In the heart of the historic Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair will bring together galleries, collectors, artists, and cultural industry leaders from across Africa and the diaspora from May 22 to 24, 2026.
Created with the ambition of strengthening the visibility of contemporary African artists, the fair has progressively established itself as a strategic platform within the African art market. Its positioning is based on a pan-African approach combining contemporary art, curatorial innovation, and networking opportunities for cultural stakeholders.
The event comes at a time of growing international interest in contemporary African creativity. According to several art market studies, works by African artists have recorded significant growth in international sales in recent years, driven by the emergence of a new generation of collectors and increasing attention from major global cultural institutions.
The RMB Latitudes Art Fair is fully aligned with this momentum. Johannesburg, already considered one of the continent’s leading creative hubs, is further strengthening its role as a regional cultural platform alongside Lagos, Dakar, Marrakech, and Cape Town.
An African art scene in full expansion
The 2026 edition will bring together African and international galleries through exhibitions, installations, and professional networking sessions designed to foster exchanges between artists, cultural investors, and institutions.
Beyond its artistic dimension, the fair also reflects the gradual structuring of Africa’s creative economy. According to UNESCO, cultural and creative industries now represent a strategic sector capable of generating jobs, revenues, and global cultural influence.
Africa nevertheless remains underrepresented in global cultural economy flows despite its immense demographic and creative potential. Events such as the RMB Latitudes Art Fair therefore contribute to building new visibility and commercialization channels for African artists.
The choice of Shepstone Gardens is particularly symbolic. The iconic Johannesburg venue offers an immersive setting where architectural heritage and contemporary creation interact, reinforcing the cultural experience offered to visitors.
African art gains international visibility
In recent years, several African artists have seen their works enter the collections of major international institutions and achieve record levels at auctions.
At the same time, African fairs and biennales are gaining importance within the strategies of international galleries and collectors. This evolution reflects a broader transformation: African art is no longer viewed as a peripheral segment of the global market, but as one of the most dynamic spaces in contemporary creation.
In this context, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair stands out as one of the symbols of a more visible, connected, and increasingly influential cultural Africa within the global creative industries.
By bringing together African and diasporic artists alongside international market players in Johannesburg, the RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2026 confirms the acceleration of Africa’s contemporary art scene.
Beyond the exhibition itself, the event illustrates the growing power of African cultural industries and their expanding role within the global creative economy.
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