Future Art of Africa

We meet the artist questioning whether South Africa has lived up to its promise to be a “Rainbow Nation.” Athi Patra Ruga takes us on a tour of his new exhibition, Of Gods, Rainbows and Omissions - a series of highly charged films, performances and photographs which questions South Africa’s post-apartheid identity.

What is Afro-futurism? From the sci-fi funk of the 1970s to the creation of Wakanda, the home of Marvel’s Black Panther, the writer Ytasha Womack breaks down what Afrofuturism is and why viewing the future through a black cultural lens is a positive step for all.

We take a look into the future of African art with the artists Zina Saro-Wiwa and Paul Onditi and the publisher Anna-Alix Koffi. They discuss how the art scene across the continent is developing into a multi-million dollar industry and they share their views on the ideas and the artists that will continue to shape African art in the years to come.

Plus has a song, a film or a book ever changed the way you see the world? The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo, shares the story of the Senegalese book which made her question the tension between modernity and tradition in her life and her community.

Presented by Tina Daheley

Image: Night of the Long Knives by artist Athi-Patra Ruga. Credit : Athi-Patra Ruga and WHATIFTHEWORLD. Photography: Hayden Phipps