“We always have to find ways to gather in the diaspora, this forum creates a moment of unlikely paths to cross, sit and exchange ideas and perspectives. In a way, it creates a moment in Venice to reflect on what Africa continues to give the world”
Curator and Art Advisor
“Today, while the market for Contemporary African Art has grown exponentially in the past years, the AAVF is even more necessary and urgent than ever as an independent platform for critical dialogues, fruitful exchanges, and meaningful reflections around our blooming art community operating within and outside Africa.”
Curator and Art Advisor
“Sustainable and independent platform for critical dialogues, fruitful exchanges, and meaningful reflections.”
Curator and Art Advisor
“It has built a new home for the African art world within the symbolic fortress of the institution of art: the Venice Biennale.”
Curator and Art Advisor
“I can never forget the beautiful and unexpected gathering of brilliant and committed minds of art professionals from the African continent and its Diasporas that gathered during the 2017 AAVF.”
Independent curator and art historian
“Today, my career has taken an interesting direction because of the collaborations, projects and alliances conceived of and formed.”
Dutch artist living and working in Amsterdam and Kinshasa
“A place that attracts and welcomes the people who feel it is a privilege -as well as an obligation – to make sure that privileges cascade back to the communities that live through the greatest urgencies of our time.”
Independent curator and art historian
“No other opportunity of this kind exists: total intellectual and creative freedom of thought, expression and engagement with fellow art practitioners and lovers.”
Dutch artist living and working in Amsterdam and Kinshasa
“In the midst of a Biennial where art – African art and all art- is in the business of accumulating and justifying capital, AAVF is one of these very few places where sincere and informed discussions consistently take place, beyond the testimonial, beyond the representational, beyond the material.”
Independent curator and art historian
“Unique in its ability to gather together cultural practitioners from across the African continent and its diaspora to meet and connect in person.”