporary art but also inspiring a new generation to build on their legacy, ensuring Africa’s creative voices resonate for years to come.
