This critical history examines the major themes and accomplishments in African art since 1950, achieving an impressive balance between a critical re-examination of frequently discussed artists, groups and workshops and the introduction of less publicized or more recent works.

With chapters on African popular culture, the shifting identity of the African artist, national culture and migration, Contemporary African Art shows how transformations in patronage, training and literacy have brought about the birth of new genres which have been propelled onto a world stage, and now excite huge interest internationally.